State of Arizona v. James Clayton Johnson

IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA
STATE OF ARIZONA,
Appellee,
v.
JAMES CLAYTON JOHNSON,
Appellant.
No. CR-16-0261-AP
Filed August 23, 2019
Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
The Honorable M. Scott McCoy, Judge
No. CR2010-048824-001
AFFIRMED
COUNSEL:
Mark Brnovich, Arizona Attorney General, O.H. Skinner, Solicitor General,
Lacey Stover Gard, Chief Counsel, Capital Litigation Section, Tucson,
Jeffrey L. Sparks (argued), Ginger Jarvis, Assistant Attorneys General,
Phoenix, Attorneys for State of Arizona
James J. Haas, Maricopa County Public Defender, Mikel Steinfeld (argued),
Rena P. Glitsos, Kevin Heade, Deputy Public Defenders, Law Office of the
Public Defender, Phoenix, Attorneys for James Clayton Johnson
CHIEF JUSTICE BRUTINEL authored the opinion of the Court, in which
VICE CHIEF JUSTICE TIMMER and JUSTICES BOLICK, GOULD, LOPEZ,
BALES (RETIRED), and JUDGE MCMURDIE ∗ joined.
∗Pursuant to article 6, section 3 of the Arizona Constitution, the Honorable
Paul J. McMurdie, Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One,
was designated to sit in this matter.
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
CHIEF JUSTICE BRUTINEL, opinion of the Court:
¶1 This automatic appeal arises from James Clayton Johnson’s
convictions and death sentence for the murder of Xiaohung Fu. We have
jurisdiction under article 6, section 5(3) of the Arizona Constitution and
A.R.S. §§ 13-4031 and 13-4033(A)(1).
¶2 In December 2010, Johnson entered Taiwan Massage. Inside,
he encountered its owner, Fu. A struggle ensued, in which Johnson bound
and repeatedly stabbed Fu, killing her.
¶3 Next door, Marvin Pearce and Terry Weathers heard the
commotion. Weathers rushed to check on Fu. When he entered Taiwan
Massage, he found the front entrance in disarray. Weathers shouted “hello”
but got no response. After a moment, Johnson exited the bathroom at the
end of the hall, drying his hands. Weathers asked where Fu was, and
Johnson replied she had cut herself and left in an ambulance. Weathers
then rushed next door to tell Pearce what he witnessed and called for help.
Weathers and Pearce then watched as Johnson got into his truck and sped
away. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Fu dead. Fu had
been stabbed several times, including one laceration down her back that
penetrated through her lung and a near four-inch cut into her neck. She
also suffered superficial cuts across her stomach.
¶4 Johnson fled to his girlfriend’s apartment where he washed
his clothes and truck. Three days later, Johnson robbed a Christmas tree lot
and was arrested. (Johnson pleaded guilty to armed robbery on December
21, 2010.) Based on similarities between the two crimes, police linked
Johnson to the Taiwan Massage killing. Cell phone tower data and DNA
evidence substantiated Johnson’s involvement. The State charged Johnson
with one count each of first degree murder, kidnapping, and burglary in
the first degree.
¶5 The State noticed its intent to seek the death penalty, alleging
the following aggravating circumstances: (1) Johnson was previously
convicted of a serious offense, A.R.S. § 13-751(F)(2); (2) Johnson committed
the offense for pecuniary gain, § 13-751(F)(5); (3) Johnson committed the
offense in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner, § 13-751(F)(6);
and (4) Johnson committed the offense while on release, § 13-751(F)(7)(a),
and while on probation for a felony, § 13-751(F)(7)(b).
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶6 After trial, the jury found Johnson guilty on all counts and
found that the State had proved the (F)(2), (F)(6), and (F)(7)(a) and (b)
aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt. After considering
mitigation evidence, the jury found that Johnson’s proffered mitigation was
not sufficiently substantial to call for leniency and sentenced Johnson to
death.
DISCUSSION
A. The A.R.S. § 13-751 Sentencing Scheme
¶7 Johnson argues that Arizona has not complied with its
constitutional obligation to legislatively narrow the class of first degree
murders that are eligible for the death penalty. We review Johnson’s
constitutional challenge de novo. See State v. Smith, 215 Ariz. 221, 228 ¶ 20
(2007).
¶8 In 2013, Johnson joined in litigation challenging Arizona’s
death penalty for failing to sufficiently narrow the class of first degree
murders eligible for a capital sentence. As part of the challenge, the
defendants requested but were denied an evidentiary hearing. The trial
court denied the defendants’ consolidated challenge to the constitutionality
of Arizona’s death penalty statutes. That litigation eventually led to our
decision in State v. Hidalgo (Hidalgo I), 241 Ariz. 543, 549–52 ¶¶ 14–29 (2017).
