Opinion ID: 1187714
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: This court's mandatory review pursuant to NRS 177.055(2)

Text: Despite Geary's valid waiver of his appeal, this court must conduct a mandatory review pursuant to NRS 177.055(2). See Calambro, 111 Nev. at 1020, 900 P.2d at 343; Flanagan v. State, 105 Nev. 135, 140, 771 P.2d 588, 591 (1989). NRS 177.055(2) requires this court to review whether the evidence supports the aggravating circumstances, whether the death sentence was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any arbitrary factor, and whether the death sentence is excessive, considering the crime and the defendant. Here, the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates the existence of the aggravating circumstances. There is no dispute that Geary murdered Morris in 1973 and that he was on parole at the time of the Colvin murder in 1992. Further, in Geary I, 110 Nev. at 269, 871 P.2d at 932, this court already reviewed the evidence supporting the aggravating circumstances. Next, after reviewing the record, we conclude that the death sentence was not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any arbitrary factor, nor is the sentence excessive. The state presented evidence of the brutal nature of the Colvin murder and that Geary chose to consume alcohol despite knowing that he becomes violent when drunk, as evidenced by the Morris murder. The state emphasized that Geary killed a man who was trying to help him by giving him a place to live and that he had killed previously. The defense presented evidence that Geary was a model prisoner and had no disciplinary infractions while incarcerated for the Morris murder. Testifying in his defense were, among others, numerous prison guards, prison wardens, the prison psychologist for whom Geary worked, and the former dean of the National Judicial College. Despite the quantity and quality of mitigating evidence, we conclude that the sentence of death is not excessive and was not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any arbitrary factor. Accordingly, we affirm Geary's conviction and sentence of death. [2]