Court Opinion

ID: 4766337
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-08-17 17:04:23.1472+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:09:16.987486
License: Public Domain

NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
 UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
                 AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.

                                    IN THE
             ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
                                DIVISION ONE

                            STATE OF ARIZONA,
                                 Appellee,

                                        v.

                         AVTAR SINGH GREWAL,
                               Appellant.

                             No. 1 CA-CR 19-0616
                               FILED 8-17-2021

           Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
                        No. CR2007-006487-001
                   The Honorable Dean M. Fink, Judge

                                  AFFIRMED

                                   COUNSEL

Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Tucson, AZ
By Jacob R. Lines
Counsel for Appellee

Sharmila Roy Attorney at Law, Naperville, IL
By Sharmila Roy
Counsel for Appellant
                            STATE v. GREWAL
                            Decision of the Court

                      MEMORANDUM DECISION

Judge David D. Weinzweig delivered the decision of the Court, in which
Presiding Judge David B. Gass and Judge Michael J. Brown joined.

W E I N Z W E I G, Judge:

¶1            Avtar Singh Grewal appeals his conviction and sentence for
first degree murder. We affirm.

             FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

¶2            We view and thus recount the facts in the light most favorable
to sustaining the jury’s verdict. See State v. Payne, 233 Ariz. 484, 509, ¶ 93
(2013).

¶3             Grewal married the Victim in October 2005, the second
marriage for both. It was a long-distance relationship. Grewal lived in
Canada. The Victim lived in a Phoenix home she purchased with her first
husband. Seventeen months into the marriage, the Victim talked to Grewal
on the phone and told him she wanted a divorce. Grewal expressed
disbelief and threatened violence, warning “you might as well kill me if you
are going to tell me that you want a divorce” and “you are going to have to
tell me in person.”

¶4           Grewal promptly flew to Phoenix, arriving the next
afternoon. The Victim picked Grewal up from the airport and drove him to
her home. Later that day, Grewal strangled the Victim, left a signed
confession and flew to India.

¶5           The next day, police officers responded to the Victim’s home
to perform a welfare check. They found the Victim’s lifeless body
submerged in the bathtub. They also found Grewal’s signed confession.
Grewal was arrested upon arrival in India, and prosecutors started the
extradition process. The State charged Grewal with first-degree murder
(either premeditated or felony-murder) and second-degree burglary.1

1     The State filed but later withdrew a notice of intent to seek the death
penalty.

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                             STATE v. GREWAL
                             Decision of the Court

¶6            The superior court denied Grewal’s motion for judgment of
acquittal under Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure (“Rule”) 20. A 12-
person jury later found Grewal guilty of first-degree murder—eight jurors
found him guilty of both premeditated murder and felony-murder, two
found him guilty of premeditated murder alone, and two found him guilty
of felony-murder alone. He was found not guilty of second-degree
burglary. The superior court sentenced Grewal to natural life in prison.
Grewal timely appealed. We have jurisdiction. See A.R.S. §§ 12-
120.21(A)(1), 13-4031, -4033(A)(1).

                                 DISCUSSION

¶7             Grewal raises several arguments on appeal. We examine and
reject each in turn.

                              Right to Speedy Trial

¶8            Grewal first contends the State violated his constitutional
right to a speedy trial. All criminal defendants are guaranteed a speedy
trial under the U.S. Constitution, Arizona Constitutions, Arizona statutes
and our common law. U.S. Const. amend. VI; Ariz. Const. art. 2, § 24; Ariz.
R. Crim. P. 8; State v. Spreitz, 190 Ariz. 129, 140 (1997); State v. Tucker, 133
Ariz. 304, 308 (1982) (compared to federal constitution). The right to a
speedy trial is designed to “prevent oppressive pretrial incarceration,” “to
minimize anxiety and concern of the accused,” and “to limit the possibility
that the defense will be impaired.” Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 532 (1972).

¶9             We review the superior court’s denial of a motion to dismiss
an indictment based on a speedy trial violation for an abuse of discretion.
State v. Wassenaar, 215 Ariz. 565, 571, ¶ 16 (App. 2007). We consider four
factors: the length of delay, reason for delay, whether the defendant has
suffered prejudice and whether the defendant has demanded a speedy trial.
Barker, 407 U.S. at 530; see also State v. Burkett, 179 Ariz. 109, 114 (App. 1993).

¶10            The superior court did not abuse its discretion here. Grewal’s
criminal prosecution has experienced frequent and extensive delays, and
Grewal asserted his right to a speedy trial, but the state and federal
constitutions and Arizona statutes provide no shelter to Grewal because the
State did not cause the delays. Instead, Grewal’s defense team sought many
delays, which the superior found to be in Grewal’s best interest. Mental
health proceedings caused the other delays.

