Opinion ID: 2618212
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Utter Disregard for Human Life

Text: The appellant challenges the utter disregard for human life language of I.C. § 19-2515(g)(6). We have previously defined this language in State v. Osborn, 102 Idaho 405, 631 P.2d 187 (1981), as reflective of acts or circumstances surrounding the crime which exhibit the highest, the utmost, callous disregard for human life, i.e., the cold-blooded, pitiless slayer. We reaffirmed the constitutionality of this language and added further to the definition in State v. Fain, 116 Idaho 82, 774 P.2d 252 (1989). In Fain we stated that this language does not refer to the outrageousness of the conduct, but the defendant's lack of conscientious scruples in killing another human being. We have then consistently upheld the constitutionality of this provision. State v. Pizzuto, 119 Idaho 742, 810 P.2d 680 (1991); State v. Paz, 118 Idaho 542, 798 P.2d 1 (1990); State v. Charboneau, 116 Idaho 129, 774 P.2d 299 (1989). In reviewing the application of this provision to the facts in this case, it is evident that no constitutional violation occurred. The appellant killed the Moreys without provocation and without any thought of their value as human beings. The appellant killed them simply because they were there. The circumstances surrounding this crime support the trial court's finding of utter disregard for human life.