Opinion ID: 784041
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial Court Weighing

Text: 62 Pursuant to Ohio Rev.Code § 2929.03(D)(3), the trial court weighed the aggravating factors against the mitigating factors. 6 The court noted that by its verdict, the three-judge panel unanimously found Smith guilty of specifications I and II as to Count One and specifications I and II as to Count Two. The court then assessed the mitigating factors. Regarding the nature and circumstances of the offense, the court found that [t]here is absolutely no question that the defendant purposely, coldly and brutally killed Mary Bradford while committing the offenses of rape and aggravated robbery. He stabbed the victim ten times and then raped her as the life drained from her body. This is not a mitigating factor and certainly does not militate for mercy. As to the character and background of the offender, the court stated: 63 The history, character, and background of the offender. — As discussed earlier the defendant had a difficult childhood. As a result, he developed personality disorders which adversely affected his ability to relate to others. He is unable to appreciate the needs of others and has little regard for human life. This panel recognizes Smith's personality disorders and difficult childhood as a mitigating factor. 64 The sentencing panel rejected Smith's argument that the victim provoked him because she came at him with a knife. The court observed that Bradford was a slight woman who suffered from a lung ailment that required her to keep a breathing device. The sentencing panel also found no evidence of duress, coercion or strong provocation. The court found that even if the cocaine was stolen, this was not strong provocation. As for the third mitigating factor under § 2929.04(B), the trial court held that Smith did not suffer from a mental disease or defect at the time of the crime, and specifically noted that Smith did not claim insanity at trial. 65 Smith's youth was not a factor, nor his lack of significant history of criminal convictions. Further, since he was the principal and only offender, his degree of participation in the crime was not a mitigating factor. Finally, as to the catchall factors, the sentencing panel noted that although Smith claimed to be drunk and high on the night of the offense, there was no evidence presented to indicate that Smith was not in complete control of his faculties at the time. 66 In weighing the mitigating factors against the aggravating factors, the sentencing panel concluded: A careful and meticulous review of the mitigating factors discloses that the defendant had a difficult childhood. He had no real family to take care of him — nurture him. There is a history of mental illness in his family. As a result, Smith grew up with a personality disorder that affected his ability to form personal relationships or to appreciate the needs and feelings of others. He became cold and unfeeling with a lack of regard for human life. He developed a specific discomfort and anger toward women. 67 It is the opinion of this three-judge panel that the mitigating factors present pale before the fact that the defendant's actions were plotted, vicious, persistent and utterly callous. Mary Bradford was not stabbed once but ten times. She then had to suffer the final indignities of being raped by Smith while she lay dying and then having her property stolen. It is clear that the defendant went to her apartment to obtain restitution. He obtained it in a violent and ruthless manner, with absolutely no regard for the life of Mary Bradford. We find no conduct or provocation on the part of Mary Bradford which would warrant the defendant's lethal response. 68 The panel unanimously concluded that the aggravating circumstances outweighed all the mitigating factors Smith advanced, and imposed the death penalty on each murder count. The panel also sentenced Smith to a minimum term of ten years and a maximum term of twenty-five years, with ten years actual incarceration to run consecutively, as to Count III (rape) and Count IV (aggravated robbery).