Opinion ID: 2258993
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Weight of the Evidence Penalty Phase

Text: Appellant contends that the penalty phase verdict was against the weight of the evidence. Specifically, he asserts that no reasonable jury could have fairly concluded that the one aggravating factor outweighed the one mitigating factor so as to warrant the death penalty. He argues that the verdict could have only been the result of confusion, bias or prejudice. In capital prosecutions it is exclusively for the jury to determine whether any mitigating factors exist, and if so, whether they outweigh credible aggravating circumstances. Mitchell, supra at 556, 599 A.2d at 629. In the instant case, the record clearly shows that the jury found an aggravating circumstance under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(d)(6), that appellant committed the murder while committing a felony (burglary). The jury further found the mitigating circumstance under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(e)(8), that appellant's personality changed when he was intoxicated by alcohol. However, the jury found that the aggravating circumstance outweighed the mitigating circumstance and on October 25, 1994, the trial court imposed the jury's sentence of death for the first degree murder conviction and additionally sentenced appellant to serve an aggregate term of 6 to 12 years imprisonment. This Court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the fact finder when nothing in the record suggests that the jury considered any improper sentencing factors.