Opinion ID: 2569354
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 44

Heading: Whether the subsection (5)(g) aggravating factor is invalid because it was based on the conviction for second degree kidnapping.

Text: Harlan's next argument is that the second degree kidnapping of Maloney charge is an impermissible basis for subsection (5)(g) because the conviction was improperly obtained. We have already rejected this argument. See supra Opinion Part III.C. Therefore, the jury could properly base its finding of subsection (5)(g) on the second degree kidnapping conviction. The defendant also claims that, because the second degree kidnapping charge formed the factual predicate for the felony murder conviction, the jury necessarily also found the subsection (5)(g) aggravator when it convicted Harlan of felony murder. Thus, the defendant's argument proceeds, subsection (5)(g) failed to present a principled reason for imposition of the death sentence. This argument fails because Harlan was not sentenced to death for the felony murder conviction. The defendant's convictions for first degree murder after deliberation and felony murder merged for the purposes of sentencing. The felony murder conviction, therefore, was not taken into account by the jury when deciding what sentence to impose on the defendant. The jury sentenced Harlan to death for the first degree murder after deliberation conviction, which does not require the commission of an underlying felony, as does felony murder. Thus, the jury did not automatically find subsection (5)(g) when it convicted Harlan of first degree murder after deliberation.