Opinion ID: 1571114
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Verdict and Sentence

Text: On a special verdict form, the jury found Tumblin guilty of both premeditated and felony murder. The jury also found him guilty of robbery with a firearm. The case proceeded to the penalty phase on June 25, 2007, after which the jury unanimously recommended a sentence of death. In the sentencing order entered on September 25, 2007, the court found the following aggravators: (1) Tumblin had prior convictions for felonies involving the use or threat of violence (great weight); (2) the murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in commission, attempt to commit, or flight after commission of a robbery, merged with the aggravator that the murder was committed for pecuniary gain (great weight); and (3) the murder was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without pretense of moral or legal justification (CCP) (great weight). The trial court found no statutory mitigation but did find nonstatutory mitigation as follows: (1) poor family life Tumblin grew up in a dysfunctional family characterized by abuse and neglect (impoverished abusive environment) (some weight); (2) poor mental statebelow-average intelligence, behavioral disorders, antisocial impulsive conduct, adolescent brain injury, and suicidal behavior (little weight); (3) Tumblin loves his mother and sister and his children, and they love him in return (little weight); and (4) Tumblin was well-behaved during trial and the penalty hearing (very little weight). We turn now to the guilt phase issues raised by Tumblin.