Opinion ID: 1262655
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Police Report Evidence

Text: Defendants argue that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay evidence that the shotgun used in the slaying had been reported missing. The state asserts that it introduced this evidence in order to place the shotgun in Banning. Over defense objection, the state had a law enforcement officer relate the contents of the report on the missing shotgun, that is, that on January 20, 1987, a Banning resident reported that his .12-gauge pump shotgun, Savage Model No. 69RXL, Serial No. E437931, was missing. The trial court permitted this evidence to be introduced because it was a routine report, made prior to the crime, and did not implicate the defendants. Our standard of review regarding admission of this evidence is abuse of discretion. Throop, supra ; Stanley, supra . The state argues this report was admissible under Rule 803(8)(B), Ariz.R.Evid., 17A A.R.S. Defendants correctly note, however, that the language of Rule 803(8)(B) excludes criminal cases where matters are observed by police officers and other law enforcement personnel. Nevertheless, the testimony was admissible because it was not offered to prove the truth of the report, but to establish the geographical location of the shotgun as being Banning, California. Moreover, the significance of this hearsay evidence, placing the shotgun in Banning five months before it was used to shoot Sterleen and Ralph Hill, was vastly diminished by other evidence directly linking Robinson and Washington to the shotgun. Defendants also argue that evidence of the disappearance of the shotgun tended to point to one or both of the defendants as thieves or receivers of stolen property. Realistically, any prejudice against the defendants arising from this evidence was miminal in view of the egregious conduct with which the defendants were charged. Any error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 684, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1438, 89 L.Ed.2d 674, 686 (1986). Cross-Examination of Barbara Bryant Robinson and Washington argue that the trial court erred in limiting cross-examination of Washington's girlfriend, Barbara Bryant. The scope of cross-examination is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Smith, 138 Ariz. 79, 81, 673 P.2d 17, 19 (1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1074, 104 S.Ct. 1429, 79 L.Ed.2d 753 (1984). During direct examination, Bryant testified that she received telephone calls from Washington in the early morning hours of June 9, 1987, that she returned Washington's telephone calls, and that during one such conversation, Washington stated that he was stranded in Arizona. During cross-examination, Washington's attorney attempted to elicit from Bryant the remainder of her conversation with Washington, but the trial court sustained the prosecutor's objections on hearsay grounds. When the trial court requested an offer of proof as to the evidence sought to be elicited, Robinson's attorney stated that Bryant had previously told a law enforcement officer that Washington had not asked her to come pick him up. This statement, argues Robinson, was inconsistent with her trial testimony that Washington said he was stranded. Robinson did elicit from Bryant that Washington frequently became stranded after partying with other motorcycle club members. Ultimately, the trial court restricted Washington's questions of Bryant on the ground that the probative value of the proffered evidence was outweighed by its prejudicial impact and, in any event, Bryant's trial testimony was not inconsistent with her prior statements. The trial court did not abuse its discretion. Assuming arguendo that the prosecutor presented inadmissible hearsay against Robinson by eliciting from Bryant that Washington, during one of his telephone calls, said that he was stranded in Arizona, Robinson has failed to demonstrate prejudice. Bryant's brief summary of what Washington said to her made no reference to Robinson, and was admissible against Washington. Bryant's telephone billing reflects long-distance calls to Yuma consistent with the times Bryant said she spoke with Washington. Washington's offer of proof set forth no specific exculpatory information that he hoped to elicit. In addition, Bryant did testify that it was not unusual for Washington to become stranded during innocuous activities. Any error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Van Arsdall, supra . Impeachment of Joseph Dixon Washington and Robinson argue that the trial court erred when it permitted the prosecutor to impeach Joseph Dixon with prior allegedly inconsistent statements. The standard of review for the trial court's ruling is abuse of discretion. State v. Woods, 141 Ariz. 446, 454, 687 P.2d 1201, 1208 (1984). During the investigation, Dixon told law enforcement officers that on June 8, 1987, he saw Washington, Robinson, and Mathers together, and Washington was wearing a bandana. At trial, Dixon testified that he could not recall whether it was Mathers and Robinson that he saw together or Mathers and Washington. He also testified that he did not recall who had been wearing the bandana. The trial court permitted the prosecutor to question the witness regarding his prior statements and to call the law enforcement officer to whom Dixon made the earlier statements. Defendants argue that since Dixon only stated that he could no longer recall rather than denying that he made the statements, the statements were not inconsistent and impeachment should not have been permitted. We disagree. Extrinsic