There, we observed that United States Supreme Court case law undermined
the defendants’ position, id. at 550 ¶ 19, and affirmed the constitutionality
of Arizona’s sentencing scheme, id. at 550–52 ¶¶ 19–29. For the same
reasons we expressed in Hidalgo I, we reject Johnson’s argument here.
¶9 Johnson next argues the court erred when it failed to hold the
requested evidentiary hearing to allow defendants to support their
challenge. Johnson further contends that the failure to hold an evidentiary
hearing resulted in an incomplete record likely to preclude Supreme Court
review. See Hidalgo v. Arizona (Hidalgo II), 138 S. Ct. 1054, 1057 (2018) (mem.)
(Breyer, J., respecting the denial of certiorari). We review the denial of an
evidentiary hearing for an abuse of discretion. See Hidalgo I, 241 Ariz. at 548
¶ 7.
¶10 As we noted in Hidalgo I, neither Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S.
507 (2004), nor Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976) requires an
evidentiary hearing. 241 Ariz. at 548–49 ¶¶ 10–13. And though Johnson
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
points to Justice Breyer’s statement respecting the denial of certiorari in
Hidalgo II, Justice Breyer neither implied that the Constitution requires an
evidentiary hearing in that case nor explained why an expanded record
would provide a more compelling basis for granting review than the
explicit finding that the defendant’s factual claims were true. See Hidalgo II,
138 S. Ct. at 1057 (stating that the “opportunity to develop the record
through an evidentiary hearing was denied” and, “[a]s a result,” the record
was undeveloped).
¶11 Further, though Johnson argues that denying remand and an
evidentiary hearing will condemn a future petition for writ of certiorari to
the United States Supreme Court to the same fate as Hidalgo’s, he can
include the deprivation of the hearing as a basis for review where Hidalgo
chose not to. And to the extent Johnson argues that Hidalgo was unable to
adequately present the issue to the Supreme Court, his argument ignores
that Hidalgo was allowed to supplement the record on appeal with an
expanded study of first degree murder cases in Arizona, which found that
one or more aggravating circumstances were present in 856 of 866 murders.
See Hidalgo I, 241 Ariz. at 549 ¶ 17. The trial court’s denial of the evidentiary
hearing was not an abuse of discretion. See id. ¶ 13.
¶12 Separately, Johnson claims the trial court’s rulings violated
his right to effective assistance of counsel because his counsel’s ability to
challenge the death penalty was impeded by the denial of the hearing. See
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686 (1984) (providing that the right to
counsel includes the right to effective assistance of counsel). But counsel is
not ineffective where he requested, and the court denied, the exact hearing
Johnson complains was required.
¶13 Lastly, Johnson argues that Hidalgo I did not address whether
Arizona’s constitution provides broader protections or requires an
evidentiary hearing. But Johnson fails to develop the argument or offer any
legal support as to why the Arizona Constitution would mandate a
different result than that required by the Constitution of the United States.
We thus decline to consider it. See State v. Bolton, 182 Ariz. 290, 298 (1995)
(stating that an argument not sufficiently developed on appeal is waived).
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
B. The A.R.S. § 13-751(F)(6) Aggravator
i. Unconstitutionality of the (F)(6) aggravator
¶14 Johnson argues that the (F)(6) especially cruel, heinous, or
depraved aggravator is unconstitutionally vague and that the narrowing
instructions were inaccurate and insufficient. We review de novo both the
constitutional challenge, see Hidalgo I, 241 Ariz. at 548 ¶ 7, and whether the
jury instructions correctly stated the law, see State v. Burbey, 243 Ariz. 145,
146 ¶ 5 (2017).
¶15 During the trial, the court instructed the jury as follows:
Definition of especially heinous, cruel, or depraved.
Concerning this aggravating circumstance, all first degree
murders are to some extent heinous, cruel, or depraved.
However, this aggravating circumstance cannot be found to
exist unless the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt
that the murder was especially cruel, especially heinous, or
especially depraved.
“Especially” means unusually great or significant. The terms
“especially cruel,” or “especially heinous or depraved” are
considered separately. Therefore the presence of any one
circumstance is sufficient to establish this aggravating
circumstance. However, to find that this aggravating
circumstance is proven, you must find that the [sic] especially
cruel has been proven unanimously beyond a reasonable
doubt or that . . . especially heinous or depraved has been
proven unanimously beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Especially cruel.” The term “cruel” focuses on the victim’s
pain and suffering. If you find the murder was committed in
an especially cruel manner, you must find that the victim
consciously suffered physical or mental pain, distress, or
anguish prior to death. The defendant must know or should
have known that the victim would suffer.
