Opinion ID: 1195082
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Special verdict allegedly flawed

Text: Defendant complains that the court prepared the sentencing order prior to hearing argument and failed to complete a written special verdict form. We have recently found that such a procedure does not constitute error. See Walden, 183 Ariz. at 620, 905 P.2d at 999. It was acceptable for the judge to read some of his findings from the original sentencing into the record where, as here, he properly considered everything that had been submitted. See supra Part III(B). Defendant's claim that the lack of a written special verdict jeopardized his ability to prepare an appeal must also fail. See State v. McKinney, 185 Ariz. 567, 584-85, 917 P.2d 1214, 1231-32 (1996). The suggestion that he does not know the basis for his sentence is untenable. The minute entry and transcript of the proceedings clearly detail the court's reasoning.