Opinion ID: 1301554
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Concurrent Sentences for Photographs Taken of Danee and Fallon on a Single Occasion

Text: Taylor next argues that three counts of sexual exploitation by photographing Danee and Fallon must run concurrently because the three photographs supporting those convictions indicate that the three pictures were taken on one occasion. [10] Even though the three photographs may have been taken on a single occasion, for the reasons previously discussed, Taylor is not entitled to have his sentences for the taking of each of these three photographs run concurrently. Multiplicitous Counts Taylor next argues that two counts charge the identical offense, that is, sexual conduct with a minor by causing Nathan to engage in fellatio with Lee as evidenced by a single photograph. [11] Taylor maintains that these counts are multiplicitous because the same conduct was charged twice. State v. Barber, 133 Ariz. 572, 576, 653 P.2d 29, 33 (App.) aff'd., 133 Ariz. 549, 653 P.2d 6 (1982); State v. O'Brien, 123 Ariz. 578, 582, 601 P.2d 341, 345 (App. 1979). We need not address Taylor's argument that defendant cannot be convicted of two counts of sexual conduct with a minor based upon enticing two young children to engage in sexual conduct with each other. The indictment in this case did not involve identical language in two separate counts. Rather, count 14 alleged that Taylor committed sexual conduct with a minor by causing Nathan to perform fellatio on Lee. Count 15 alleged that Taylor caused Nathan to engage in fellatio with Nathan. We reverse Taylor's conviction on count 15. Jury Instruction Taylor argues that the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury regarding criminal liability based upon conduct of another. A.R.S. § 13-303. Taylor did not request this instruction and did not object to the jury instructions given. Accordingly, absent fundamental error, Taylor has waived this claim. State v. Avila, 147 Ariz. 330, 338, 710 P.2d 440, 448 (1985). In Avila, the court of appeals stated that [t]he failure to instruct on a necessary element of an offense is not fundamental error where there is no issue as to that element. 147 Ariz. at 338, 710 P.2d at 448. In the matter before us, the sexual conduct in which the various children engaged was orchestrated by Taylor as evidenced by the photographs Taylor took and the age of the children involved. Accordingly, there was no evidence to support any inference other than that Taylor caused the children to act as they did. We find no error. Cruel and Unusual Punishment Taylor next argues that the sentences imposed upon him constitute cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 2, § 15, of the Arizona Constitution. In Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983), the Supreme Court set forth the method for analysis as to whether a sentence is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment. Under the Solem proportionality analysis, a reviewing court should look to (1) the gravity of the offense, (2) the harshness of the penalty, (3) sentences imposed on other defendants in the same jurisdiction, and (4) the sentences imposed for commission of the same crime in other jurisdictions. 463 U.S. at 292, 103 S.Ct. at 3011, 77 L.Ed.2d at 650. Taylor was sentenced to 85 consecutive sentences of life imprisonment without possibility of parole for 35 years. The aggregate total of these sentences is nearly 3,000 years. The sentences imposed were arrived at as a result of the confluence of several factors. Taylor was convicted of 85 individual offenses. Taylor committed these offenses after having been convicted previously of crimes against children on three occasions. In addition, the prosecutor alleged that each of these offenses involved dangerous crimes against children. Mandatory sentences have repeatedly withstood constitutional attack. State v. Smith, 156 Ariz. 518, 753 P.2d 1174 (App. 1987); State v. Crego, 154 Ariz. 278, 742 P.2d 289 (App. 1987). In State v. Dixon, 153 Ariz. 151, 157, 735 P.2d 761, 767 (1987), this court upheld the imposition of seven consecutive life sentences. In Hutto v. Davis, 454 U.S. 370, 102 S.Ct. 703, 70 L.Ed.2d 556 (1982), the Supreme Court upheld the imposition of a 40-year sentence for possession of less than nine ounces of marijuana. Under the Solem analysis, child molestation is undeniably a serious offense. Crego, 154 Ariz. at 280, 742 P.2d at 291. In reporting out a bill involving federal child pornography legislation, the United States Senate Judiciary Committee had occasion to emphasize the deep psychological humiliation caused to youngsters subjected to molestation as well as the fact that many molestation victims later become molesters themselves. S.Rep. No. 95-438, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 9 (1977). Arizona's penalties for non-commercial production of pornography involving minors are within the range of sentences found in other states. Although on the national spectrum Arizona deals with crimes against children more severely than many other states, [t]he Eighth Amendment is not violated every time a State reaches a conclusion different from a majority of its sisters over how best to administer its criminal laws. Spaziano v. Florida, 468 U.S. 447, 464, 104 S.Ct. 3154, 3164, 82 L.Ed.2d 340, 355 (1984). The 85 counts for which Taylor was convicted involved prompting five identified children and other unidentified children into engaging in sexual conduct while Taylor photographed them. He also molested or attempted to molest at least four of these children. In addition, Taylor told at least one individual that he was interested in meeting other women with young children so that he could have contact with them also. Although enormous in terms of years, the sentence, in practice, is no more severe than the 91-year sentence upheld in Smith. The net effect of the sentence imposed is to cause Taylor to be incarcerated for the rest of his life. The record reflects that Taylor's misconduct with small children commenced when he was a juvenile and has continued through more than half of his 41-year life. In Taylor's letter to the trial judge following his conviction, he stated in part: What you are doing is locking me up for something I can't help but do. It's something I cannot resist doing. The extremely serious nature of the crimes in which he engaged in the instant case, his previous convictions for similar conduct, the irreparable harm which he has caused to the normal development of numerous children, some of whom remain unknown, and his admission to the trial court that he is unable to control his proclivity for sexual conduct with children all underscore the importance of confining him for the rest of his life. At sentencing, the trial judge indicated that he did not disagree with the sentence which he was required by law to impose: The legislature, the people of the State through the legislature have said that people that commit the offenses that you do receive this penalty. And they're the ones that are sentencing you, I'm reading it, and I don't disagree in this case with the sentence. You are a pedophile, you are a clear and present danger to the children in this community and every community you have lived in. And I am going to do what the legislature has told me to do, put you away for the rest of your life so it doesn't happen again, I don't disagree with that under the circumstances but I want you to know that I don't have any choice in this matter, I don't disagree but the choice is not mine, the legislature and the people have said this is what people like you are going to get if you commit these offenses in Arizona. [Emphasis added.] On the facts of this case, a sentence resulting in life imprisonment without possibility of parole does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Misdesignation of Two Counts Finally, Taylor argues that resentencing is required regarding two counts involving attempted sexual conduct with a minor. [12] We agree that the record reflects that Taylor was sentenced as though these two counts were treated as class two rather than class three felonies. A.R.S. § 13-604.01(G) and (K)(1). When Taylor is resentenced in accordance with this opinion, these two counts must be redesignated as class three felonies. FUNDAMENTAL ERROR We have reviewed the record for fundamental error as required by A.R.S. § 13-4035, Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), and State v. Leon, 104 Ariz. 297, 451 P.2d 878 (1969). Except as noted, we find no error. DISPOSITION For the reasons set forth above, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand in part for resentencing. GORDON, C.J., and CAMERON, MOELLER and CORCORAN, JJ., concur. FELDMAN, V.C.J., did not participate in this decision; pursuant to Ariz. const. art. 6, § 3, JOHN M. ROLL, Judge, Court of Appeals, Division Two was designated to sit in his stead.