Opinion ID: 1711278
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: evidence of changed conditions

Text: Appellant asserts that his sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment because his attitude and character have changed during his sixteen years of confinement. He wants his penalty stayed so that he can introduce evidence that he has been a model prisoner and a religious convert during the interim in which our system of justice has been considering his myriad appeals. From such evidence, he would have us conclude that it is no longer equitable to impose the ultimate penalty fixed by the jury in this case. However, even if these facts were proven, they would afford no basis for relieving Appellant from the punishment legally imposed for the crimes which he has committed. We are unpersuaded by the reasoning of the Supreme Court of Arizona as expressed in State v. Richmond, 180 Ariz. 573, 886 P.2d 1329 (1994). These are arguments more properly addressed in a plea to the executive for clemency under Section 77 of our Constitution. Because Movant has failed to affirmatively allege any facts which, if true, would justify vacating his sentence under CR 60.02, Gross v. Commonwealth, supra, at 856. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the order of the Madison Circuit Court is AFFIRMED and that Appellant's motion for CR 60.02 relief and for a stay of his execution is DENIED. All concur. ENTERED: June 26, 1997. /s/ Robert F. Stephens Chief Justice