Opinion ID: 1384747
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: issues

Text: Defendant Rodney Maurice Cartwright was convicted of first degree murder, burglary and sexual assault. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and to twenty-one years each on the burglary and sexual assault, all to be served consecutively. He appeals directly to this court pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-4031. Following the filing of defendant's brief by counsel, defendant himself, with leave of court, filed a supplemental brief. We believe the two briefs, taken together, raise the following issues for our review: (1) Whether the trial court erred in refusing to ask the jury panel a voir dire question requested by the defendant. (2) Whether witness Morales' in-court identification of defendant was tainted by prior identification procedures or by improper prompting of the prosecutor. (3) Whether the defendant's conviction for sexual assault was supported by the evidence. (4) Whether the prosecutor improperly referred to items not in evidence in his opening statement and closing argument. (5) Whether the trial court erred in sentencing defendant to consecutive sentences. (6) Whether defendant was denied effective assistance of trial counsel. We have jurisdiction pursuant to Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5(3) and A.R.S. § 13-4031. Finding no error, we affirm.