Court Opinion

ID: 6479898
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-26 22:56:17.767774+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:54:07.067525
License: Public Domain

specially concurring.
¶ 12 I concur with the majority based on its discussion of Canion that Williams may not be convicted and sentenced under multiple theories of murder when there is only one victim. However, given that Williams has cited to decisions in other jurisdictions analyzing this issue under the Double Jeopardy Clause and the State has briefed that issue, I would join the majority of jurisdictions and hold that multiple murder convictions of one defendant for the killing of one victim violates the Double Jeopardy Clause.4 I reach that conclusion because first-degree and lesser degree homicides are different theories of the same crime of murder requiring the verdict on the lesser degree crime to be vacated once the jury convicts the defendant of first-degree murder.
¶ 13 Williams contends that as there was only one victim, double jeopardy permitted only a conviction on one theory of homicide and the State should have only been permitted to convict him of one murder, requiring the court to vacate the second-degree murder conviction at sentencing. The State argues that any double jeopardy claim has to be reviewed under Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 304, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932), and because first-degree felony murder and second-degree murder involve different elements, the death of one person can result in convictions of both charges without violating double jeopardy prohibitions.
¶ 14 The standard of review for multiplicity and double jeopardy is de novo, State v. Powers, 200 Ariz. 123, 125, ¶ 5, 23 P.3d 668, 670 (App.2000), and “a violation of double jeopardy is fundamental error.” State v. Siddle, 202 Ariz. 512, 515 n. 2, ¶ 7, 47 P.3d 1150, 1153 n. 2 (App.2002). While Williams did not ask the superior court to vacate his conviction for second-degree murder once the jury convicted him of felony murder, any such error is fundamental, requiring vacation of the lesser conviction.5 Henderson, 210 Ariz. at 567, ¶ 19, 115 P.3d at 607; Canion, 199 Ariz. at 230, ¶ 10, 16 P.3d at 791 (“An illegal sentence can be reversed on appeal despite the lack of an objection.”); State v. Millanes, 180 Ariz. 418, 421, 885 P.2d 106, 109 (App.1994) (holding that “the prohibition against double jeopardy is a fundamental right that is not waived by the failure to raise it in the trial court”).
*162¶ 15 The double jeopardy clause prohibits multiple punishments for the same offense. Ohio v. Johnson, 467 U.S. 493, 497-98, 104 S.Ct. 2536, 81 L.Ed.2d 425 (1984). A conviction is considered punishment and therefore double jeopardy does not permit convictions of multiple counts for a single offense. Ball, 470 U.S. at 861-62, 105 S.Ct. 1668; State v. McPherson, 228 Ariz. 557, 561, ¶ 10, 269 P.3d 1181, 1185 (App.2012).
¶ 16 Generally, in this context, we determine whether conviction under multiple counts for a single victim violates double jeopardy under the Blockburger statutory elements test:
The applicable rule is that, where the same act or transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one, is whether each provision requires proof of a fact which the other does not.
284 U.S. at 304, 52 S.Ct. 180. As such, because the predicate offense for Williams’ felony murder conviction was different than the basis for his second-degree murder conviction, a strict reading of Blockburger would seem to indicate that convictions of both crimes for the same harm — the death of one victim — would not violate double jeopardy.6
¶ 17 While we generally apply the Block-burger statutory elements test for double jeopardy with multiple convictions, that is not the ease when dealing with the various degrees and theories of murder. With those crimes, each statute setting forth elements for first-degree premeditated murder and felony murder are different theories for convicting a person of the same type of crime— the unlawful talcing of life of another. See State v. Tucker, 205 Ariz. 157, 167, ¶ 50, 68 P.3d 110, 120 (2003); State v. Arnett, 158 Ariz. 15, 19-20, 760 P.2d 1064, 1068-69 (1968). The same is true as to those two crimes and second-degree murder. See State v. Schantz, 98 Ariz. 200, 205-06, 403 P.2d 521, 524-25 (1965). This is true even though first-degree felony murder and first-degree premeditated murder have different elements and therefore under a strict reading of Blockburger, multiple convictions of such crimes for one murder would not violate double jeopardy. Tucker, 205 Ariz. at 167, ¶ 50, 68 P.3d at 120 (noting that first-degree felony murder and first-degree premeditated murder have different elements, but that a conviction for both crimes would violate double jeopardy); see also Merlina v. Jejna, 208 Ariz. 1, 4 n. 3, ¶ 12, 90 P.3d 202, 205 n. 3 (App.2004) (noting that double jeopardy prohibits convictions of both greater and lesser-included offenses for same conduct as to same victim).
¶ 18 I see no distinction between application of this test for multiple convictions based upon first-degree felony murder and second-degree murder for the killing of one victim. In each case, the focus or gravamen of the harm is the killing of another person, whether it is premeditated first-degree murder, firsUdegree felony murder, or second-degree murder. Unlike other types of overlapping crimes, such as armed robbery and assault, where different but similar types of harms are alleged that violate separate statutes with different elements, each type of homicide is simply a different theory to convict the defendant of the same harm — the killing of another person. Simply put, if a defendant cannot be convicted and sentenced for both felony murder and first-degree premeditated murder for killing one person, a defendant should not be convicted and sentenced for felony murder and second-degree murder for killing one person. As have the majority of other jurisdictions, I would hold that double jeopardy principles preclude more than one conviction of one defendant for multiple theories of the same crime of homicide involving the killing of one victim. See Ervin, 991 S.W.2d at 807-11 (collecting eases).7
