Opinion ID: 4534441
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Garcia moves to waive a jury for sentencing.

Text: ¶33. On January 17, 2017, the day before his scheduled trial, Garcia filed a motion for sentencing by the judge without a jury present. See Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-101(1) (Rev. 2015) (conferring the statutory right to jury sentencing upon conviction or adjudication of guilty of capital murder). The judge held a hearing on the motion the same day. ¶34. The hearing mainly consisted of the trial judge’s advising Garcia of the rights he would be giving up and ensuring Garcia understood the difference between having a jury of twelve of his peers versus one judge sentence him. In particular, the judge highlighted her unique experiences that jurors would not have—namely, prosecuting, defending, and presiding over other capital-murder cases. She also pointed out to Garcia that, as the judge presiding over his case, she had participated in conversations with Garcia and his counsel and 14 had read attorney status reports that a jury would not be privy to. Instead of ruling on the motion that day, she advised Garcia to think about his decision overnight and to consult with his attorney. X. Garcia pleads guilty and waives a jury for sentencing. ¶35. The next day, on January 18, 2017, Garcia pled guilty to the capital murder of JT. Garcia gave the factual basis for his plea. He claimed he went to the trailer that night with Gray, who had asked for his help. Inside, he found five-year-old JT already bound by socks to a chair, face down. Garcia proceeded to anally rape JT. After he ejaculated, he realized JT had “defecated everywhere.” Garcia stated that he thought JT was dead at that point. Only later did he realize she was not dead, only unconscious. Because Garcia had not used a condom, he tried to clean her off. Both men carried her to the bathroom, and Garcia used the cap from a spray bottle to dip water from the toilet tank to rinse her. With Gray’s help, Garcia hung JT from the neck using the socks that had bound her to the chair. Gray held JT while Garcia tied her to the shower window. Garcia then rinsed the backside of her body and flipped her around to wash her front. He left JT’s body hanging in the trailer and went straight to the apartment’s laundry room because his clothes were covered in fecal matter. Afterwards, he showered. ¶36. The State then presented the proof it would offer at trial. Based on Garcia’s admissions and the State’s factual basis, the trial court accepted Garcia’s guilty plea. ¶37. Having waived his right to trial, Garcia proceeded to waive his right to a jury for sentencing. Garcia explained his decision: 15 Garcia: Ma’am, I feel more comfortable having one individual, not 12, presiding over my sentencing. And I believe since you know me already and you can make that decision properly without any, you know, problems, ma’am. Court: Let me ask you this, Mr. Garcia. Do you think that if the proof is there that I would have any hesitation at all in imposing the death penalty? Garcia: No, ma’am. Court: Do you think if the proof is not there that I would have any hesitation at all in imposing life without parole? Garcia: Yes, ma’am, I understand. Court: So you think I would have some hesitation? Garcia: Oh, no, no, ma’am. Court: So you think—you don’t, you’re not hedging your bets here thinking I would lean one way or the other? Garcia: No, ma’am. Court: Okay. And you understand I will make that decision just like a jury would make it. It’s just that the state, as I explained to you, would only have to convince me. Garcia: Yes, ma’am. Court: Not 12 people. All right? Garcia: Yes, ma’am, I understand. Court: All right. And so you believe that you’ve had sufficient time and sufficient advice to make this decision of your own free will? Garcia: Yes, ma’am. 16 ¶38. The judge then questioned Garcia’s counsel to ensure Garcia had been given adequate time to consider his decision and had based his decision on the proper factors. Both of Garcia’s lawyers answered that they and Dr. Storer had spoken at length with Garcia about what his decision would mean and that Garcia was sure that he wanted to waive a jury. After offering Garcia another opportunity to take more time to make his decision, which he declined, the trial court granted Garcia’s motion to waive jury sentencing.