State v. Wanrow

SCHWAB, C. J.

We previously reversed defendant’s sentence for negligent homicide. State v. Wanrow, 30 Or App 75, 566 P2d 533 (1977). On remand, the trial court resentenced defendant to a term of probation, one condition being that defendant "make reparation in the amount of $7,100 to the estate of [the homicide victim].” Defendant again appeals, challenging this condition of probation. We again reverse.

In 1977 the legislature adopted a new statute governing restitution as a component of criminal sentences. Or Laws 1977, ch 371, p 304, codified as ORS 137.103-137.109, 137.540, 144.275, 161.675-161.685. The trial court’s order on resentencing cites the post-1977 version of one of these statutes. The court’s reliance on a sentencing statute enacted after defendant’s criminal act was error. State v. Harvey, 35 Or App 719, 582 P2d 476 (1978). At the time of defendant’s criminal act, ORS 137.540(10) provided:

"The court shall determine, and may at any time modify, the conditions of probation, which may include, as well as any others, that the probationer shall* * * [m]ake reparation or restitution to the aggrieved party for the damage or loss caused by offense, in an amount to be determined by the court.”

In State v. Stalheim, 275 Or 683, 688, 552 P2d 829 (1976), the Supreme Court construed " 'aggrieved party’ to refer to the direct victim of a crime, and not to other persons who suffer loss because of the victim’s death or injury.” Applying this rule, the Supreme Court held that a defendant convicted of two counts of negligent homicide could not be ordered to pay "restitution” to a man who was the husband of one victim and the father of the other victim.

Based upon the Stalheim reasoning and result, we conclude that the estate of a homicide victim is not the direct victim of a crime. It follows that, under the pre-1977 version of ORS 137.540(10), the trial court *16had no authority to order "restitution” to the estate of the victim in this case.

Reversed and remanded for resentencing.