Opinion ID: 1747978
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alleged Lack of Evidentiary Support for Statutory Aggravators

Text: Appellant argues that the first statutory aggravating circumstancethat the murder of Debbie Rainwater occurred while Appellant was engaged in the commission of the unlawful homicide of Stephen Rainwateris not supported because the evidence showed that Appellant did not shoot both of them at precisely the same time. However, the shootings did not have to occur at precisely the same time in order for this statutory aggravating circumstance to apply. Rather, the shooting of Debbie Rainwater occurred while Appellant was engaged in the commission of the unlawful homicide of Stephen Rainwater, within the meaning of section 565.032.2(2), because there was evidence to show that both murders were committed pursuant to a common scheme to kill the entire Rainwater family, including Stephen Rainwater. See State v. Johnson, 968 S.W.2d 123, 125-126, 135 (Mo. banc 1998); State v. Smith, 944 S.W.2d 901, 909, 925 (Mo. banc 1997). Appellant is likewise incorrect in asserting that the evidence did not support the third statutory aggravating circumstancethat the murder of Debbie Rainwater was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman because it involved depravity of mind, in that Appellant killed her as part of a plan to kill more than one person. This finding was amply supported by the evidence showing that Appellant revealed his plan of mass murder in the threat that he made to Abbey Rainwater about what would happen if she told anyone that he beat her. The jury could reasonably infer from this that Appellant was attempting to carry out that plan when he killed the victims.