Opinion ID: 854149
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proper considerations in resentencing

Text: Harrison v. State, 644 N.E.2d 1243 (Ind.1995) set forth guidelines trial courts are to follow in making findings pursuant to the death penalty statute. In that case, defendant Harrison was convicted of felony murder and the State sought the death penalty. Although the trial court concluded in the sentencing findings that Harrison committed the murder by intentionally killing the victim ... while committing or attempting to commit Arson, we remanded for a more specific sentencing order because, among other reasons, the record was unclear on whether the trial court distinguished between the mens rea required for felony murder, and the mens rea necessary to establish the (b)(1) aggravating circumstance. Id. at 1262-64. We reiterated that the latter required an intentional killing. Id. at 1263 n. 30. Harrison indicated that the court's findings should be formulated based on the following factors: The trial court's statement of reasons (i) must identify each mitigating and aggravating circumstance found, (ii) must include the specific facts and reasons which lead the court to find the existence of each such circumstance, (iii) must articulate that the mitigating and aggravating circumstances have been evaluated and balanced in determination of the sentence, and (iv) must set forth the trial court's personal conclusion that the sentence is appropriate punishment for this offender and this crime. Id. at 1262 (citations omitted). The problem in Harrison was that the trial court found an intentional killing without providing specific facts and reasons in support of that conclusion. The problem in this case is that the trial court made detailed factual findings without concluding whether this added up to intentional killing. Indeed, the findings suggest a failure to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ajabu's participation in the events intentionally rather than knowingly or recklessly led to death. However, because the trial court's findings were predicated on Tison rather than the Indiana statute, we express no view on whether the evidence adduced at trial and at the sentencing hearing could support findings of intentional killing. We hold only that the trial court must make the findings required to establish the (b)(1) aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt. Imposition of the death penalty or life without parole requires scrupulous compliance with each statutory step. Id. at 1263-64. [24] Ajabu does not challenge the two other aggravating circumstances used to support the life sentences. Therefore, reweighing will take place on remand irrespective of whether the (b)(1) aggravating factor is found to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The only open question is the quantum of aggravating evidence to be weighed against the mitigating factors. Two other aspects of the sentencing order will require clarification on remand. First, the trial court found the (b)(8) aggravating circumstance to be proved by virtue of Ajabu's conviction for Christopher James's murder. However, the order does not state which of the other two murder convictions this factor was applied against as an aggravating circumstance whether with respect to both Lisa and Nicholas Allemenos, or just one of the two. [25] Second, the order does not comply with Harrison's mandate that the trial court set forth its personal conclusion that the sentence is appropriate punishment for this offender and this crime. Id. at 1262. This case is remanded for a new sentencing order on the murder counts and, specifically, consideration on the current record of the following issues: (1) new or revised findings as to whether the (b)(1) aggravating circumstance was proved beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) clarification of the (b)(8) aggravating circumstance findings; (3) determination whether the mitigating circumstances are outweighed by the aggravating circumstances for each murder conviction, so as to justify imposition of life without parole; and (4) a personal statement by the court that life in prison, if that sentence is imposed, is appropriate punishment for this offender and this crime. In drafting the sentencing order, the trial court is directed to use the 1993 version of the death penalty statute. See IND.CODE § 35-50-2-9 (1993) and discussion supra note 16. [26]