Opinion ID: 1099664
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 28

Heading: capital sentence review addendum

Text: Article I § 20 of the Louisiana Constitution prohibits cruel, excessive or unusual punishment. Pursuant to La. Code Crim Proc. art. 905.9 and Louisiana Supreme Court Rule 28, this Court reviews every sentence of death to determine if it is constitutionally excessive. In making the determination the Court considers whether the sentence was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or arbitrary factors; whether the evidence supports the jury's findings with respect to the statutory aggravating circumstances; and, whether the sentence is disproportionate considering both the offense and the offender. Defendant, Roy Bridgewater, is an African-American male, who was 17-years-old at commission of the offense. He is one of four children born to his mother. His mother was 15 years old when defendant was born. Bridgewater's highest level of education is the 7th grade. When defendant was five years old his father was incarcerated and his mother married Bridgewater's step-father who was a strict disciplinarian. The defendant is the father of one child, a son, who was approximately one year old at the time of trial. Defendant's contribution to the support of his son is unknown. There are two victims, Nelson Beaugh, Caucasian male (45 years old at the time of death) and Della Beaugh, a Caucasian female (70 years old at the time of death). The victims were mother and son and the offense was committed in the home of Nelson Beaugh. In mitigation, the defense emphasized Bridgewater's unstable family environment and defendant's age.