Opinion ID: 1856211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The verdict for the murder of Cheryl Mallory

Text: While we are satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to support a first degree murder conviction for the murder of Tracie Williams Ortiz, we do not believe the same verdict was supported by the evidence as to the murder of Cheryl Mallory. We find no evidence in the record sufficient to support an inference that Ortiz ever offered anyone anything of value for Cheryl's murder. Thus, a first degree murder verdict was not warranted pursuant to La. R.S. 14:30(A)(4). Nor can we find defendant guilty of the first degree murder of Cheryl pursuant to La. R.S. 14:30(A)(3) by virtue of specifically intending the deaths of more than one person, for the same reasons articulated above regarding Tracie. Finally, the evidence was not sufficient to support a finding that defendant was guilty as a principal to the first degree felony-murder of Cheryl pursuant to La. R.S. 14:30(A)(1). In certain cases, circumstantial evidence might justify a finding that the murder plan called for the elimination of persons other than the main target. However, the evidence of the plot to kill Tracie in this case did not extend to other victims. We can find no evidence to support a conclusion that defendant shared the specific intent to kill Cheryl that was doubtless formulated by the assassin after his entry into the condominium when he discovered Cheryl there with Tracie. The specific intent of the assassin to murder Cheryl cannot be automatically imputed to defendant. State v. Holmes, 388 So.2d 722 (La.1980). Therefore, defendant's first degree murder conviction and death sentence for the murder of Cheryl Mallory must be reversed. Under State v. Byrd, 385 So.2d 248 (La.1980) and La.Code Crim. P. art. 821, the discharge of the defendant is neither necessary nor proper when the evidence supports a conviction on a lesser and included offense which was a legislatively authorized responsive verdict. La. R.S. 14:30.1 in pertinent part defines second degree murder as the killing of a human being when the offender is engaged in the perpetration of an aggravated burglary, even though there was no specific intent to kill. As noted hereinabove, there was sufficient evidence to conclude that defendant was a principal to the commission of an aggravated burglary, during which a second murder occurred, although he had no specific intent that Mallory be killed. Furthermore, second degree murder is a legislatively provided responsive verdict to first degree murder. La.Code Crim. P. art. 814. Thus, it is not necessary to remand this case for a new trial in order to convict defendant of the second degree murder of Cheryl Mallory. Accordingly, we modify the jury verdict and render a judgment of conviction of second degree murder for the murder of Cheryl Mallory. We remand the matter to the trial court for sentencing on the modified judgement of conviction. La.Code Crim. P. art. 821.