*163¶ 19 In reaching this result, I find further support by the fact that the vast majority of other jurisdictions have further refined the Blockburger test to prohibit multiple convictions of varying types of murder for the death of one person. Those courts hold, under a variety of theories, that even when there are different elements to the two charges, “a trial court cannot impose multiple convictions and sentences for variations of murder where only one person was killed.” Ervin, 991 S.W.2d at 807; see, e.g., United States v. James, 556 F.3d 1062, 1067-68 (9th Cir.2009) (remanding a second-degree murder conviction for vacation in light of a concurrent felony murder conviction when there was only one victim); Gray, 463 P.2d at 911 (“We believe that only one conviction of murder should be allowed for the killing of one man.”); People v. Lowe, 660 P.2d 1261, 1270-71 (Colo.1983) (“vacating two convictions of first-degree murder when there was one victim and stating [o]nly one conviction of murder is permitted for the killing of one victim.”;), abrogated on other grounds by Callis v. People, 692 P.2d 1045 (Colo.1984); Martinez Chavez, 534 N.E.2d at 739 (vacating a murder charge when there was one victim and convictions for both felony murder and murder); Pressley v. State, 235 Ga. 341, 219 S.E.2d 418, 418 (1975) (vacating a sentence for felony murder and affirming a conviction for malice murder where there was one victim).
¶ 20 To avoid this result, the State argues that the Blockburger test is merely a question of statutory interpretation to determine whether a legislature intended to punish the same conduct by two separate statutes. Given that premise, the State contends that A.R.S. § 13-116, which permits such punishments provided the sentences are concurrent, shows that the Arizona Legislature intended to allow such double convictions.8 I disagree with the State because its argument misreads Blockburger and its progeny and would result in inconsistencies of logic in our ease law.
¶ 21 First, while some of the language in Blockburger has been used to state that the Blockburger test is merely one to determine if a legislature intended to permit separate convictions for the same conduct, we have repeatedly held that such a search for legislative intent is appropriate only when the double jeopardy issue is focused on consecutive sentences, not multiple convictions or prosecutions. Lemke v. Rayes, 213 Ariz. 232, 239 n. 3, ¶ 18, 141 P.3d 407, 414 n. 3 (App. 2006); Siddle, 202 Ariz. at 516, ¶ 9, 47 P.3d at 1154. This is consistent with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Blockburger. Hunter, 459 U.S. at 367, 103 S.Ct. 673. Any other reading of Blockburger would relegate the constitutionally-based double jeopardy prohibition to being trumped by any legislature which showed intent to permit consecutive sentences for the same crime as to the same victim.9 Of course, we are not concerned with consecutive sentences because the superior court sentenced Williams to concurrent terms of imprisonment on the felony murder and second-degree murder counts.
¶ 22 Second, the State’s argument overlooks that our supreme court has recognized *164that there are different tests and analytical approaches to double jeopardy in general, and to the application of AR.S. § 13-116. E.g., State v. Anderson, 210 Ariz. 327, 357-58, ¶¶ 138-40, 111 P.3d 369, 399-400 (2005); State v. Gordon, 161 Ariz. 308, 313 n. 5, 778 P.2d 1204, 1209 n. 5 (1989). Thus, in determining double jeopardy in general, we apply the Blockburger same elements test, looking at the elements of the statutes, not the conduct involved. Anderson, 210 Ariz. at 357, ¶¶ 138-39, 111 P.3d at 399; Gordon, 161 Ariz. at 313 n. 5, 778 P.2d at 1209 n. 5. In contrast, for purposes of determining if the legislature intended to permit consecutive sentences for the same conduct in violation of different statutes, we apply a more complex test looking at the specific conduct involved, not the statutory elements of the two crimes. Anderson, 210 Ariz. at 357-58, ¶ 140, 111 P.3d at 399-400; Gordon, 161 Ariz. at 313 n. 5, 778 P.2d at 1209 n. 5. If we were to apply the test for permissible consecutive sentences under A.R.S. § 13-116 to double jeopardy issues not involving consecutive sentences, we would be confusing the analytical framework for analyzing double jeopardy principles.
¶ 23 Moreover, applying AR.S. § 13-116 to concurrent sentences would result in illogical results. As noted above, it is a violation of double jeopardy to convict a defendant of both a greater and lesser-included offense. Thus, while the State can submit alternative theories of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree murder as to the same victim to the jury, if the jury found the defendant guilty on both theories, double jeopardy requires the court to vacate the conviction for the lesser-included offense. Merlina, 208 Ariz. at 4 n. 3, ¶ 12, 90 P.3d at 205 n. 3. However, under the State’s theory, AR.S. § 13-116 would permit such double convictions as to the same conduct for the same victim, provided the sentences were concurrent. That we cannot do. Canion, 199 Ariz. at 233, ¶ 22, 16 P.3d at 794; see also State v. Jones, 185 Ariz. 403, 407, 916 P.2d 1119, 1123 (App.1995) (vacating the lesser of two kidnapping sentences).
¶ 24 The State was free to charge Williams with two alternatives for killing the victim in this case — both felony murder and second-degree murder. The court could then instruct the jury on both theories as alternatives. However, even if it was not so instructed, once the jury found Williams guilty of both offenses as to one victim, the court should have vacated the second-degree murder conviction and sentence as it was the “lesser” of the two sentences. See Canion, 199 Ariz. at 232, ¶ 20, 16 P.3d at 793; State v. Kamai, 184 Ariz. 620, 623, 911 P.2d 626, 629 (App.1995) (noting that when a defendant is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, the court may give instructions that second-degree murder is a lesser-included offense); Jones, 185 Ariz. at 407, 916 P.2d at 1123 (holding that remedy for an inappropriate conviction on two counts based on a single definite act is to vacate the lesser conviction).
¶ 25 For the foregoing reasons and for the reasons stated by the majority, I concur we should vacate Williams’ conviction and sentence for Count 2, second-degree murder, and affirm all other convictions and sentences.

