Opinion ID: 1264824
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Proportionality (RCW 10.95.130(2)(b))

Text: RCW 10.95.130(2)(b) mandates we must undertake a proportionality review in every capital case to determine: Whether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, considering both the crime and the defendant. For the purposes of this subsection, similar cases means cases reported in the Washington Reports or Washington Appellate Reports since January 1, 1965, in which the judge or jury considered the imposition of capital punishment regardless of whether it was imposed or executed, and cases in which reports have been filed with the supreme court under RCW 10.95.120[.] The purpose of proportionality review is to discourage random arbitrariness and imposition of the death sentence in a racially discriminatory manner. Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 555, 940 P.2d 546; see also Gentry, 125 Wash.2d at 655, 888 P.2d 1105. In meeting this purpose, we consider both the crime and the defendant in light of other similar cases to determine whether death was imposed  generally in similar cases, and not imposed wantonly and freakishly. Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 555, 940 P.2d 546. After several modifications of proportionality review, [25] and recognizing mathematical precision is unworkable and unnecessary, Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 555, 940 P.2d 546, we have established a four-part test in analyzing the crime and the defendant in relation to similar cases. The four factors include: (1) the nature of the crime, (2) the aggravating circumstances, (3) the defendant's criminal history and (4) the defendant's personal history. Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 555-56, 940 P.2d 546. Contrary to Elmore's assertions, a statistical approach is not required. If the facts of Elmore's case are similar to some of the facts taken from cases in which the death penalty was upheld, the proportionality review is satisfied. See Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 556-60, 940 P.2d 546. As we noted in Dodd: The concept of proportionality does not require precise uniformity between cases. Precise uniformity is not possible because the brutal and extreme [crimes] with which we deal in death penalty cases, are unique and cannot be matched up like so many points on a graph. Instead, the court looks for overlapping similarities and common resemblances between cases. Dodd, 120 Wash.2d at 26, 838 P.2d 86 (citations omitted). Accord Lord, 117 Wash.2d at 910-11, 822 P.2d 177. a. Nature of the Crime Elmore brutally raped and tortured his stepdaughter. Comparing the facts of this case with similar cases reveals that Elmore's crime is at least as vicious as other cases in which the death penalty was imposed. See, e.g., Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Rupe, No. 81-1-00316-1 (Thurston County Super. Ct. June 7, 1983) (single gunshot wound to the head, no torture); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Benn, No. 88-1-01280-8 (Pierce County Super. Ct. June 12, 1990) (gunshot wounds to front of trunk and back of head, no torture); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Harris, No. 84-1-01190-6 (Pierce County Super. Ct. Jan. 14, 1985) (gunshot wounds to head and neck, no torture, contract killing); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Gentry, No. 88-1-00395-3 (Kitsap County Super. Ct. July 22, 1991) (victim chased through woods, sexually assaulted and bludgeoned to death); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Lord, No. 86-1-00470-8 (Kitsap County Super. Ct. Aug. 18, 1987) (defendant took female to his house where he knocked her unconscious, raped her, and then beat her to death with a hammer). See also Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 557 n. 56, 940 P.2d 546. b. Aggravating Circumstances While a single aggravator will support the death penalty, Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 558, 940 P.2d 546, Elmore's crime involved two aggravating circumstances, each of which supported an enhanced penalty. A sentence of death in this case is certainly not disproportionate when compared to other cases where a verdict of death was supported by only one aggravating factor. See Report of the Trial Judge, Gentry, Benn, Harris (each finding death penalty not disproportionate based on single aggravating factor); see also Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Jeffries, No. 6488 (Clallam County Super. Ct. Nov. 18, 1983) (death penalty upheld where there were two aggravating factors). c. Defendant's Criminal History Elmore's criminal history includes a 1973 conviction for first degree forgery, a 1976 conviction for burglary, and a 1977 conviction for grand larceny. Contrary to Elmore's contention, these are not all minor property crimes. Opening Br. of Appellant on Conflict Issues at 15. Moreover, burglary is viewed as a crime of violence. See RCW 9.41.010(11)(a); WPIC 133.51. The death penalty has been imposed in cases where the defendant had little to no criminal history. See Report of the Trial Judge, Rupe (no criminal history, no torture); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Mak, No. 83-1-00504-0 (King County Super. Ct. Oct. 19, 1983) (no history); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Bartholomew, No. 81-1-00579-1 (Pierce County Super. Ct. Dec. 21, 1981) (nonviolent theft, trespass, possession of stolen property, no physical torture of victim); Report of the Trial Judge, State v. Rice, No. 85-1-01004-0 (King County Super. Ct. July 21, 1986) (nonviolent history of lewd conduct and grand theft auto); Report of the Trial Court, Benn (nonviolent thefts, grand larceny and numerous misdemeanors). Elmore's death sentence is not disproportionate when compared to the nonviolent nature of Benn's, Bartholomew's, and Rice's criminal pasts, and the complete nonexistence of criminal history in Rupe and Mak. See also Dodd, 120 Wash.2d at 27, 838 P.2d 86 (Lack of criminal history, alone, however, does not render a sentence disproportionate.). d. Defendant's Personal History Elmore's personal history does not excuse his crime. The role of mitigation evidence is to reduce culpability for a crime that has already been proved. Pirtle, 127 Wash.2d at 688, 904 P.2d 245. Elmore offered mitigating evidence that his alcoholic father hit him with a belt and was generally abusive. Although commonly asserted, a history of abuse as a child seldom affects the outcome of aggravated first-degree murder cases. Id.; Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 559, 940 P.2d 546. See also Rice, 110 Wash.2d at 592-96, 757 P.2d 889 (deep personality disorder but no organic brain dysfunction, death penalty upheld). Thus, we have previously affirmed a verdict of death in cases where the facts are less brutal and include fewer aggravating factors, where the defendant had no criminal history, and where more mitigating factors existed. Given the very clear parallels to Gentry and Lord, we cannot say Elmore's death sentence shocks the conscience of this Court. Elmore's death sentence is neither excessive nor disproportionate to other cases in which the death penalty has been imposed. The requirements of RCW 10.95.130(2)(b) are met. [26]