Opinion ID: 1383657
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Submission of kidnapping as aggravating circumstance

Text: Appellant contends the trial court erred in submitting kidnapping as an aggravating circumstance. Appellant contends since the State did not raise kidnapping as an aggravating circumstance in the previous trial, it can not raise it in this re-sentencing. We disagree. This issue was decided in State v. Plath, 281 S.C. 1, 313 S.E.2d 619 (1984), wherein we held there was no prejudice to appellant from the submission of an additional aggravating circumstance during a resentencing trial. Further, appellant contends the State failed to prove the mens rea necessary for kidnapping. We disagree. In State v. Jefferies, 446 S.E.2d 427, 316 S.C. 13 (1994), we held the mens rea required for the crime of kidnapping as set forth in S.C.Code Ann. § 16-3-910 (1985) is knowledge. Kidnaping is a continuing offense. The offense commences when one is wrongfully deprived of freedom and continues until freedom is restored. State v. Hall, 280 S.C. 74, 310 S.E.2d 429 (1983) (citing State v. Ziegler, 274 S.C. 6, 10, 260 S.E.2d 182, 184 (1979)). Here, Shannon was unquestionably deprived of her freedom once appellant bound her with the duct tape. Further, we have held restraint constitutes kidnapping within the meaning of section 16-3-910, [6] regardless of the fact that the purpose of this seizure was to facilitate the commission of a sexual battery. Hall, 280 S.C. 74, 78, 310 S.E.2d 429 (1983). Here, the purpose of the restraint of Shannon was to facilitate in the commission of burglary and robbery. In determining whether to submit an aggravating circumstance to the jury, the trial court is concerned only with the existence of evidence, not its weight. The aggravating circumstance is properly submitted if supported by any direct or circumstantial evidence. State v. Bennett, 328 S.C. 251, 493 S.E.2d 845 (1997). There was evidence to support the submission of kidnapping as an aggravating circumstance. Appellant's remaining arguments are affirmed pursuant to Rule 220(b)(1), SCACR, and the following authorities: Appellant's Issue 1 (change of venue): State v. Caldwell, 300 S.C. 494, 388 S.E.2d 816 (1990) (When jurors have been exposed to such publicity, a denial of a change of venue is not error where jurors are found to have the ability to lay aside any impressions or opinions and render a verdict based on the evidence presented at trial.); Appellant's Issues 5-8 (juror qualification): State v. Green, 301 S.C. 347, 392 S.E.2d 157 (1990); State v. Holmes, 464 S.E.2d 334, 320 S.C. 259 (1995) (any error in qualifying juror was harmless where juror was alternate and never used in trial); Appellant's Issue 9: State v. Plemmons, 286 S.C. 78, 332 S.E.2d 765 (1985) (qualification of juror is addressed to trial judge's discretion and will not be disturbed unless wholly unsupported); Appellant's Issue 11: State v. Tucker, 324 S.C. 155, 478 S.E.2d 260, 270 (1996) (appellant's prior record showed extremely violent nature and future dangerousness and inability to be rehabilitated); Appellant's Issue 12: State v. Von Dohlen, 322 S.C. 234, 471 S.E.2d 689 (1996) (forensic pathologist could testify as to pain victim endured and although physical torture was not submitted to jury as aggravating circumstance, evidence regarding torture was still admissible as going to circumstances of crime); Appellant's Issue 13: State v. Gaskins, 284 S.C. 105, 326 S.E.2d 132 (1985) (details of defendant's prior murder convictions, including photographs of prior murder victims, were properly allowed into evidence in sentencing phase); Ray v. State, 330 S.C. 184, 498 S.E.2d 640 (1998) (evidence of other crimes, including gory photos of victim, is admissible at sentencing phase of capital trial); Appellant's Issue 14: State v. Williams, 321 S.C. 327, 468 S.E.2d 626 (1996) (photographs of victim's body are admissible in sentencing phase of capital trial to show circumstances of crime and character of defendant); State v. Kornahrens, 290 S.C. 281, 350 S.E.2d 180 (1986) (relevancy, materiality, and admissibility of photographs are left to sound discretion of trial court).