Opinion ID: 2428694
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Statutory Aggravators

Text: Appellant contends that the State did not prove the aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically appellant argues that as to the first statutory aggravator, the State did not present sufficient evidence that he acted at Martindale's direction. Where a defendant challenges the sufficiency of evidence to support an aggravating circumstance, the test is whether a reasonable juror could reasonably find from the evidence that the proposition advanced is true beyond a reasonable doubt. Brown, 902 S.W.2d at 294. This point has already been resolved against appellant. Appellant also contends that the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim was rendered helpless. This Court need not address this point because the State did prove the first aggravator, that the appellant killed the victim at Martindale's direction. The jury need find only one statutory aggravating circumstance in order to recommend imposition of the death penalty. Tokar, 918 S.W.2d at 772; Weaver, 912 S.W.2d at 522. Appellant finally asserts that the depravity of mind aggravator is unconstitutionally vague. This Court has rejected that argument repeatedly. Tokar, 918 S.W.2d at 772; State v. Mease, 842 S.W.2d 98, 113 (Mo. banc 1992), cert. denied, 508 U.S. 918, 113 S.Ct. 2363, 124 L.Ed.2d 269 (1993).