“Especially heinous or depraved.” The term “especially
heinous or depraved” focuses . . . upon the defendant’s state
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
of mind at the time of the offense as reflected by the
defendant’s words and acts. A murder is especially heinous
if it is hatefully or shockingly evil. In other words, grossly
bad. A murder is especially depraved if it is marked by
de[b]a[s]ement, corruption, perversion, or deterioration.
¶16 The court then instructed on the State v. Gretzler factors of
gratuitous violence, helplessness, and senselessness, stating:
To determine whether a murder was especially heinous or
depraved, you must find that the State proved beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant exhibited such a mental
state at the time of killing by inflicting gratuitous violence on
the victim beyond that necessary to kill. To find that the
defendant inflicted gratuitous violence you must find the
defendant intentionally inflicted violence clearly beyond
what was necessary to kill the victim and that the defendant
continued to inflict this violence after the defendant knew or
should have known that the defendant had inflicted a fatal
injury.
To assist you in determining whether the murder is heinous
or depraved, you may consider the helplessness of the victim
and the senselessness of the murder. Helplessness means that
the victim is unable to resist. All murders are senseless
because of their brutality and finality, yet not all are senseless
as the term is used to distinguish those first degree murders
that warrant a death sentence from those that do not. Rather
a senseless murder is one that is unnecessary to achieve the
defendant’s objective.
A finding of helplessness and/or senseless[ness] alone or
together is not sufficient to prove that a first degree murder
was heinous or depraved. A first degree murder is not
heinous or depraved unless you also unanimously find that
the defendant inflicted gratuitous violence on the victim
beyond that necessary to kill.
See 135 Ariz. 42, 51–53 (1983).
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶17 First, Johnson argues that the (F)(6) “especially cruel”
aggravator violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United
States Constitution because it does not adequately limit the jury’s discretion
when deciding whether to impose the death penalty. See Walton v. Arizona,
497 U.S. 639, 652–53 (1990), overruled on other grounds by Ring v. Arizona, 536
U.S. 584 (2002). We have repeatedly rejected this argument in light of
further narrowing instructions, as were provided here. See, e.g., State v.
Champagne, No. CR-17-0425-AP, 2019 WL 3676317, at *15 ¶¶ 75–76 (Ariz.
Aug. 7, 2019).
¶18 Johnson next argues the trial court’s narrowing instructions
failed to provide sufficient guidance on whether Johnson’s murder
exceeded the norm of first degree murders. But again, we have repeatedly
upheld jury instructions like those given here. See, e.g., State v. Chappell, 225
Ariz. 229, 237 ¶ 27 & n.6 (2010).
¶19 Nevertheless, Johnson argues that while the Walton Court
affirmed Arizona’s capital sentencing scheme on the basis that the court—
familiar with comparable first degree murder cases—determined whether
the crime was “especially heinous, cruel or depraved,” 497 U.S. at 652–56,
the jury has no such contextual knowledge, and thus Walton’s justification
no longer applies. Johnson further argues, citing State v. Mata (Mata II), 185
Ariz. 319, 324 (1996), that it is impossible to craft a formulaic set of
narrowing instructions that can sufficiently guide the jury without
comparative review. But we have previously rejected such challenges
when the court provides further narrowing instructions based on Gretzler
and State v. Knapp, 114 Ariz. 531, 543 (1977) (providing narrowing
definitions for “heinous,” “cruel,” and “depraved”), see State v. (Ruben M.)
Johnson, 212 Ariz. 425, 431–32 ¶¶ 19–22 (2006) (approving narrowing
instructions and disavowing comparative review), and Johnson provides
no persuasive reason for us to revisit those decisions here. See also Smith v.
Ryan, 823 F.3d 1270, 1293–95 (9th Cir. 2016) (approving the narrowing
construction employed in Gretzler).
¶20 Lastly, Johnson argues the “gratuitous violence” instruction
incorrectly focused the jury’s attention on the physical violence rather than
Johnson’s mental state. But the instruction specifically required the jury to
find that Johnson “exhibited such a mental state” and “intentionally”
inflicted gratuitous violence, thereby focusing the jury on Johnson’s mental
state and intentions at the time he committed the crime. See State v.
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
Bocharski, 218 Ariz. 476, 494 ¶ 87 (2008) (requiring the state to “show that
the defendant continued to inflict violence after he knew or should have known
that a fatal action had occurred,” because “[a] showing that a defendant
continued to inflict violence after he knew or should have known that a
fatal action had occurred provides essential evidence of the defendant’s
intent to inflict gratuitous violence”).
