Opinion ID: 1756872
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial Errors, Mitigating Evidence

Text: Appellant alleges that [n]umerous trial errors, strong mitigating evidence, and a previous jury not finding [Appellant] guilty of first degree murder show this is an inappropriate case for death. This Court found no trial errors when reviewing the record; thus, the alleged errors did not make the sentence unreliable. See Johnson I, 207 S.W.3d at 50. During the punishment phase, Appellant presented mitigating evidence of childhood abuse and neglect and good character. Deference is given to the jury's decision when there was sufficient evidence from which a reasonable juror could have found that the mitigating evidence did not outweigh the aggravating evidence. State v. Johnson, 244 S.W.3d 144, 157-58 (Mo. banc 2008). On reviewing the evidence, a reasonable juror could properly find the mitigating evidence of Appellant's childhood and good character did not outweigh the aggravating factors. This Court has upheld the death penalty despite evidence of childhood neglect. See id. at 157; State v. Brooks, 960 S.W.2d 479, 503 (Mo. banc 1997). Appellant also alleges the strength of the evidence is insufficient to support the sentence because his first trial ended when the jury could not reach a verdict. A prior mistrial is not dispositive on imposing the death sentence. See State v. Barton, 240 S.W.3d 693 (Mo. banc 2007) (death penalty upheld after two prior mistrials and a conviction reversed).