Opinion ID: 1138383
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: this happened in Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Text: Felony Murder Rule: If the death of a human being ensues in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a felony dangerous to human life then murder in the first degree is committed even though the death of a human being is not intended. Kidnapping and aggravated kidnapping are felonies dangerous to human life. The verdict entered did not indicate on which theory the jury relied. In State v. Foy, 224 Kan. 558, 566, 582 P.2d 281 (1978), we held the fact that felony murder is not charged in the information does not preclude an instruction on felony murder where there is evidence to support the instruction. We recently discussed the standard of appellate review in State v. Switzer, 244 Kan. 449, Syl. ¶ 1, 769 P.2d 645 (1989), where we said: Where defendant claims insufficiency of the evidence in a criminal case, an appellate court is required to review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution in determining whether a rational factfinder could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In the preceding issue, we set forth the evidence of aggravated kidnapping. Further, there was evidence the victim died while under defendant's control. There was sufficient evidence to support a first-degree murder conviction under either theory. In State v. Wilson, 220 Kan. 341, 345, 552 P.2d 931 (1976), we said: When an accused is charged in one count of an information with both premeditated murder and felony murder it matters not whether some members of the jury arrive at a verdict of guilt based on proof of premeditation while others arrive at a verdict of guilt by reason of the killer's malignant purpose. We have further held that the State is not required to elect between premeditated and felony murder, as K.S.A. 21-3401 establishes the single offense of murder in the first degree, and only provides alternative methods of proving the crime. State v. Chism, 243 Kan. 484, 491, 759 P.2d 105 (1988); see PIK Crim.2d 56.02-A. We find this issue to be without merit. JURY MISCONDUCT On May 11, 1988, the next-to-last-day of trial, the court was informed by defense counsel that the May 11, 1988, edition of the Wichita Eagle Beacon contained a story about the trial and John Lisi, who had been implicated the previous day by the defendant's testimony. Specifically, the article began, A man accused by Randy Pioletti of cremating Karen Baile said he was forced at gunpoint to push Baile's lifeless and partially burned body back into the crematorium, the man's lawyer said in an article Tuesday. Defense counsel requested the jurors be questioned, stating there might be grounds for a mistrial. The trial court decided not to question the jurors and defense counsel moved for a mistrial. As the jurors were being brought into the courtroom to proceed with the trial, the bailiff informed the trial judge that there was an open newspaper in the jury room. The trial court informed the jury that any statements in the article were not to be considered as facts in the case and asked that if any of them had read the trial story in the newspaper, to notify the bailiff and they would be spoken to individually. Five responded. The trial court's questioning of each revealed that none had read the entire article and none had formed an opinion based on the article. The trial court was satisfied the jury had adhered to its oath and continued the trial, whereupon defendant renewed his motion for a mistrial. Defendant asserts that the trial court erred in denying the mistrial, arguing that, From the very first sentence, anyone reading the article would have gained knowledge of facts prejudicial to the defendant which were not in evidence. The appellate standard of review of a trial court's refusal to grant a mistrial was stated in State v. Bagby, 231 Kan. 176, Syl. ¶ 4, 642 P.2d 993 (1982), where we said: Declaration of a mistrial under the provisions of K.S.A. 22-3423 is a decision largely within the discretion of the trial court, and that decision will not be set aside on appeal absent a clear showing of abuse of discretion. In order to prove an abuse of discretion on appeal, the party claiming error must show that he was substantially prejudiced by the court's refusal to grant a mistrial. State v. Bagby, 231 Kan. at 179. In State v. Baker, 227 Kan. 377, 382-83, 607 P.2d 61 (1980), we held that a juror's reading of newspaper articles pertaining to the trial was not grounds for reversal, new trial, or mistrial unless the articles are of such a character that they might have resulted in prejudice to the losing party. We found prejudice so as to warrant a mistrial in State v. Yurk, 230 Kan. 516, 638 P.2d 921 (1982), the only case cited by defendant for support. In Yurk one juror, after the trial began, read a newspaper article which recounted the defendant's prior convictions. The juror admitted being bothered by the prior convictions. When asked by the trial court whether the information would affect his judgment or impartiality, the juror answered, To be honest, in a way it would. 230 Kan. at 520. The juror, under further questioning, said he could render an impartial decision, despite what he had read. The court overruled defendant's motion for mistrial. We reversed, finding that the juror's later assurances that he is equal to the task, that he can lay aside his stated impressions or notions and render a verdict based solely on the evidence presented in court cannot be dispositive of the defendant's rights. 230 Kan. at 524. Unlike Yurk, however, none of the jurors who saw the newspaper article were bothered by it or had formed an opinion based on the article. Yurk, therefore, is distinguishable from the case at bar. In State v. Malone, 194 Kan. 563, 400 P.2d 712 (1965), the Wichita Beacon printed an article reciting the defendant's prior convictions on the day of trial when both sides rested. 194 Kan. at 570. The trial court refused to poll the jury or grant a mistrial. The trial court, instead, instructed the jury to disregard any newspaper, radio, or television stories of the trial. 194 Kan. at 571. We affirmed the trial court's refusal to grant a mistrial, stating: Here the defendant failed to make any prejudice appear. Actually the record presented shows that the only juror who had read the article said he could not recall what it had reported and when asked by the court if the article had influenced his verdicts he replied `Absolutely not.' 194 Kan. at 572. We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's refusal to grant a mistrial herein. DOUBLE JEOPARDY Defendant next contends that, because the possibility exists that he was convicted of felony murder and aggravated kidnapping, both convictions cannot stand as they are the same offense under Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 76 L.Ed. 306, 52 S.Ct. 180 (1932). This argument has no merit. In Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, the United States Supreme Court examined the distinctions between offenses, stating: Each of the offenses created requires proof of a different element. The applicable rule is that where the same act or transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one, is whether each provision requires proof of an additional fact which the other does not. [Citation omitted.] 