Opinion ID: 2613256
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Trial Court Properly Sentenced Defendant to Life Imprisonment for his Kidnapping Conviction

Text: Defendant contends that the trial court abused its discretion by sentencing him to an enhanced term of life imprisonment pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-604.02(A) for his kidnapping conviction. This statute provides that a person convicted of any felony offense involving ... the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury upon another ... if committed while the person is on probation for a conviction of a felony offense ... shall be sentenced to life imprisonment.... Defendant maintains that the trial record does not provide sufficient evidence to support a finding that defendant is the same person referred to in the certified documents used to establish that defendant was on probation for a felony burglary offense committed in Big Springs, Texas at the time of Deputy Marconnet's kidnapping and murder. We disagree. The finding required for purposes of enhancing a defendant's sentence under A.R.S. § 13-604.02 must be supported by reasonable evidence. See State v. Turner, 141 Ariz. 470, 475, 687 P.2d 1225, 1230 (1984); State v. Rickman, 148 Ariz. 499, 504, 715 P.2d 752, 757 (1986). In making this finding, the trial court may consider all evidence and information presented at all stages of the trial together with all probation and presentence reports. Turner, 141 Ariz. at 475, 687 P.2d at 1230, quoting State v. Meador, 132 Ariz. 343, 346-47, 645 P.2d 1257, 1260-61 (App. 1982). Based on the material available to the trial court, we believe that defendant's sentence was properly enhanced under A.R.S. § 13-604.02. The state submitted to the jury certified copies of defendant's prior conviction and arrest warrant issued upon defendant's violation of his Texas probation. This evidence demonstrates that defendant was on probation when Deputy Marconnet was kidnapped. Defendant also admitted to police during his July 1, 1988 statement that he was on probation in Big Springs, Texas for burglary. This evidence is sufficient to establish that defendant was subject to the terms of the enhancement provision when he kidnapped Deputy Marconnet.