Opinion ID: 1371864
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Support the Death Penalty.

Text: We are required to review imposition of the death penalty pursuant to NRS 177.055 and must consider: (a) Any errors enumerated by way of appeal; (b) Whether the evidence supports the finding of an aggravating circumstance or circumstances; (c) Whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any arbitrary factor; and (d) Whether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases in this state, considering both the crime and the defendant. The appellant concedes that there is sufficient evidence to support the finding of the first aggravating circumstance, a previous felony conviction involving violence. He contends, however, that the other aggravating circumstances are unsupportable and, without their support, the mitigating evidence outweighs the evidence in aggravation. We disagree. NRS 200.030(4)(a) provides that only one aggravating circumstance is necessary for imposition of the death penalty. There is, however, substantial evidence to support the finding of the other aggravating circumstances. The attempted sexual assault is supported by such evidence as the victim's nearly nude body, the bloodstains on the victim's body and the appellant's undershorts, as well as the bite marks on the victim's abdomen, breasts, and in her vaginal area. Similarly, there is substantial evidence to support a finding that the murder involved torture, depravity of the mind, or mutilation of the victim. There is extensive evidence demonstrating the heinous, brutal nature of the beating which resulted in the death of Darlene Joyce Miller. Considering both the crime and the defendant, we conclude that the death penalty is not excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases in this state. E.g., State v. Sala, 63 Nev. 270, 169 P.2d 524 (1946). See Bean v. State, 81 Nev. 25, 398 P.2d 251 (1965). Cf. Briano v. State, 94 Nev. 422, 581 P.2d 5 (1978) (life imprisonment); Pinana v. State, 76 Nev. 274, 352 P.2d 824 (1960) (life imprisonment). Lastly, appellant contends that the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any arbitrary factor. NRS 177.055(2)(c). The record is devoid of any such evidence.