284 U.S. at 304. We applied this test most recently in State v. Dunn, 243 Kan. 414, 758 P.2d 718 (1988), where we set out the elements required for felony murder and aggravated kidnapping, stating: The constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy is directed to the identity of the offense and the act. Where the same act or transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be applied when determining whether there are two offenses or only a single offense is whether each statutory provision requires proof of an element that the other does not. Where one statute provides proof of an element that the other does not, the crimes are not the same, even though proof of the separate crimes may substantially overlap. .... ... If there is evidence to support the elements of kidnapping and evidence to support that a homicide was committed during the perpetration of the kidnapping, then the offenses would not merge. Both of the felony convictions here are convictions for crimes independent of the homicides; therefore, they do not merge. Dunn's convictions of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, and felony murder require the State to prove an element in each offense that is not required in the other offenses. Dunn's multiple convictions for the single act or transaction are constitutionally permissible. 243 Kan. at 432-33. Dunn is dispositive of this issue. Defendant's convictions of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping are constitutionally permissible and do not constitute double jeopardy. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT Defendant claims eleven instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct occurring during cross-examination of defendant and in closing arguments. For the most part, the complaints relative to the cross-examination are on the lines of sarcastic phrasing of questions, editorial comment on the answer, and tone of voice employed. No contemporaneous objection was made to eight of the complained-of instances. Reversible error cannot be predicated upon a complaint of misconduct of counsel during cross-examination and closing argument where no contemporaneous objection is lodged. State v. Walker, 244 Kan. 275, 280, 768 P.2d 290 (1989); State v. Bird, 238 Kan. 160, 179-80, 708 P.2d 946 (1985); see State v. Murdock, 236 Kan. 146, 153, 689 P.2d 814 (1984); K.S.A. 60-404. It is also well established that an appellate court will not find reversible error when an objection to a prosecutor's question or statement has been sustained, State v. Murdock, 236 Kan. at 153-54, or when the jury has been admonished to disregard the remark. State v. Lewis, 238 Kan. 94, 99, 708 P.2d 196 (1985). In this case, the defendant's objection to one incident was sustained. In addition, when defense counsel objected to the prosecutor's tone of voice, the court instructed the jury that statements of lawyers are not evidence to be considered by the jury. One final incident remains. Defendant repeatedly answered cross-examination questions with the response he could not recall the details of the night in question. At one point the prosecutor said, Do you recall, probably not, but do you recall ? The trial court overruled the objection to the question. We find no reversible error on this issue as any error had little if any likelihood of having changed the result of the trial. Before concluding this issue, we believe some additional comment is appropriate. This was a lengthy trial arising from a particularly grisly murder. Emotions, understandably, ran high at the trial. However, we wish to caution the prosecutor to exercise more professional restraint in her comments and cross-examination in the future. SENTENCES IMPOSED Defendant contends the trial court's sentencing of the defendant to two consecutive life terms constituted an abuse of discretion. K.S.A. 21-4608(1) provides that separate sentences of imprisonment for different crimes imposed on a defendant on the same date shall run concurrently or consecutively as the court directs. Whether separate sentences imposed on the same day should be concurrent or consecutive is discretionary with the trial court. State v. Strauch, 239 Kan. 203, 219, 718 P.2d 613 (1986). K.S.A. 21-4606 establishes factors to be considered by the court in fixing the lowest minimum term of imprisonment. The sentencing criteria in K.S.A. 21-4606 apply to a trial court's determination of the sentence to be imposed and the sentence includes whether multiple terms of imprisonment are to be served consecutively or concurrently. State v. Strauch, 239 Kan. 203, Syl. ¶ 8; State v. Adkins, 236 Kan. 259, 264, 689 P.2d 880 (1984). A sentence imposed which is within the statutory limits will not be disturbed on appeal, provided it is within the realm of discretion on the part of the trial court and not the result of partiality or prejudice. Baker v. State, 243 Kan. 1, Syl. ¶ 6, 755 P.2d 493 (1988); State v. Hamilton, 240 Kan. 539, Syl. ¶ 1, 731 P.2d 863 (1987). As previously stated, the facts herein were particularly grisly. There was no direct evidence as to whether the victim was alive or dead when cremated and, if alive, whether she was conscious or unconscious. In view of defendant's statements that he wanted her to feel it and his testimony at trial that Karen was alive and pleading for help when placed in the crematory by the man defendant said committed the crime, certain grim contemplations occur. At sentencing the trial court stated: At one time, not too long ago, a sentence to be confined to the custody of the Secretary of Corrections for the rest of your natural life meant just that. By statute and enactment of the legislature, that is no longer the case. At the current time, a person could be released in a far lesser time. I have taken into account the extent of the harm done, and I have taken into account what the jury found to be the facts, that the plan articulated to several people, has been carried out, and also a distressing fact, what the young lady, the secretary, testified to, that you told her that you want her to feel it. But the principal reason for making these sentences consecutive is to make sure that a substantial period of time passes before the Parole Board, by whatever name it may be called in the future, in reviewing your case, decides. Defendant contends this was an improper attempt by the trial court to manipulate defendant's parole eligibility date. The trial court obviously believed, and justifiably so, that defendant's conduct warranted long-term incarceration. The language employed may have been unfortunate in some respects, but we find no abuse of discretion in the sentencing herein. The judgment is affirmed.