. The Fifth Amendment states, "nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” U.S. Const, amend. V. Article 2, Section 10, of the Arizona Constitution also prohibits double jeopardy. We identically construe the two double jeopardy clauses. State v. Eagle, 196 Ariz. 188, 190, ¶ 5, 994 P.2d 395, 397 (2000).

. Williams did argue below that the court should not sentence him on the felony murder count because there was only one victim. We need not decide whether this preserved the issue of double jeopardy because if the two convictions violated the prohibition of double jeopardy, any such error is fundamental.

. Williams’ felony murder conviction arose from the “unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle under [A.R.S. § ] 28-622.01.” A.R.S. § 13-1105(A)(2) (2010). His second-degree murder conviction arose from "circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life ... recklessly engaging] in conduct that creates a grave risk of death and thereby causes the death of another person.” A.R.S. § 13-1104(A)(3) (2010).

. My conclusion is also consistent with the principle that "the jury may not be instructed on a lesser degree of murder where the evidence indi*163cates [the murder] was committed in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of any of the activities enumerated in the first-degree murder statute.” State v. Martinez-Villareal, 145 Ariz. 441, 447, 702 P.2d 670, 676 (1985) (quoting State v. Greenawalt, 128 Ariz. 150, 168, 624 P.2d 828, 846 (1981)) (holding that as the jury had to find that the defendant committed a felony to find him guilty under the felony murder statute, there could be no lesser-included offense of second-degree murder). It follows that if a defendant could not be convicted of a lesser-included offense of second-degree murder when charged with felony murder, then the defendant should not be permitted to be convicted of both felony murder and second-degree murder based upon the same act or crime.

. Section 13-116 provides ”[a]n act or omission which is made punishable in different ways by different sections of the laws may be punished under both, but in no event may sentences be other than concurrent.”

. For example, under the State’s theory, if the legislature wanted to amend A.R.S. § 13-116 and permit consecutive sentences for the same conduct against the same victim if the conduct violated two separate statutes, it could do so. This would include concurrent sentences for both first-degree premeditated murder and a lesser-included second-degree murder count, which is clearly prohibited. See supra ¶ 17. The result would be to nullify the constitutional clauses against double jeopardy as applied to multiple prosecutions and convictions.