Opinion ID: 2320980
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Aggravating Circumstance of Torture

Text: Having determined appellant's conviction should be affirmed, we proceed to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the finding of torture, the sole aggravating circumstance supporting the death sentence and the only sentencing phase claim. The trial court concluded sufficient evidence supported the jury's finding the Commonwealth had proven the aggravating circumstance of torture. The court noted the victim was missing for over 24 hours, suggesting her injuries could have been sustained over a prolonged time period. The victim sustained ten lacerations to her head and face, at least five of which were not likely to cause death, and most of those were not likely to cause unconsciousness; thus, the court believed it was likely the victim was conscious as appellant was striking her. The victim also suffered two broken ribs, four bruises on her lower lumbar area, two bruises on the front of her left leg, bruising on the front of her left thigh and left calf, a bruise on her right buttock, and a bruise on her left shoulder. The court found the victim's injuries caused her a severe amount of pain which was unnecessarily heinous, atrocious, or cruel, supporting the jury's finding appellant tortured her. Trial Court Opinion, 9/30/09, at 21. Appellant argues there is insufficient evidence to support the aggravating circumstance of torture, as there is no evidence he intended to cause the victim pain separate from his intent to kill. Appellant claims the blows to the victim's head were to a vital area of her body, thus delivered with an intent to kill. Because any one of the majority of these blows could have rendered the victim unconscious, appellant suggests the victim was likely unconscious and not suffering any pain after the first blow. Appellant contends there was no evidence showing the victim's wounds were inflicted over a long time period, or that she was restrained. The Commonwealth argues the victim suffered multiple injuries in both vital and non-vital areas of her body, including multiple non-fatal, but painful, wounds such as her broken ribs. The Commonwealth further contends because not all of the blows were fatal, the jury could have concluded the victim suffered non-fatal blows before she died. As the victim was missing for more than 24 hours, the Commonwealth claims appellant could have injured the victim over that length of time. The problem with the Commonwealth's position is that it cannot prevail by proving what might have happenedit always has the burden to provide the existence of an aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(c)(1)(iii). We have repeatedly explained: To establish that a murder was committed by means of torture, the Commonwealth must show that the defendant intentionally inflicted . . . a considerable amount of pain and suffering that was unnecessarily heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity. Implicit in subsection 8 is the requirement of an intent to cause pain and suffering in addition to the intent to kill. The intent to torture may be proven from the circumstances surrounding the killing. This Court has listed the factors to be considered in determining whether the torture aggravator applies as including, but not limited to: (1) the manner in which the murder was accomplished, including the number and type of wounds inflicted; (2) whether the wounds were inflicted on a vital or non-vital area of the body; (3) whether the victim was conscious when the wounds were received; and (4) the duration of the episode. In reviewing a jury's finding of torture, this Court examines the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, and draws all reasonable inferences in its favor. Montalvo, 986 A.2d at 109-110 (quoting Commonwealth v. Powell, 598 Pa. 224, 956 A.2d 406, 425 (2008)) (internal citations omitted). Although the victim was missing for more then 24 hours, there is no actual evidence regarding the duration of appellant's attack. It is possible the attack took hours, but it is equally possible it was complete in short order. There simply is no evidence to prove how long the assault lastedthere is no proof that appellant engaged in a prolonged attack or a brief intense one. The Commonwealth's burden is not to prove what could have beenit must prove what actually was. Moreover, there is no evidence the victim was conscious when appellant inflicted all these wounds. We previously held [h]ow long a victim can withstand the cruel, depraved attacks of her murderer before unconsciousness overtakes the mind is not part of the Commonwealth's burden nor is such a consideration part of the aggravating circumstance under discussion. Commonwealth v. Thomas, 522 Pa. 256, 561 A.2d 699, 709 (1989). While the jury is not obligated to conclude the first potentially fatal injury resulted in immediate death, Commonwealth