Opinion ID: 1127469
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Armed Robbery/Felony Murder

Text: Defendants argue that the state failed to show that force was used in the course of taking property; thus, the armed robbery and felony murder charges lacked substantial evidence. See State v. Lopez, 158 Ariz. 258, 264, 762 P.2d 545, 551 (1988). According to them, the armed robbery charge should have resulted in acquittal. They argue that the evidence only supported a charge of theft, which is not a predicate for felony murder. Therefore, they argue, the felony murder charge should have been dismissed as well. A person commits armed robbery if in the course of taking property from the presence of another against his will, such person is armed with a deadly weapon and threatens or uses force with the intent to coerce the surrender of property or to prevent resistance. A.R.S. งง 13-1902, -1904 (1989). [T]here must be evidence establishing that defendant's intent to commit robbery was coexistent with his use of force. Lopez, 158 Ariz. at 263, 762 P.2d at 550 (quoting State v. Wallace, 151 Ariz. 362, 365, 728 P.2d 232, 235 (1986), cert. denied, 483 U.S. 1011, 107 S.Ct. 3243, 97 L.Ed.2d 748 (1987)). We also have stated that a robbery may also be established when the use of force precedes the actual taking of property, so long as the use of force is accompanied with the intent to take another's property. State v. Comer, 165 Ariz. 413, 421, 799 P.2d 333, 341 (1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 943, 111 S.Ct. 1404, 113 L.Ed.2d 460 (1991). Here, there is evidence that the Murray brothers took property from the store, which was not open for business. Further, there is evidence that they took the property from Morrison's immediate presence, as Morrison's flashlight, keys, and glasses were found on the porch and signs of a struggle were found in the courtyard. Loose coins were disbursed throughout the courtyard, suggesting that the defendants already had taken some property when they subdued Morrison. See id. ([T]he only reasonable inference based on the evidence was that appellant shot [the victim] in furtherance of his previously formulated plan to obtain money and supplies.). Clearly, they were armed, as they were arrested a few hours later with the same weapons as those used on the victims. Thus, this case differs from Lopez, where there was no evidence that force was used in the course of taking property. Roger also claims there is no evidence that he killed, attempted to kill or intended to kill; therefore, the felony murder conviction is invalid. But the state need not prove that defendant killed, attempted to kill, or intended to kill in order to prove felony murder. See A.R.S. 13-1105(A)(2) (Supp. 1994). The state need only prove that defendant, either as a principal or as an accomplice, committed or attempted to commit robbery and that someone was killed in the course of and in furtherance of the robbery. Id.; A.R.S. ง 13-303(A) (1989) (criminal liability based upon conduct of another); see State v. Collins, 111 Ariz. 303, 307, 528 P.2d 829, 833 (1974) (defendant could be convicted and sentenced for first degree murder and armed robbery, even though defendant did not actually shoot victim).