Opinion ID: 2329361
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Theodore Kosewicz's Aggravating Factor Verdict

Text: ¶ 37 Because the same analysis no longer applies to Kosewicz's aggravating factor verdict, I must concur in the majority's resolution of this case as to Kosewicz. Five justices of this court recently held that aggravating factors must appear in the charging documents in order to give adequate notice to the defendant. State v. Powell, 167 Wash.2d 672, 689-90, 695, 223 P.3d 493 (2009) (plurality opinion). Under Powell, the situation in Kosewicz's case is analogous to Brown's felony murder case. In both instances, another underlying crime is an essential element, or functional equivalent of an element, of the primary crime charged, and the State should thus be required to declare in the information the elements of an aggravating crime it intends to prove. While I agree with the analysis of the five justices concurring and dissenting in Powell, this court has recently overturned Powell 's requirement that aggravating factors appear in the charging documents to provide notice to the defendant. Siers, 274 P.3d at 361. Therefore, I concur with the majority that under the law as it now stands Kosewicz's conviction should be affirmed.