evidence of Dixon's prior statements was introduced only after Dixon was given the opportunity to explain or deny the prior statements. Accordingly, impeachment with the extrinsic evidence was permissible. Rule 613(b), Ariz.R.Evid., 17A A.R.S. Impeachment of Dixon by the state was permissible even though Dixon was called as a witness by the state. Rule 607, Ariz.R.Evid., 17A A.R.S.; State v. Sustaita, 119 Ariz. 583, 587, 583 P.2d 239, 243 (1978). That Dixon claimed failure of memory rather than outright denying having made the earlier statements did not preclude impeachment. United States v. Rogers, 549 F.2d 490, 496 (8th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 431 U.S. 918, 97 S.Ct. 2182, 53 L.Ed.2d 229 (1977). In Rogers, the Eighth Circuit stated: The trial judge should have considerable discretion to determine whether evasive answers are inconsistent with positive assertions of an extrajudicial nature previously given. Id. Dixon testified that he and the three defendants were good friends; that he, Robinson, and Mathers were members of a motorcycle club and Washington was a prospective member; that he had known Robinson for 14-15 years; and that he had lived with Robinson for four to five months. The trial judge stated that he did not know whether the witness was being evasive or was merely typical of many people with poor recollection. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it permitted the state to impeach Dixon with extrinsic evidence. Death Sentences The trial court determined that two aggravating circumstances applied to both Robinson and Washington. These factors are that the offense was committed in consideration for or in the expectation of anything of pecuniary value and the offense was committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(5) and (6). The court also found that as to Robinson, the commission of the offense was procured by the payment or promise of payment of anything of pecuniary value. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(4). We must independently review the existence of aggravating and mitigating circumstances to determine if the death penalty was properly imposed. State v. Walton, 159 Ariz. 571, 586, 769 P.2d 1017, 1032, cert. granted, 493 U.S. ___, 110 S.Ct. 49, 107 L.Ed.2d 18 (1989); State v. Beaty, 158 Ariz. 232, 242, 762 P.2d 519, 529 (1988), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 109 S.Ct. 3200, 105 L.Ed.2d 708 (1989). A. Aggravating Circumstances The state must prove the existence of aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. A.R.S. § 13-703(C); Walton, supra .
The trial court found as an aggravating circumstance against Robinson that Robinson procured the commission of the offense by payment, or promise of payment, of anything of pecuniary value. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(4). During the aggravation-mitigation hearing, the state presented evidence of a post-arrest statement made by Washington to Major Ralph Ogden of the Yuma County Sheriff's Office. Washington said that Robinson planned the June 8, 1987 trip to the Hills' home, and Robinson told him that the Hill residence belonged to a cocaine trafficker. Robinson disclosed a plan to take off the cocaine dealer who lived at the house and to steal any cocaine and/or money present. Robinson said that if things get rough, shoot `em. Washington told the officer that Robinson did not announce this plan until Robinson, Washington, and Mathers arrived in Yuma. Washington's post-arrest statement was apparently considered by the trial court as evidence that Robinson had procured the slaying by promising Washington a pecuniary benefit. An aggravation-mitigation hearing regarding the death sentence involves the same safeguards as a trial. A.R.S. § 13-703(C). That provision states in part: [T]he admissibility of information relevant to any of the aggravating circumstances ... shall be governed by the rules governing the admission of evidence at criminal trials. These rules of evidence include the right of an accused to confront adverse witnesses as guaranteed by the sixth amendment. Also, as a matter of right, post-arrest statements by non-testifying co-defendants may not be considered against the accused. Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S.Ct. 1620, 20 L.Ed.2d 476 (1968). In Walton v. State, 481 So.2d 1197 (Fla. 1985), the Florida Supreme Court vacated a defendant's death sentence and remanded for further proceedings because the primary evidence introduced against Walton during the penalty phase of his trial consisted of post-arrest statements of his co-defendants. The fact that in Arizona the penalty phase is tried to a judge rather than to a jury does not cause statements otherwise in violation of the sixth amendment to become admissible. We are therefore obligated to search the record in order to ascertain whether sufficient evidence exists apart from Washington's post-arrest statement to support the trial court's finding that Robinson procured the murder by the promise of anything of pecuniary value. Robinson provided the murder weapon and transported Washington to the home of his common-law wife's parents. There is no evidence that Washington knew the Hills or where they lived but for the guidance of Robinson. Once at the Hill home, Washington demanded drugs and/or money from the Hills. Even disregarding Washington's post-arrest statement implicating Robinson, the evidence supports the trial court's finding that Robinson procured the slaying through promises to Washington of pecuniary gain, that is, the presence in the Hill home of drugs and/or money.
