Opinion ID: 1171991
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the Trial Court Err in Granting the State's Motion to Consolidate the Escape and Post-Escape Charges?

Text: Defendant next asserts that consolidation of the charges against him was improper under Rule 13.3, Ariz.R.Crim.P., 17 A.R.S. He maintains that the crime of escape was complete when he escaped from custody and that the two subsequent groups of crimes were unrelated to the escape or to each other. Rule 13.3 governs the joinder and consolidation of criminal offenses. Subsection (a) provides that offenses can be joined if they (1) Are of the same or similar character; or (2) Are based on the same conduct or are otherwise connected together in their commission; or (3) Are alleged to have been a part of a common scheme or plan. Provided the offenses fit into one or more of these categories, subsection (c) permits consolidation in whole or in part by the court or upon motion of either party, provided that the ends of justice will not be defeated thereby. In State v. Via, 146 Ariz. 108, 115, 704 P.2d 238, 245 (1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1048, 106 S.Ct. 1268, 89 L.Ed.2d 577 (1986), we held that consolidation is proper where the evidence relating to one set of charges would be admissible on another set as part of the complete picture. More specifically, we have let stand a lower court ruling approving consolidation where the earlier offense was used to show the motive for the later. State v. Guillen, 151 Ariz. 115, 118, 726 P.2d 212, 215 (App. 1986) (consolidation of molestation and child abuse charges proper to show why beatings were being administered), rev. denied (1986). We have also approved consolidation where the earlier offense was used to show the means by which the later offense was committed. State v. Martinez-Villareal, 145 Ariz. 441, 445-46, 702 P.2d 670, 674-75 (consolidation of burglary and murder counts proper where murder weapon was obtained in the burglary), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 975, 106 S.Ct. 339, 88 L.Ed.2d 324 (1985). In this case, evidence of defendant's escape from the courthouse was relevant to his motive for committing the crimes against both Ramirez and Brown. Defendant was apparently in search of three things to remove himself as far as possible from the scene of the first crimes: he needed a vehicle, a weapon, and money. He sought all three from both victims and succeeded in obtaining a rifle from Ramirez, a car and cash from Brown. In addition, evidence of the rifle stolen from Ramirez was relevant to show how the crimes against Brown took place. Defendant was pointing Ramirez's rifle at Brown when he entered the convenience store where she worked. He used the weapon as an actual or implied threat as he forced her to empty the cash register and then accompany him out of Tucson. The decision to grant a motion to consolidate is within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Kinkade, 140 Ariz. 91, 93, 680 P.2d 801, 803 (1984). We find no abuse of that discretion and therefore reject defendant's second assignment of error.