Opinion ID: 867266
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence to Prove (F)(6) Aggravator

Text: ¶ 11 Chappell argues that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's finding that the drowning was especially cruel. See A.R.S. § 13-751(F)(6). Cruelty involves the pain and distress visited upon the victim[ ] and may be found when the victim consciously experienced physical or mental pain prior to death, and the defendant knew or should have known that suffering would occur. State v. Martinez, 218 Ariz. 421, 436 ¶ 70, 189 P.3d 348, 363 (2008) (citation and internal quotations omitted); accord Morris, 215 Ariz. at 338 ¶ 61, 341 ¶ 79, 160 P.3d at 217, 220; State v. Trostle, 191 Ariz. 4, 18, 951 P.2d 869, 883 (1997). In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim, [we review] the record to determine whether substantial evidence supports the jury's finding. State v. Roque, 213 Ariz. 193, 218 ¶ 93, 141 P.3d 368, 393 (2006). Substantial evidence is such proof that reasonable persons could accept as adequate and sufficient to support a conclusion of [the] defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. (citation and internal quotation omitted). ¶ 12 During the aggravation phase, the medical examiner, Dr. Hu, testified that Devon likely was conscious for thirty seconds to two minutes while being held underwater. Dr. Hu would not opine whether a two-year-old under those circumstances could understand that he was about to die, but testified that Devon certainly would have understood the need to breathe. In addition, Dr. Hu described at length the physiological reactions that occur during drowning, including hemorrhaging and acute expansion of the lungs and the large quantity of foam produced when inhaled water mixes with air and proteins in the lungs. Dr. Hu also described several post-mortem photographs, previously admitted during the guilt phase, which depicted hemorrhaging of Devon's lungs and foam on his face. ¶ 13 Chappell told reporters during a post-arrest press conference that Devon had struggled while in the pool. Chappell also stated that, hours after the drowning, he could still remember Devon looking at [him] straight in the eyes as he was in the water. These facts support a finding that Devon consciously experienced mental anguish before his death. The jurors also could have reasonably inferred from this evidence that Chappell knew or should have known that Devon would suffer. Therefore, sufficient evidence supported the jurors' finding that the murder was especially cruel. ¶ 14 Chappell also argues that drowning alone is insufficient to support a finding of cruelty, citing State v. Poland, 132 Ariz. 269, 285, 645 P.2d 784, 800 (1982) (noting lack of evidence of victims' suffering or a struggle), and State v. Poland, 144 Ariz. 388, 405, 698 P.2d 183, 200 (1985) (noting, after retrial, absence of evidence that victims were conscious at the time of death). But here, unlike Poland, the record supports a finding that Devon was conscious and struggled during the drowning. See State v. Amaya-Ruiz, 166 Ariz. 152, 177-78, 800 P.2d 1260, 1285-86 (1990) (evidence of struggle supports cruelty finding). ¶ 15 Chappell further argues that, absent physical pain, a cruelty finding requires extreme mental anguish from a victim anticipating [his or her] impending death, asserting that the two-year-old victim here was unable to comprehend imminent death. We have previously rejected the argument that extreme mental anguish is required to establish the (F)(6) aggravator. See State v. Andriano, 215 Ariz. 497, 511 ¶ 67, 161 P.3d 540, 554 (2007) (citing Trostle, 191 Ariz. at 18, 951 P.2d at 883). And the mere fact that Devon was two years old, and possibly did not comprehend he was dying, did not prevent the jury from finding that he consciously experienced mental anguish before his death. See State v. Lopez, 174 Ariz. 131, 143-44, 847 P.2d 1078, 1090-91 (1992) (cruelty finding based, in part, on one-year-old's mental anguish, knowing that his father had severely beaten him and did nothing to stop the pain and comfort him). [4]