Opinion ID: 867378
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prior Conviction Subject to a Life Sentence

Text: ¶ 98 To establish the (F)(1) aggravator, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [t]he defendant has been convicted of another offense in the United States for which under Arizona law a sentence of life imprisonment or death was imposable. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(1). As long as the prior conviction is entered before the sentencing hearing, the conviction may support the (F)(1) aggravator even if it is committed before, contemporaneous with, or after the capital homicide. State v. Moody, 208 Ariz. 424, 470 ¶ 215, 94 P.3d 1119, 1165 (2004); State v. Gretzler, 135 Ariz. 42, 57 n. 2, 659 P.2d 1, 16 n. 2 (1983). ¶ 99 Tucker was found guilty of sexual assault pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-1406 (Supp. 1999) and sentenced to twenty-five years to life imprisonment. We affirmed this conviction and sentence in Tucker I. 205 Ariz. at 159 ¶ 1, 170 ¶ 69, 68 P.3d at 112, 123. Thus, the (F)(1) aggravator was proven beyond a reasonable doubt.