The trial court found as an aggravating circumstance against Robinson and Washington that the offense was committed in the expectation of receiving something of pecuniary value. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(5). Prior to the slaying, the assailants demanded drugs and money from the Hills. Washington searched closets and drawers for valuables. A few items were stolen from the house, although most were later discovered abandoned in the neighborhood. Accordingly, the trial court's finding that Washington had a financial motive for participating in the murder is supported by the evidence. State v. Gretzler, 135 Ariz. 42, 49, 659 P.2d 1, 8, cert. denied, 461 U.S. 971, 103 S.Ct. 2444, 77 L.Ed.2d 1327 (1983). While Washington was motivated by greed, Robinson, on the other hand, suggests that any participation on his behalf was simply motivated by revenge, coupled with a desire to locate Susan. Nothing in the record even remotely suggests that the Hills were drug traffickers or that Robinson believed that they were. As between Robinson and Washington, only Robinson knew the Hills and their true status. In State v. Correll, 148 Ariz. 468, 479, 715 P.2d 721, 732 (1986), this court held that to establish this factor, the evidence must show that the hope of financial gain supplied the impetus for the murder. See also State v. Gillies (Gillies I), 135 Ariz. 500, 512, 662 P.2d 1007, 1019 (1983). There is no evidence that Robinson was motivated by the expectation of pecuniary gain. The trial court's finding on this factor as to Robinson is therefore set aside. However, the elimination of one aggravating factor does not mandate a remand to the trial court for resentencing when the record compels a finding on the issue as a matter of law. Clemons v. Mississippi, ___ U.S. ___, ___, 110 S.Ct. 1441, 1448, 108 L.Ed.2d 725, 737 (1990); State v. Emery, 141 Ariz. 549, 553, 688 P.2d 175, 179 (1984).
The trial court also found as an aggravating circumstance that the murder was committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(6). Any one of these circumstances  heinous, cruel, or depraved  can constitute an aggravating circumstance. State v. Libberton, 141 Ariz. 132, 139, 685 P.2d 1284, 1291 (1984); State v. Clark, 126 Ariz. 428, 436, 616 P.2d 888, 896, cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1067, 101 S.Ct. 796, 66 L.Ed.2d 612 (1980). The terms heinous and depraved focus on the killer's state of mind and attitude at the time of the offense. State v. Wallace, 160 Ariz. 424, 773 P.2d 983 (1989); Gretzler, 135 Ariz. at 51, 659 P.2d at 12. Five factors can support a finding of a mental attitude which was heinous and depraved: (1) the apparent relishing of the murder by the killer, (2) the infliction of gratuitous violence on the victim beyond the murder itself, (3) needless mutilation, (4) senselessness of the crime, and (5) helplessness of the victim. Wallace, 160 Ariz. at 427, 773 P.2d at 986; Gretzler, 135 Ariz. at 51-52, 659 P.2d at 10-11. As difficult as it may be to define depravity, the gangland-style action of forcing two elderly persons to lay face down on the floor, tying them up, then senselessly shooting them amounts to depraved conduct. See State v. Roscoe, 145 Ariz. 212, 226, 700 P.2d 1312, 1326, cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1094, 105 S.Ct. 2169, 85 L.Ed.2d 525 (1985). Cruelty focuses upon the victim's pain and suffering. Wallace, supra ; Gretzler, supra . Psychological pain may be the equivalent of the most severe physical torture. Correll, 148 Ariz. at 480, 715 P.2d at 733, quoting State v. (Ricky Wayne) Tison, 129 Ariz. 526, 543, 633 P.2d 335, 352 (1981), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 882, 103 S.Ct. 180, 74 L.Ed.2d 147 (1982). The evidence indicated that Sterleen Hill was startled by the sudden intrusion of two armed individuals in her home. She and her husband were bound and forced to lie face down on their bedroom floor while demands were made upon them to produce drugs and money. Being bound would have caused Sterleen great distress. Correll, 148 Ariz. at 480, 715 P.2d at 733. The court could infer that Sterleen was uncertain as to her ultimate fate. State v. McCall, 