Opinion ID: 2534434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Denial of Anderson's right to allocution

Text: ¶ 100 Anderson argues that his death sentences should be vacated because he was denied the right to allocution. A criminal defendant has a right to make a statement to the jury before imposition of a death sentence. Ariz. R.Crim. P. 19.1(d)(7). This right, however, is not absolute. State v. Hinchey, 181 Ariz. 307, 313, 890 P.2d 602, 608 (1995). Even when a defendant is denied a chance to speak before sentencing, there is no need for resentencing unless the defendant can show that he would have added something to the mitigating evidence already presented. Id. ¶ 101 The superior court did not invite Anderson to make a statement before it imposed the death sentences. However, Anderson does not contend he would have presented the court with anything new had he been given the opportunity. More importantly, Anderson testified during the penalty phase hearing. At the conclusion of that testimony, defense counsel asked Anderson to speak directly to the jurors and tell them anything else he wanted them to hear. Anderson did so, and asked for leniency. In light of this statement, and Anderson's failure to argue on appeal what mitigation evidence he would have added had he been offered a final statement before the superior court imposed sentence, we find no need for re-sentencing.