Opinion ID: 1988657
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Garden's Aggravating Circumstances

Text: The Superior Court determined that several aggravating circumstances were associated with the murder of Denise Rhudy by Garden: 1) Statutory Aggravator  Felony Murder  The fact that Denise Rhudy was killed during the commission of an attempted robbery established the statutory aggravating circumstance of felony murder that rendered Garden eligible for the death sentence. [59] This aggravating factor was established beyond a reasonable doubt by the verdict of the jury. The Superior Court judge described this felony murder as an aggravating factor of the highest magnitude because Denise Rhudy was not accosted during the course of an unlawful transaction or for the purpose of taking contraband from her. She was an innocent, law-abiding citizen who was out for a night of amusement with friends when she was gunned down because she refused to give up her property to an armed robber. The judgment of the people of this State that a crime of this nature justifies imposition of the ultimate penalty cannot reasonably be disputed. 2) Attempted Murder of Companion  After killing Denise Rhudy, Garden fired a shot at one of her companions, Stephanie Krueck. The bullet narrowly missed its target, passing instead through the sleeve of Krueck's jacket. The Superior Court judge found that Garden probably did intend to kill Krueck. But most importantly to the Superior Court judge, the shot fired at Krueck shows Garden's willingness to take a second life. Accordingly, the judge stated this too is an aggravating factor of the highest order. [60] 3) Lack of Remorse  The Superior Court judge found that Garden had shown no remorse for killing Denise Rhudy. The Court found this to be evidence of a cold and pitiless character. The judge determined that no reasonable person could consider Garden's lack of remorse as other than an aggravating factor. 4) Criminal Record  Despite his relatively young age, Garden had amassed a significant criminal record. By age 24, Garden was eligible for a life sentence under Delaware's habitual criminal statute. [61] The judge noted that the Delaware habitual offender law reflects a strong public policy against releasing repeat offenders because of the threat they pose to society. The Superior Court judge concluded that Garden's status as an habitual offender is a non-statutory aggravating factor, which is firmly rooted in the public policy and law of this State. It is also a weighty aggravating circumstance. The nature of Garden's prior crimes was equally important to the Superior Court judge. All of Garden's crimes involved some degree of premeditation, and all but two involved serious elements of violence and danger to the public. On two separate occasions, Garden was caught driving vehicles which he had stolen using burglary tools. In each instance, Garden led police on a high-speed chase through residential streets, exposing members of the public to injury. Each chase ended in a crash with Garden struggling against the police as they attempted to arrest him. Accordingly, the Superior Court judge determined that Garden's criminal record and habitual offender status are also aggravating factors of great magnitude. 5) Character and Propensities  The Delaware statute requires the judge and jury to consider the character and propensities of the offender. The judge determined the only reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from Garden's criminal history amassed by the age of 24 is that Garden had a serious propensity for violent criminal conduct. The judge found no reasonable basis for deeming Garden's criminal record as other than a substantial aggravating factor. An examination of the substance of the prior felony crimes committed by Garden revealed serious elements of violence and premeditated lawlessness. In fact, if he had only committed the armed robbery of Denise Rhudy, Garden was eligible for habitual criminal status. The Superior Court judge characterized Garden's criminal history as an aggravating circumstance of great magnitude. 6) Incorrigibility  The Superior Court judge found that consistent with Garden's propensity for lawlessness, is his inability to conform to prison rules. The judge determined that while most of Garden's rule violations in prison were minor, three were for fighting and one for carrying an open razor. The Superior Court judge concluded that these facts show Garden's unwillingness to obey authority, which can only be taken as an aggravating factor. 7) Victim Impact  The Superior Court judge determined that another aggravating factor was the impact of Denise Rhudy's death on those around her, including her parents, with whom she was close; her best friend, who witnessed her murder; her ex-husband, who is now a single parent of four young children; and most compelling, her four children, who were aged 16 months to 14 years at the time of her murder. The Superior Court judge noted that Denise Rhudy was a wholly innocent victim selected at random. She was described as a good, decent and much-loved person who is missed by her family and friends. The judge saw no reasonable basis for finding that the loss of such a person is not an aggravating factor.