State v. Tison

PER CURIAM.

On April 21, 1987, the United States Supreme Court vacated this court’s previous judgment in this matter, holding that we had applied an erroneous standard in making the findings required by Enmund v. Florida, 458 U.S. 782 , 102 S.Ct. 3368 , 73 L.Ed.2d 1140 (1982). Following denial of a petition for rehearing, the Court remanded the case to this court.

See Tison v. Arizona, 481 U.S. 137 , 107 S.Ct. 1676 , 95 L.Ed.2d 127 , reh’g denied, 482 U.S. 921 , 107 S.Ct. 3201 , 96 L.Ed.2d 688 (1987). We, in turn, remanded the case to the Yuma County Superior Court “for such Enmund findings as may be appropriate under Tison v. Arizona [ 481 U.S. 137 , 107 S.Ct. 1676 , 95 L.Ed.2d 127 (1987)] No. 84-6075, United States Supreme Court, decided April 21, 1987, and for resentencing.”

Following our remand, the trial judge originally set the matter for an evidentiary hearing. However, before the hearing was held, the trial judge concluded that an evidentiary hearing was unnecessary. He ruled that the only issue to be decided in each case was whether the defendant “exhibited reckless indifference to human life.” That language did, indeed, track that of the Supreme Court. Based solely on the record previously made, and expressly precluding any other evidence, the trial judge found that each brother possessed a “reckless indifference to human life,” and resentenced each to death without permitting either party to present any additional mitigating evidence. Both defendants appeal.

*502 When we remanded this case for Enmund/Tison findings and for resentencing, we intended that the trial court would conduct an evidentiary hearing. We recognize that the Supreme Court has, so far, largely left to the states the manner of making Enmund findings.

See Cabana v. Bullock, 474 U.S. 376 , 388 n. 5, 106 S.Ct. 689 , 698 n. 5, 88 L.Ed.2d 704 , 718 n. 5 (1986). In Arizona, we have concluded that it is, in the first instance, a function of the trial judge to make Enmund findings.

State v. McDaniel, 136 Ariz. 188, 199 , 665 P.2d 70, 81 (1983). These findings must be made beyond a reasonable doubt and are in addition to other determinations made in an aggravation/mitigation hearing.

Id.

We will not make Enmund findings at the appellate level unless the “record compels an affirmative finding that the defendant killed, attempted to kill or intended to kill.”

State v. Emery, 141 Ariz. 549, 553 , 688 P.2d 175, 179 (1984).

Because this case was tried before Enmund , and because the Supreme Court’s decision in this case modifies Enmund , no evidentiary hearing focusing on the requisite Enmund/Tison findings has ever been conducted in this case. Such findings are constitutional prerequisites to the consideration of a death penalty. The law requires that each party be given an opportunity to present evidence on those factual issues. Accordingly, we must vacate the sentences herein and remand for an evidentiary hearing on Enmund/Tison issues and for re-sentencing under the following guidelines:

1. On the Enmund/Tison findings, any evidence bearing on these findings which has heretofore been properly received in evidence with respect to a given defendant may be used in that defendant’s case.

2. Either party in each case may offer such additional evidence bearing on Enmund/Tison issues as they wish, to be received and considered according to the usual rules of evidence.

3. On resentencing, matters of aggravation or mitigation already properly of record in each defendant’s case may be used in that defendant’s case according to the respective standards of proof under A.R.S. § 13-703(0).

4. Either party may offer additional evidence of aggravation Or mitigation applicable in each case as of the time of the hearing according to the respective standards of proof under A.R.S. § 13-703(0).

Other issues have been raised on appeal. We decline to address those issues at this time in view of the necessity to remand for a proper evidentiary hearing and for resentencing. To the extent the issues remain material following resentencing, they may, Of course, be raised by a later appeal.