Opinion ID: 867274
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Expert Testimony on the Victim's Suffering

Text: ¶24 The medical examiner testified during the aggravation phase that Ashley had suffered excruciating pain. Villalobos does not dispute that this testimony was relevant to prove the murder was especially cruel under A.R.S. § 13-751(F)(6). See State v. Morris, 215 Ariz. 324, 338 ¶ 61, 160 P.3d 203, 217 (2007) (holding that the (F)(6) cruelty aggravator requires proof that the victim was conscious and suffered physical pain or mental anguish during ... some portion of the crime and that the defendant knew or should have known the victim would suffer). Instead, he argues that the medical examiner was not qualified to testify on this subject because he was certified only in pathology and had not ascertained a patient's pain level for ten years. ¶25 Expert testimony is appropriate if scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue. Ariz. R. Evid. 702. A witness can qualify as an expert through requisite knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education. Id. We review the admission of expert testimony for abuse of discretion. State v. Davolt, 207 Ariz. 191, 210 ¶ 69, 84 P.3d 456, 475 (2004). ¶26 The superior court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the medical examiner to testify about the victim's pain. The medical examiner had extensive medical training and experience in China, had completed two fellowships and a pathology residence in the United States, and, in addition to conducting autopsies, had treated live patients during his fellowships. ¶27 The medical examiner's specialization in pathology did not disqualify him from giving expert testimony on pain. See Morris, 215 Ariz. at 338 ¶ 61, 160 P.3d at 217 (involving pathologist testimony of pain levels); State v. Sansing, 206 Ariz. 232, 236 ¶ 12, 77 P.3d 30, 34 (2003) (same); State v. Maturana, 180 Ariz. 126, 132, 882 P.2d 933, 939 (1994) (same). Instead, the physician's certification went only to the weight of his testimony. See Davolt, 207 Ariz. at 210 ¶ 70, 84 P.3d at 475.