Opinion ID: 1375948
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Independent Review of Aggravation-Mitigation Findings

Text: This court independently reviews the facts that establish the presence of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. State v. White, 168 Ariz. 500, 510, 815 P.2d 869, 879 (1991) (citing State v. Richmond, 136 Ariz. 312, 320, 666 P.2d 57, 65, cert. denied, 464 U.S. 986, 104 S.Ct. 435, 78 L.Ed.2d 367 (1983)), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 112 S.Ct. 1199, 117 L.Ed.2d 439 (1992). We have reviewed the record for evidence of additional mitigating factors. We agree with the trial court that the state proved the existence of the previously discussed aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. We also agree that the only statutory mitigating circumstance sufficiently supported by the evidence is that Defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law was significantly impaired. We find no additional non-statutory mitigating factor that would warrant leniency. We believe the trial court correctly concluded that the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating circumstances, and therefore properly imposed the death penalty. [8]