Opinion ID: 1059740
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Aggravating Factors

Text: Walker asserts that the Commonwealth failed to carry the burden imposed upon it by Code § 19.2-264.4(C) to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he would be a continuing threat to society, or that his conduct in committing the murders was outrageously vile, horrible, or inhuman, in that it involved depravity of mind or aggravated battery. This argument is without merit. With regard to future dangerousness, the Commonwealth introduced Walker's prior convictions for carnal knowledge, forgery, assault, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The evidence also showed that Walker regularly stole from friends and acquaintances and, in a rage, had punched a pregnant woman in the stomach. In addition, as the trial court noted in imposing sentence in accordance with the jury's recommendation, the commission of two brutal, unprovoked murders within a six month period is a strong indication ... that [Walker] is prone towards violence. With regard to vileness, the Commonwealth's evidence supports two of the alternative factors which can support a finding of vileness  aggravated battery and depravity of mind. See Goins, 251 Va. at 468, 470 S.E.2d at 131 (proof of any one of these statutory components will support a finding of vileness). Aggravated battery is a battery which qualitatively and quantitatively, is more culpable than the minimum necessary to accomplish an act of murder. M. Smith v. Commonwealth, 219 Va. 455, 478, 248 S.E.2d 135, 149 (1978), cert. denied, 441 U.S. 967, 99 S.Ct. 2419, 60 L.Ed.2d 1074 (1979). In this case Beale was shot three times, and any one of the shots could have been fatal. Walker shot Threat seven times. These multiple gunshots establish aggravated battery. Goins, 251 Va. at 468, 470 S.E.2d at 131. Walker's actions established depravity of mind, that is, a degree of moral turpitude and psychical debasement surpassing that inherent in the definition of ordinary legal malice and premeditation. M. Smith, 219 Va. at 478, 248 S.E.2d at 149. Walker shot his victims in front of their loved ones and family members, after having forcibly invaded the sanctity of their homes. The evidence showed that the killings were unprovoked, premeditated, and methodical. Walker showed no mercy toward his victims or their loved ones. Based on this evidence, we conclude that the Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Walker would be a continuing serious threat to society and that his conduct in committing the murders was vile. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in refusing to strike the Commonwealth's evidence of the aggravating factors.