Opinion ID: 2382089
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Count IThe Murder of Evelyn Sparks

Text: After careful review of the record and transcript, this Court finds that the death verdict returned for the murder of Evelyn Sparks was not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor. The court found beyond a reasonable doubt that the murder of Evelyn Sparks was committed while the offender was engaged in the commission or attempted commission of another unlawful homicide. § 565.032.2(2). The court also found that the murder in the first degree was committed while the defendant was engaged in the perpetration ... of any degree of ... burglary. [4]  § 565.032.2(11). This Court finds that the evidence supports the trial court's finding of one statutory circumstance as required by § 565.030.4(1), and supports the other aggravating circumstance found. Considering the crime, the strength of the evidence, and the defendant, this Court finds that the sentence is proportionate to other cases where the sentencer found beyond a reasonable doubt that the murder was committed while the offender was engaged in commission of another unlawful homicide, or that the murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in the perpetration of a burglary. State v. Smith, 944 S.W.2d 901 (Mo. banc 1997) (multiple homicides); State v. Smulls, 935 S.W.2d 9 (Mo. banc 1996) (multiple homicides); State v. Kreutzer, 928 S.W.2d 854 (Mo. banc 1996) (burglary); State v. Richardson, 923 S.W.2d 301 (Mo. banc 1996) (multiple homicides); State v. Tokar, 918 S.W.2d 753 (Mo. banc 1996) (burglary); State v. Gray, 887 S.W.2d 369 (Mo. banc 1994) (multiple homicides); State v. Griffin, 756 S.W.2d 475 (Mo. banc 1988) (multiple homicides, burglary); State v. Schneider, 736 S.W.2d 392 (Mo. banc 1987) (multiple homicides, burglary).