Opinion ID: 1210792
Heading Depth: 7
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Fausto Letter

Text: ¶ 40 About one month after his arrest, Greene wrote to his friend Joseph Fausto (a.k.a.Dr.G.Jones). The trial court noted that in the letter Greene had no qualms about stating that he is the `wrong white boy' to be picked up by a `faggot' who ended up with `his fuckin' skull caved in.'  Tr. of Aug. 26, 1996, at 7. The court concluded that Greene was brag[ging] about his conduct because he enjoyed caving in the victim's skull. Id. We agree that the statements constitute bragging and show a tremendous lack of remorse. In some cases, bragging about a crime is sufficient proof of relishing where the defendant's statements provide clear insight into his state of mind at the time of the killing. See, e.g., State v. West, 176 Ariz. 432, 862 P.2d 192 (1993); State v. Runningeagle, 176 Ariz. 59, 65, 859 P.2d 169, 175 (1993) (finding relishing where defendant laughed as he returned to the car after the murder and bragged that he had been in a good fight). We do not believe, however, that Greene's statements show beyond a reasonable doubt that he actually enjoyed the killing, or reveal his state of mind at or near the time of the killing.