Newsome

Defendants Sheldon Newsome and Eugene G. Redman, who both have criminal records that include two serious felony convictions, robbed at gunpoint the occupants of a house that was under police surveillance for suspected drug activity. Newsome later threatened two of the victims. Newsome was sentenced to an aggregate determinate term of 24 years and a life sentence with a minimum term of 125 years. Redman was sentenced to 22 years and a life sentence with a minimum of 75 years.

In the published portion of this opinion, we address an issue the parties have not raised. We determine that consecutive sentences were not mandatory under the “Three Strikes” law and the trial court misunderstood the scope of its discretion as to this aspect of sentencing. Accordingly, we remand for resentencing. In the unpublished portion, we address defendants’ contentions. They raise numerous challenges to the Three Strikes law and to established jury instructions; each joins in the other’s arguments. In addition, Newsome contends it was an abuse of discretion not to sever the charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. Redman contends the trial court lacked jurisdiction because an information…