Opinion ID: 1371864
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sexual Assault as an Aggravating Circumstance.

Text: The appellant contends that the respondent should have formally notified him, under the provisions of NRS 175.552, [6] that murder committed in the perpetration of a sexual assault would be offered as an aggravating circumstance at the penalty hearing. We believe that the purpose of the statute is to provide the accused notice and to insure due process so he can meet any new evidence which may be presented during the penalty hearing. Here, evidence was admitted at trial which showed the aggravated nature of the crime committed. The appellant was thus afforded ample notice regarding elements and proof of the offense itself when these were offered during the guilt phase. Eberheart v. State, 232 Ga. 247, 206 S.E.2d 12, 17 (1974). The notice provisions of the statute were plainly not offended by the admission of the challenged evidence relating to the aggravating circumstance as the sexual assault was germane to the proof of the crime itself. Furthermore, an instruction regarding sexual assault was given at trial. The accused need not be independently informed of the intended use of this factor during the sentencing hearing. Hooks v. State, 233 Ga. 149, 210 S.E.2d 668, 670 (1974); Eberheart v. State, 206 S.E.2d at 17; NRS 175.554(1).