Opinion ID: 2631807
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Multiple use and counting of aggravating circumstances

Text: Defendant claims that multiple use and counting of various facts as aggravating circumstances artificially inflated the statutory factors favoring death. We find no improper multiple use or counting. Defendant points to the dual felony counts of robbery and burglary, observing that they served as two theories for felony murder and the felony-murder special circumstances, rendering him doubly eligible for the death penalty. These felonies were also used as circumstances of the crime charged under section 190.3, factor (a). Our cases allow use of a felony to qualify a defendant both for first degree murder and for a special circumstance justifying the death penalty. (See People v. Ochoa, supra, 19 Cal.4th at p. 479, 79 Cal.Rptr.2d 408, 966 P.2d 442; People v. Memro, supra, 11 Cal.4th at pp. 886-887, 47 Cal.Rptr.2d 219, 905 P.2d 1305; People v. Marshall, supra, 50 Cal.3d at pp. 945-946, 269 Cal.Rptr. 269, 790 P.2d 676.) The Attorney General observes that defendant failed to request an instruction limiting dual consideration of such crimes both as special circumstances and as circumstances of the crime under section 190.3. (See People v. Welch, supra, 20 Cal.4th at p. 769, 85 Cal.Rptr.2d 203, 976 P.2d 754; People v. Ashmus (1991) 54 Cal.3d 932, 997, 2 Cal.Rptr.2d 112, 820 P.2d 214.)