v. Pagan, 597 Pa. 69, 950 A.2d 270, 289 (2008), it is clear that `whether the victim was conscious when the wounds were received' is one of the factors in determining whether the torture aggravator applies. Montalvo, 986 A.2d at 110 (quoting Powell, 956 A.2d at 425). A torture aggravator is supported when there is some indication the victim was conscious, or at least could have been alive, when suffering his or her wounds. See, e.g., id. (noting medical testimony found all victim's injuries occurred while she was alive); Powell, 956 A.2d at 426 (observing defendant admitted victim was conscious during multiple beatings); Commonwealth v. Cuevas, 574 Pa. 409, 832 A.2d 388, 395 (2003) (finding witness testified victim was alive after attack); Commonwealth v. Karenbauer, 552 Pa. 420, 715 A.2d 1086, 1099 (1998) (noting medical testimony indicated victim was conscious when attacked); Marinelli, 690 A.2d at 212 (accepting medical testimony that victim was conscious during beating); Commonwealth v. Stevens, 543 Pa. 204, 670 A.2d 623, 628 (1996) (relying upon medical testimony that shooting was incapable of killing or causing victim to lose consciousness). A careful review of the record shows there was no testimony or evidence regarding the order of injuries. Further, there was no evidence as to when in the series of blows the victim lost consciousness or died, or whether she was conscious or alive during the attack. It is possible she did not die until the endit is equally possible, however, that she expired at the outset. As the Commonwealth cannot establish which is true, there was insufficient evidence for the jury to determine the victim was conscious during the attack. We have in other cases affirmed the torture aggravator in the absence of medical testimony showing the victim was conscious during the attack, because there was an indication the victim was alive after being bound and the manner of death included strangulation and stabbing in addition to beating. See Pagan, 950 A.2d at 289. Here, although appellant inflicted multiple blows upon the victim, he did not switch his manner of attack, and he used the same weapon, which is consistent with a concerted and efficient attack. There is no evidence the victim was bound, and none showing appellant was not content to beat the victim. See Karenbauer, 715 A.2d at 1099 (quoting Commonwealth v. Auker, 545 Pa. 521, 681 A.2d 1305, 1321 (1996)) (There must be an indication that the killer was not satisfied with the killing alone.). Just as to read the aggravating circumstance of torture so broadly as to cover all painful demises would be contrary to the General Assembly's intent regarding aggravating circumstances, Commonwealth v. Ockenhouse, 562 Pa. 481, 756 A.2d 1130, 1136 (2000), to find this beating was torture would allow the torture aggravator to be applied to nearly all beating deaths. Such a result would be contrary to the General Assembly's intent. Accordingly, the manner of death does not support a finding that appellant intended to torture the victim. We are mindful that the Commonwealth's theories about the torturous nature of the crime are not inconsistent with the facts, but theories are not the equivalent of proof. There is insufficient evidence from the manner of death to indicate appellant sought to torture the victim. Neither is there actual evidence regarding the duration of appellant's attack, the order of the blows, or at what point in the attack the victim died. As such, there is insufficient evidence to support the aggravating circumstance of torture. If the Supreme Court determines that the death penalty must be vacated because none of the aggravating circumstances are supported by sufficient evidence, then it shall remand for the imposition of a life imprisonment sentence. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(h)(4). Therefore, because there are no other aggravating circumstances to support appellant's death sentence, we must vacate the death sentence and remand this case to the trial court for the imposition of a life sentence. As we are vacating appellant's death sentence, we need not consider whether the sentence imposed was the product of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor. Id., § 9711(h)(3)(i)-(ii). In conclusion, our review of the record establishes sufficient evidence supports appellant's first degree murder conviction, and we reject appellant's guilt phase claims. However, we conclude the Commonwealth was unable to present sufficient evidence to prove the existence of an aggravating circumstance of torture beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, we vacate the sentence of death and remand to the trial court for imposition of a life sentence. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(h)(4). Judgment of sentence of death vacated; case remanded. Jurisdiction relinquished. Chief Justice CASTILLE, Justices SAYLOR, BAER, TODD, McCAFFERY and ORIE MELVIN join the opinion.