Opinion ID: 1252842
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Aggravating CircumstancePecuniary Gain

Text: ¶ 17 Our view, expressed in White I, remains unchanged. The record presents clear and forceful evidence of defendant's involvement in a calculated scheme to take the life of David Johnson in order to achieve pecuniary gain. We conclude, from the totality of evidence, that except for defendant's anticipation of a substantial life insurance payout, he would not have killed the victim. Had his interest been nonpecuniary, focused solely on an infatuation with Susan as claimed, defendant could have achieved his stated goal simply by awaiting completion of a divorce proceeding between Susan and David. But to do so was not part of the plan, and the marriage had taken place a mere three weeks earlier. The clear impetus behind the murder, in light of all the facts, was the expectation of quick financial gain. The record contains nothing of consequence to refute this conclusion. Accordingly, we turn to an analysis of proffered nonstatutory mitigating factors.