Opinion ID: 859237
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Refusal of Simmons instruction

Text: ¶56 During the penalty phase, Hardy filed two motions requesting the trial court to instruct the jury that if it returned life sentences on the murder convictions, Hardy would not be eligible for release on those counts after twenty-five years because of the pending sentences on the kidnapping and burglary convictions, and that he would be eligible for potential release only through executive clemency. He claims error in the trial court’s denial of the requested instructions. ¶57 We review the legal adequacy of a jury instruction de novo, State v. Cota, 229 Ariz. 136, 151 ¶ 77, 272 P.3d 1027, 1042 (2012), and find no error. ¶58 Due process requires a court to inform a capital jury that a defendant is ineligible for parole if the defendant’s future dangerousness is in issue and state law prohibits his release on parole. Simmons v. South Carolina, 512 U.S. 154, 156 (1994). But Simmons instructions are not required when “[n]o state law . . . prohibit[s the defendant’s] release on parole.” State v. Cruz, 218 Ariz. 149, 160 ¶ 42, 181 P.3d 196, 207 (2008); see also Ramdass v. Angelone, 530 U.S. 156, 166 (2000) (plurality opinion). In a capital case involving an adult victim, A.R.S. § 13-751 provides for the possibility of a life 27 sentence with release after twenty-five years. The jury instruction given accurately stated the law. See State v. Chappell, 225 Ariz. 229, 240 ¶ 42, 236 P.3d 1176, 1187 (2010). No Simmons instruction was required.