¶11           Grewal waived any right to argue the delays occasioned by
his defense team violated his right to a speedy trial. See Spreitz, 190 Ariz. at

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                           STATE v. GREWAL
                           Decision of the Court

139 (a defendant’s own delays are not counted against the speedy trial
right); Barker, 407 U.S. at 528-29. And the superior court ordered an almost
two-year delay to assess Grewal’s mental competency. See Ariz. R. Crim.
P. 11.1 (describing procedures for determining competency to stand trial).
Grewal benefited from this delay, which was meant to ensure his mental
competence. See State v. Amaya-Ruiz, 166 Ariz. 152, 161 (1990).

¶12            What is more, Grewal has shown no prejudice from the
delays. See Spreitz, 190 Ariz. at 139-40 (prejudice is the most important
factor in a Barker analysis). Again, Grewal’s defense attorney sought most
of the delays to mount an effective defense to murder charges spanning
years and continents, often moving to continue trial and requesting time to
pursue plea negotiations.2 We discern no abuse of discretion. See State v.
Parker, 231 Ariz. 391, 399, ¶¶ 17-18.

                         Sufficiency of the Evidence

¶13           Grewal next argues the jury had insufficient evidence to
convict him of felony-murder because he was not a burglar. He contends
the superior court should have thus granted his motion for a judgment of
acquittal under Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 20.1.

¶14           We review the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a criminal
conviction de novo. State v. West, 226 Ariz. 559, 562, ¶ 15 (2011). “[T]he
relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. ¶ 16
(citation omitted). The evidence may be direct or circumstantial. Id. A
judgment of acquittal is appropriate only when “there is no substantial
evidence to support a conviction.” Ariz. R. Crim. P. 20(a)(1). We do not
reweigh the evidence. State v. Williams, 209 Ariz. 228, 231, ¶ 6 (App. 2004).

¶15           The offense of felony-murder requires proof that a defendant
cause someone’s death while performing another felony—here,
second-degree burglary. See A.R.S. §§ 13-1105(A)(2), -1507(A). The jury
had reasonable evidence to support Grewal’s conviction, including that
(1) the Victim was the sole owner and resident of her home; (2) the Victim
and Grewal lived in separate countries; (3) their relationship was strained;

2      The superior court found the delays were in Grewal’s best interest
after hearing evidence and argument. See State v. Henry, 176 Ariz. 569, 579
(1993) (finding no constitutional violation when the defendant’s “vigorous
defense” caused delays despite his personal opposition to continuances).

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                           STATE v. GREWAL
                           Decision of the Court

(4) the Victim informed Grewal she wanted a divorce over the telephone;
(5) Grewal promptly flew to Arizona; (6) Grewal strangled the Victim in her
Arizona home; and (7) Grewal authored a confession and (8) he fled to
another nation. And again, this court will not reweigh the evidence.
Williams, 209 Ariz. at 231, ¶ 6.

¶16             Grewal’s counterarguments are not persuasive. To begin, the
jury heard and rejected Grewal’s narrative and defense arguments.
Moreover, the Victim did not unconditionally admit Grewal into her home.
Grewal was unlawfully present in the Victim’s home the moment he
intended to kill the Victim. See State v. Van Dyke, 127 Ariz. 335, 336 (1980)
(“[E]ven where the physical entry is objectively legitimate, entry will be
illegal if the defendant’s subjective intent is to commit a felony.”). On this
record, the superior court properly denied Grewal’s Rule 20 motion and
permitted the jury to determine guilt.

                             Mental Competency

¶17            Grewal claims the superior court erroneously found him
competent to stand trial. This court, however, affirmed that finding in a
prior special action. See Grewal v. Fink, 1 CA-SA 18-0171 (Ariz. App. July
31, 2018) (decision order). “[O]nce an appellate court rules on a legal
question, that decision is the law of that case on the issue decided in all
subsequent proceedings in both trial and appellate courts provided the
facts, issues and evidence remain substantially the same.” Kadish v. Ariz.
State Land Dep’t, 177 Ariz. 322, 327 (App. 1993). The record does not show
any change in circumstance from the special action proceeding. As a result,
this Court’s ruling became law of the case and cannot be challenged on
appeal.

                              Evidentiary Issues

¶18           Grewal raises a handful of evidentiary arguments on appeal.
Because Grewal did not raise them at trial, we review for fundamental,
prejudicial error. See State v. Escalante, 245 Ariz. 135, 140, ¶ 12 (2018).

¶19            Grewal argues the jury erroneously heard inadmissible
hearsay testimony from two witnesses—the Victim’s brother and co-
worker—who recounted their final conversations with the Victim. The co-
worker shared details from her last call with the Victim and explained how
the conversation sparked concern about the Victim’s safety because Grewal
told the Victim that she “might as well kill” him if she wants a divorce and
warned “you are going to have to tell me in person.” The Victim’s brother
testified to similar conversations.

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                            STATE v. GREWAL
                            Decision of the Court

¶20           We are not persuaded. First, much of this testimony was
admissible to show the Victim’s state of mind leading to her murder. See
Ariz. R. Evid. 803(3) (excluding statements of the declarant’s “then-existing
state of mind” from the rule against hearsay); State v. Wood, 180 Ariz. 53, 62
(1994) (“The statements about [the victim’s] fear and desire to end the
relationship helped explain Defendant’s motive.”).

