Opinion ID: 1060523
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Jury Findings

Text: Based on this proof, the jury found the following aggravating circumstances as to each defendant on each of the three murder convictions: (1) [t]he defendant was previously convicted of one (1) or more felonies, other than the present charge, whose statutory elements involve the use of violence to the person; (2) [t]he murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death; (3) [t]he murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in committing, or was an accomplice in the commission of, or was attempting to commit, or was fleeing after committing or attempting to commit, any first degree murder, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, kidnapping, aircraft piracy; or unlawful throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; (4) [t]he defendant committed mass murder, which is defined as the murder of three (3) or more persons within the state of Tennessee within a period of forty-eight (48) months, and perpetrated in a similar fashion in a common scheme or plan. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-204(2), (5), (7), and (12) (Supp.1994). [6] Finding that these aggravating circumstances outweighed mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury imposed the death sentence as to each defendant for each of the three murder convictions. [7]