Opinion ID: 1059872
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: continuing serious threat to society

Text: Walton argues that the trial court erred by holding that the Commonwealth's evidence [was] sufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the statutory aggravator of future dangerousness in violation of Walton's rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, because ... Walton had no prior history of significant violent offenses. Continuing, Walton says that his prior criminal history does not demonstrate a propensity for violence, that the circumstances surrounding the crimes that are the subject of this appeal do not show a propensity for violence, and that the credible evidence of record in this case does not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he poses a threat of future danger. We disagree with Walton's assertions. Code § 19.2-264.4(C) states, in relevant part: The penalty of death shall not be imposed unless the Commonwealth shall prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a probability based upon evidence of the prior history of the defendant or of the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offense of which he is accused that he would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing serious threat to society.... The evidence of record supports the trial court's finding beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a probability based upon both Walton's prior history and the circumstances surrounding the commission of the present offenses that he would constitute a continuing serious threat to society. The evidence of record reveals that Walton killed an 80-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman by shooting both victims in the head. Walton killed Mr. Kendrick by placing the muzzle of the pistol tightly against the top of the victim's head and then discharging the weapon. Walton later shot Moore in the head and killed him simply because he wanted to drive Moore's car. When Walton was incarcerated awaiting trial for the capital offenses, he described the murders to several inmates, including Lacy Johnson, to whom he related the following facts. Walton had broken into the Kendricks' residence when the Kendricks unexpectedly arrived home. Walton forced Mr. Kendrick to lie face down on the floor. Walton then turned to Mrs. Kendrick, who dropped down to [her] knees, and started begging and crying. Walton told her to shut up, and then he shot her in the top of the head. Walton then looked over at Mr. Kendrick, who was laying there crying, and [Walton] started laughing at him, and he walked over to him. As [Walton] walked over to [Mr. Kendrick], [Walton] tried to cut his throat, with a knife. [Walton] said that didn't work, so he leaned down, and shot him in the top of the head. Walton told Johnson that Walton had seen the Kendricks before, but they didn't really matter to him ... they won't nobody. Walton also related the following facts to Johnson about Moore's murder. Walton went to Moore's apartment and asked to use his telephone. Moore permitted him to do so, and Walton called his own home telephone number. Walton then returned to his home and used a telephone feature to acquire Moore's telephone number. He later returned to Moore's residence and asked to use the phone again. Moore hesitated by looking at Walton, who then smiled. In response, Moore invited Walton in to use his telephone. When Moore handed to Walton a portable telephone, Walton, using his pistol, fired a shot at Moore, which missed. Walton fired a second shot which hit [Moore] over the eye. Then, Walton demonstrated to Johnson how he had killed Moore by dropp[ing] to the floor ... laughing. According to Johnson, Walton said: [A]fter he did the first killing, he knew what he wanted to do. And then he said that he wanted to be famous, for killing a bunch of people, and that's why he wanted a high powered enough gun, where he can kill everybody over in Cabin Lake, and he wanted to catch everybody, like at the swimming pool one day, and just gun `em all down.... [H]e wanted to be famous... especially, in Danville, for killing a bunch of folks. We hold that the facts and circumstances surrounding these murders are sufficient to support the trial court's finding of future dangerousness. Moreover, Walton's criminal history also supports the trial court's finding of future dangerousness. Walton had been convicted of statutory burglary and grand larceny. He had also been convicted of resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer. As a juvenile, Walton was convicted of two different offenses of possession of a firearm and one charge of assault and battery.