139 Ariz. 147, 161, 677 P.2d 920, 934 (1983), cert. denied, 467 U.S. 1220, 104 S.Ct. 2670, 81 L.Ed.2d 375 (1984). Because there was no evidence that she was rendered unconscious by a physical blow prior to being executed, she, like Ralph Hill, probably heard one of the intruders state that they should get the Hills' teenage son. Ralph Hill testified that he was then suddenly rendered unconscious. The evidence supports the inference that his loss of consciousness resulted from being shot in the back with a .12-gauge shotgun. Sterleen Hill would have witnessed this. Being aware that Ralph had been shot, and undoubtedly realizing that she was next, supports a finding of mental suffering by Sterleen. Correll, 148 Ariz. at 480, 715 P.2d at 733; McCall, 139 Ariz. at 161, 677 P.2d at 934. Although the shots were fired in close proximity in time, because the shotgun was a pump shotgun, at least a short period of time must have elapsed between the time that Ralph Hill was wounded and Sterleen Hill was executed. The record amply supports the trial court's conclusion that the murder was committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. B. Mitigating Circumstances In death penalty cases, this court is obligated to review the record to determine whether any mitigating circumstances outweigh aggravating circumstances. State v. Stevens, 158 Ariz. 595, 598, 764 P.2d 724, 727 (1988); State v. Richmond (Richmond I), 114 Ariz. 186, 196, 560 P.2d 41, 51 (1976), cert. denied, 433 U.S. 915, 97 S.Ct. 2988, 53 L.Ed.2d 1101 (1977). Robinson offered no mitigating circumstances and we agree with the trial court that none exist. Washington argues the presence of four mitigating circumstances. He contends that his intoxication, his minor role, his youthfulness, and his familial activities prior to the homicide all constitute mitigating circumstances. Intoxication can be a mitigating circumstance. A.R.S. § 13-703(G)(1); State v. Gillies (Gillies II), 142 Ariz. 564, 571, 691 P.2d 655, 662 (1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1059, 105 S.Ct. 1775, 84 L.Ed.2d 834 (1985). However, evidence of Washington's intoxication was sparse. There was no showing that his consumption of alcohol impaired him to any degree. Washington maintains that his participation was minor. However, the state, during the aggravation-mitigation hearing, produced evidence of Washington's post-arrest statement. Washington said he was advised by Robinson prior to going to the Hills' home that the mission was to steal cocaine and money from a drug trafficker and that it might be necessary to kill the residents if difficulty was encountered. Evidence at trial showed that Washington carried a .38-caliber handgun into the Hills' home, helped ransack their home, and did nothing to prevent the killing of Sterleen and the shooting of Ralph. Washington was not a minor participant. Washington argues that his youthfulness is a mitigating factor. On June 8, 1987, Washington was 27 years old. We have refused to find age as a mitigating circumstance in cases where the defendant was much younger than Washington. See, e.g., State v. Walton, 159 Ariz. 571, 589, 769 P.2d 1017, 1035, cert. granted, 493 U.S. ___, 110 S.Ct. 49, 107 L.Ed.2d 18 (1989) (age 20 not a mitigating factor); State v. Gerlaugh, 144 Ariz. 449, 460, 698 P.2d 694, 705 (1985) (age 19 not a mitigating factor); State v. Clabourne, 142 Ariz. 335, 348, 690 P.2d 54, 67 (1984) (age 20 not a mitigating factor); State v. Gillies (Gillies I), 135 Ariz. 500, 513, 662 P.2d 1007, 1020 (1983) (age 20 not a mitigating factor). But see State v. Valencia, 132 Ariz. 248, 250, 645 P.2d 239, 241 (1982) (age 16 sufficiently young to establish mitigating factor). We agree with the trial court that Washington's age was not a mitigating factor. Finally, Washington argues that prior to the slaying he was a single parent raising a young son. However, viewed in the overall context of this case, this is not such a mitigating circumstance as to require the vacating of the death sentence imposed against him. We agree with the trial court's determination that no mitigating circumstances exist so as to warrant vacating either Robinson's or Washington's death sentences.