After a nightclub bouncer was shot, Mr. Sanders was charged with attempted first-degree murder. Before his trial, the judge ruled that he was a habitual violent felony offender. The jury convicted Mr. Sanders of a lesser charge: attempted second-degree murder with a firearm. Under the sentencing guidelines, he could have been sentenced to a prison term of not quite 10 years. Citing Florida's 10-20-Life law, the judge sentenced him to life in prison. Mr. Sanders appealed to the Second District Court of Appeal. He argued that because the jury convicted him of a lesser charge he could not be given a sentence that might have been imposed under the original charge. The 2nd DCA upheld his sentence but asked the Florida Supreme Court to address the issue.