Opinion ID: 2686798
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The State’s Closing Argument

Text: In its closing argument, the State contended that it had proven certain statutory aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. First, Mendoza was previously convicted of another “felony involving the use . . . of violence to the person”—specifically, the armed robbery and battery of Street. See Fla. Stat. § 921.141(5)(b). Second, Mendoza killed Calderon “for pecuniary gain.” See id. § 921.141(5)(f). Third, Mendoza committed his capital felony while he was engaged in the commission of a robbery. See id. § 921.141(5)(d). The State argued against the presence of any mitigating circumstances. As for the non-capital sentences of Humberto and Lazaro Cuellar, the State pointed out that there were material differences between Mendoza and the Cuellar brothers beyond the obvious fact that Mendoza was the shooter. For example: (1) Lazaro stayed in the car, whereas Mendoza did not; (2) Humberto was shot during the offense, whereas Mendoza shot Calderon four times; (3) Humberto had no prior criminal record, whereas Mendoza had a prior robbery conviction; (4) Humberto 22 Case: 13-14968 Date Filed: 07/31/2014 Page: 23 of 58 and Lazaro entered into plea agreements, whereas Mendoza pled not guilty; and (5) Mendoza planned the robbery and recruited Humberto and Lorenzo. Next, the State argued that Mendoza was not “under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance” at the time of the murder. See Fla. Stat. § 921.141(6)(b). The State acknowledged that Mendoza, while in prison, had been prescribed psychiatric medication and that he had some history of emotional problems during childhood. The State asked the jury to focus, however, on his mental state at the time of the murder in 1992. The State maintained that Ms. Mendoza’s testimony did not cast doubt on Mendoza’s culpability. Although Dr. Toomer reported substance abuse, the State argued it was based on Mendoza’s self-reporting, and thus unreliable. The State also pointed out that Mendoza did not seek mental health treatment upon arriving in the United States. The State challenged Dr. Toomer’s testimony, arguing, inter alia, that Dr. Toomer was biased towards the defense. The State disputed Dr. Toomer’s opinion that Mendoza could be rehabilitated.