Opinion ID: 2499529
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The charges and trial

Text: The State charged Maestas with first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon, and burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon. The State also filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty, alleging two aggravating circumstances: (1) the murder occurred in the commission of a burglary and (2) the victim was under 14 years of age. After Maestas pleaded guilty to all of the charges, the case proceeded before a jury to determine the sentence to be imposed for the first-degree-murder charge as required by NRS 175.552(l)(b). When the jury was unable to reach a verdict, the district court declared a mistrial and impaneled a second jury as authorized by NRS 175.556(1). At the second penalty hearing, the State proceeded on a single aggravating circumstanceKristyanna's age. The State also presented other matter evidence, NRS 175.552(3), including the facts and circumstances of the crime and the impact on Brittany of her physical and psychological injuries and the loss of her sister. Regarding the latter, Brittany's foster mother, Judith Himel, testified that when Brittany came to live with her about three years before the trial, Brittany was very apprehensive, needed quite a bit of assistance, and was in a great deal of pain. During the day, Brittany was generally happy, playing with other children, swimming, and going to school. But at night, she was frightened and had difficulty sleeping. She often required a sedative and insisted on having a light and a television on. On Kristyanna's birthday and the date of her death, Brittany releases balloons. Himel testified that Brittany receives counseling and physical therapy. She also related that Brittany is an A/B student, on the honor roll, is active in sports, and is about to enter high school. In mitigation, Maestas presented six witnesses, including family members, his former school probation officer, and a psychologist, and several letters from relatives and friends. The mitigation case focused on Maestas' youth (he was 19 at the time of the attack), abusive and dysfunctional childhood and relationship with his parents (especially his mother), character and exposure to illegal substances, cognitive functioning, admission of guilt, and remorse. Maestas' oldest sister, Misty, provided the most compelling testimony concerning Maestas' troubled childhood. Misty related that their father, Harry Maestas, was in prison for murdering several people but apparently received periodic furloughs on the weekends. Misty described Harry as violent and threatening. He physically and emotionally abused Misty and her siblings. For example, when Harry was home on furlough he would wake the children up at 3 or 4 a.m. to conduct closet checks. If the children's clothes were not hung or folded properly or their shoelaces were not tucked in their shoes, he would beat them. Harry beat Maestas when he was three years old because Maestas could not tie his shoes. According to Misty, their mother, Marilyn Maestas, was an equally bad parent. When Misty and her siblings were young, Marilyn sold drugs, even taking a job as a truck driver to facilitate her drug dealing. Marilyn physically and emotionally abused Maestas. She encouraged Maestas' use of drugs at an early agehe started using marijuana when he was 7 years oldand allowed him to consume hard liquor at the age of 10. Marilyn was present when Maestas started using methamphetamine at age 13. Marilyn was emotionally abusive to Maestas, constantly belittling him and calling him horrible and degrading names. When Maestas returned home after running away, Marilyn beat him. Marilyn and Harry never displayed any affection toward the children. Misty described Maestas as a hyperactive child, who was angry and confused by the way their parents treated him. She related positive aspects of Maestas' life: he held a variety of jobs, was very active in sports, and was CPR trained and certified. Finally, Misty testified that she loved her brother very much and that she would maintain a relationship with him if he received a life sentence. Maestas' stepmother, Linda Maestas, and his stepbrothers, Christopher and Kevin Buckner, testified about the adverse affect that Marilyn had on her son's life, which they witnessed when Maestas would stay with them. At the beginning of Maestas' visits, he was troubled, disobedient, and preoccupied, but in time he relaxed and would get into school, into sports, and spend time at home watching movies, playing games, acted like a normal kid, and adjusted well to being in a family. Maestas' disposition would change, becoming sad and withdrawn, when he received telephone calls from Marilyn demanding that he return to her. Maestas' stepmother and stepbrothers also testified to his good character and their relationships with him. Kevin described Maestas as always looking out for people, including his family. Linda described Maestas as a sweet boy who wanted to please people. She also related that she loved Maestas very much and that she was shocked to hear about his crimes, as Maestas had never displayed violence when he lived with her. Maestas' toxic relationship with his mother was further illustrated through the testimony of his former school probation officer, Ana Archuleta, who was assigned to Maestas at a high school that he attended in Utah. On their first visit to her office, Archuleta observed that Marilyn and Maestas had a very volatile relationship. Marilyn was very angry and aggressive and called Maestas derogatory names. Although Archuleta recommended that Marilyn participate in counseling with Maestas, she refused. While under Archuleta's supervision, Maestas was respectful to her and raised his grades. However, in December 2000, Maestas violated his probation by not returning home one night and he was arrested. Marilyn refused to allow Maestas to reside with her, and he was placed with his grandmother in Mesquite, Nevada. Other than seeing Maestas at a court appearance the year before his murder trial, Archuleta had no contact with Maestas after he went to live with his grandmother. Letters from relatives and friends expressed shock over the crimes, stating that Maestas' actions were out of character for him and that drugs must have influenced his actions. He was described in the letters as polite, respectful, helpful, and friendly. Psychologist David Schmidt testified to Maestas' cognitive functioning. He opined that Maestas exhibited impaired fluid reasoning, which is the capacity to gather information and solve problems. Dr. Schmidt explained that fluid reasoning lessens impulsivity as a person matures and allows a person to understand the consequences of actions and stop impulsive responses. Dr. Schmidt explained that although he supports the death penalty in some cases, he did not here because Maestas was functioning at a level well below his age at the time of the offenses. [3] Dr. Schmidt also opined that Maestas was remorseful for his actions and suggested that Maestas' letters referring to slaughtering those pigies [sic] and asking Monique to harm Bantam could be attributed to posturing and bravado. Maestas made a statement in allocution. He conveyed his remorse, apologized to his and the victims' families, and expressed his horror at his actions. The jury found that the single aggravating circumstanceKristyanna's agehad been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. One or more jurors also found several mitigating circumstances: (1) no significant history of prior criminal activity, (2) extreme emotional and physical abuse during childhood, (3) emotional abandonment by parents, (4) lack of any significant positive male role model during childhood, (5) exposure to criminal activity throughout childhood, (6) exposure to illegal and harmful substances throughout childhood, (7) extremely dysfunctional nuclear family, (8) admission of guilt, and (9) expression of remorse. [4] The jury then unanimously found that the aggravating circumstance outweighs any mitigating circumstance or circumstances [5] and sentenced Maestas to death. [6] He appealed from the judgment of conviction.