¶21           Second, hearsay admitted without objection at trial is
“competent evidence admissible for all purposes” unless the hearsay
evidence represents the sole proof of an essential element of the crime. State
v. McGann, 132 Ariz. 296, 299 (1982); accord Ariz. R. Evid. 801(c), 802. The
hearsay testimony did not represent the sole proof of an essential element
here. Even without the challenged testimony, the jury would have still
learned that Grewal’s relationship with the Victim was volatile, Grewal
traveled to Arizona upon hearing the Victim wanted a divorce and Grewal
suffered suicidal ideations. Grewal has not shown fundamental error.

¶22           Grewal also argues the superior court abused its discretion in
precluding expert testimony about how his mental illness impacted his
courtroom demeanor. We disagree. Absent an insanity defense, Arizona
law prohibits a defendant from presenting evidence of mental illness to
negate mens rea. See State v. Mott, 187 Ariz. 536, 539-45 (1997). Grewal
offers no basis or legal authority to depart from Arizona law, see Ariz. R.
Crim. P. 31.10(a)(7)(A) (requiring appellants to provide supporting legal
authority), and the expert witness was allowed to share her observations at
trial. The superior court did not abuse its discretion. See State v. Salazar-
Mercado, 234 Ariz. 590, 594, ¶ 13 (2014).

                           Prosecutorial Misconduct

¶23             Next, Grewal contends the prosecutor committed
prosecutorial misconduct by “badgering” Grewal with “argumentative”
questions. We review for fundamental error because Grewal did not object
at trial. State v. Murray, 250 Ariz. 543, 548, ¶ 14 (2021) (citing Escalante, 245
Ariz. at 138, ¶ 1). Reversal is warranted only if the misconduct “so infected
the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due
process.” State v. Hughes, 193 Ariz. 72, 79, ¶ 26 (1998) (quotation omitted).

¶24           We are not persuaded. Given the importance of cross-
examination, the “cross-examiner should be given great latitude in his
questions which seek to impeach an adverse witness being examined and
it is always proper to inquire as to the motive of the adverse witness in
testifying and to show any matter which bears on the credibility of that

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                           STATE v. GREWAL
                           Decision of the Court

witness.” State v. Holden, 88 Ariz. 43, 54 (1960). Even so, counsel must not
abuse or harass an adverse witness. Pool v. Superior Ct. In & For Pima Cnty.,
139 Ariz. 98, 103 (1984). To be sure, the prosecutor here deployed a
confrontational cross-examination style, but his questions remained within
the proper scope of cross-examination, and he did not inject facts into
evidence or exploit mental illness. Id. Grewal has shown no fundamental
error.

                           Willits Jury Instruction

¶25            Grewal argues the superior court erroneously denied his
motion for an adverse inference instruction under Willits because the State
did not preserve the Victim’s artificial mitral valve. We review the denial
of a request for a Willits instruction for an abuse of discretion. State v.
Glissendorf, 235 Ariz. 147, 150, ¶ 7 (2014).

¶26            Willits authorizes the trial court to provide an adverse-
inference jury instruction “when the state loses or destroys evidence that
would have been useful to the defense, even if that destruction is innocent.”
Id. A defendant who seeks a Willits instruction “must prove that (1) the
state failed to preserve material and reasonably accessible evidence that
could have had a tendency to exonerate the accused, and (2) there was
resulting prejudice.” Id. at 150, ¶ 8 (quotation omitted).

¶27           The superior court did not abuse its discretion. At a
minimum, Grewal shows no prejudice. A defendant must show “the lost
evidence would have been material and potentially useful to a defense
theory supported by the evidence.” State v. Glissendorf, 235 Ariz. at 150,
¶ 10. Even assuming the Victim’s mitral valve was defective, no reasonable
jury could conclude she died of heart disease rather than strangulation.
This is especially so given Grewal’s written confession.

                            Courtroom Restraints

¶28           And last, Grewal claims the superior court erroneously
denied his request to remove physical restraints and sit between defense
counsel at trial. The State must provide a case-specific security concern
before a defendant is placed in “shackles or other physical restraints visible
to the jury.” See Deck v. Missouri, 544 U.S. 622, 633 (2005). The trial has
discretion on matters of courtroom security. State v. Davolt, 207 Ariz. 191,
211, ¶ 84 (2004).

¶29          We discern no error. First, the superior court modified
Grewal’s restraints here to avoid visible shackles, and Grewal provides no

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                          STATE v. GREWAL
                          Decision of the Court

evidence the jury even knew about the restraints. See State v. Dixon, 226
Ariz. 545, 551-52, ¶¶ 25-31 (2011) (jury must know about restraints).
Second, no evidence was presented that Grewal’s physical restraints
otherwise harmed his ability to assist in his own defense. As for seating
assignments, the superior court merely required Grewal and his attorneys
to meet standard courtroom protocols.

                             CONCLUSION

¶30          We affirm Grewal’s conviction and sentence.

                        AMY M. WOOD • Clerk of the Court
                        FILED: AA

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