Opinion ID: 1036031
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alisa

Text: ¶46 Sufficient evidence supports the jury’s finding that Benson murdered Alisa in an especially cruel manner. Dr. Alan Zhang, a pathologist who performed an autopsy on Alisa’s body, identified three marks on her neck, which indicated that the ligature had to be adjusted during the strangulation, thereby increasing the time it took to strangle her. According to Dr. Zhang, that adjustment, together with an abrasion on Alisa’s chin and other injuries, suggested Alisa had struggled during the strangulation and experienced pain and emotional trauma. Compare State v. Stokley, 182 Ariz. 505, 517, 898 P.2d 454, 466 (1995) (holding “repetitive gripping” of ligature and other indications of a struggle evidenced especial cruelty), with Snelling, 225 Ariz. at 189 ¶¶ 31-32, 236 P.3d at 416 (finding no mental anguish when no evidence of a struggle, and “only a single ligature mark”), and State v. Jimenez, 165 Ariz. 444, 454, 799 P.2d 785, 795 (1990) (finding no especial cruelty when victim strangled “quickly and by surprise and she rapidly lost consciousness”). ¶47 In light of Dr. Zhang’s testimony, the jury could have reasonably found that Alisa was conscious long enough to fight back, experience pain, and suffer mental anguish about her fate. See State v. Morris, 215 Ariz. 324, 341 ¶ 79, 160 P.3d 203, 220 (2007) (upholding especial cruelty when state offered evidence that victims suffered and struggled during strangulation); State v. Sansing, 206 Ariz. 232, 236 ¶ 10, 77 P.3d 30, 34 (2003) (“[D]efensive wounds, . . . pleas for help, and [the victim’s] attempts to resist” establish “mental anguish as she contemplated her ultimate fate.”). Because Benson witnessed the injuries and Alisa’s 13 STATE v. TRENT CHRISTOPHER BENSON Opinion of the Court conscious struggles, he knew or should have known that she suffered physical pain and mental anguish. ¶48 Sufficient evidence supports the jury’s finding that Benson murdered Alisa in an especially cruel manner. Given this conclusion, we need not decide whether the evidence also suffices to support the jury’s finding that Benson killed Alisa in an especially heinous or depraved manner.