Opinion ID: 2611383
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Prior Conviction of a Serious Offense: 13-703(F)(2)

Text: The trial court found beyond a reasonable doubt that Rienhardt had previously been convicted of a crime of violence, and that the (F)(2) aggravator was therefore present. Rienhardt does not challenge this finding. We note that the trial court incorrectly applied the older (F)(2) factor requiring a finding of a crime of violence. In 1993, the legislature amended A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(2) to apply to prior convictions for a serious offense, rather than a prior conviction for a felony involving the use or threat of violence. Because Rienhardt committed the murder in 1995, the trial court should have determined whether Rienhardt's prior conviction for aggravated assault constituted a serious offense under the new (F)(2). We find that the (F)(2) aggravator exists, because the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Rienhardt had previously been convicted of a serious offense as defined under A.R.S. § 13-703(H)(4): aggravated assault committed by the use, threatened use or exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.