¶21 The instructions, when viewed as a whole, required that to
find the aggravator, the crime must be “unusually great or significant,”
“especially cruel,” or “hatefully or shockingly evil,” and therefore correctly
informed the jury that the crime must be above and beyond the normal first
degree murder. These instructions sufficiently narrowed the (F)(6)
aggravator. See State v. Prince, 226 Ariz. 516, 532 ¶ 51 (2011) (upholding jury
instructions from vagueness challenge).
ii. Arguing the (F)(6) aggravator during closing
¶22 Johnson next argues the trial court improperly prevented him
from arguing during closing that the State failed to meet its burden in
showing the murder was committed in an especially cruel, heinous, or
depraved manner. We review the trial court’s ruling on the scope of closing
argument for an abuse of discretion. State v. Pandeli, 215 Ariz. 514, 525 ¶ 30
(2007).
¶23 During closing, Johnson reiterated the burden of proof
required to prove the murder was “especially” cruel, heinous, or depraved,
and rhetorically asked whether his crime was “unusually great or
significant” where the jury had “nothing . . . to compare it to.” The State
immediately objected.
¶24 Counsel is given wide latitude in closing argument to
“comment on the evidence and argue all reasonable inferences therefrom.”
State v. Zaragoza, 135 Ariz. 63, 68 (1983). “Counsel may not, however,
comment on matters which were not introduced in evidence” or “call
matters to the attention of the jury that the jury could not properly
consider.” Id. Just as we have denied the consideration of proportional
review in jury instructions, supra ¶¶ 20–21, we decline to allow closing
arguments suggesting comparative review. See State v. Bible, 175 Ariz. 549,
602 (1993) (limiting closing argument to the evidence presented at trial);
State v. Greenway, 170 Ariz. 155, 171 (1991) (“The trial court’s consideration
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
of other similarly situated defendants is inapposite to this defendant’s
‘character or record’, and does not show any of the circumstances
surrounding this defendant’s ‘offense’ that would call for a sentence less
than death.”).
¶25 Thus, Johnson could not argue that his crime was not cruel,
heinous, or depraved by comparing it to other murders, nor could he argue
that the State did not meet its burden by failing to introduce evidence of
similarly situated defendants. He was allowed, however, to argue from the
evidence that his crime was not especially cruel, heinous, or depraved; and
he was free to point to jury instructions and elaborate upon them, based on
the evidence in the record, which he did here. See Prince, 226 Ariz. at 532
¶ 51 (allowing defendants to rely on “norm of first-degree murder”
instruction and argue it during closing).
iii. Sufficiency of (F)(6) evidence
¶26 Last, Johnson argues that there was insufficient evidence to
support the (F)(6) aggravator. Although the (F)(6) aggravator is a single
aggravating circumstance, it is written in the disjunctive, and thus we will
uphold the (F)(6) finding so long as the murder was either especially cruel
or especially heinous or depraved. See State v. Gunches, 225 Ariz. 22, 25 ¶ 15
(2010). In reviewing Johnson’s claim, we “review[] the record to determine
whether substantial evidence supports the jury’s finding, viewing the facts
in the light most favorable to sustaining the jury verdict.” State v. Roque,
213 Ariz. 193, 218 ¶ 93 (2006). “Substantial evidence is such proof that
reasonable persons could accept as adequate and sufficient to support [the
finding of the aggravator] beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. (internal
quotation marks omitted) (citation omitted).
¶27 After deliberation, the jury unanimously found that the
murder was especially cruel, inflicted gratuitous violence beyond that
necessary to kill, was senseless, and that the victim was helpless.
¶28 The finding that the murder was especially cruel is supported
by the record. “A murder is especially cruel if the victim consciously
experiences physical abuse or mental anguish before death.” Bolton, 182
Ariz. at 311. In addition to the fatal neck wound, which involved at least
two cuts to Fu’s neck, Johnson inflicted a deep wound to her jaw, a gash to
her ribs, and a long gash down her back that collapsed her lung. See State
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
v. Boyston, 231 Ariz. 539, 555 ¶¶ 82–84 (2013) (stating the jury could
conclude, based on the number of stab wounds, which included a 3.5-inch
deep cut to the pericardium and heart, that the victim suffered physical
pain and mental anguish while being stabbed to death and that the
defendant knew or should have known that). Though Johnson argues the
evidence did not establish that Fu was alive and conscious, Dr. Keen
testified that Fu was likely alive during the attack: The angle of the back
wound indicated Fu was standing, the evidence established that there was
a struggle, and Fu suffered defensive hand wounds. See State v. McCray,
218 Ariz. 252, 259 ¶¶ 31–33 (2008) (finding consciousness where the expert
concluded, based on the nature of the victim’s injuries and condition of the
apartment, that a struggle probably occurred).
¶29 Johnson next argues the murder was not especially cruel
because there was no evidence that he inflicted pain and suffering in a
wanton, insensitive, or vindictive manner. Johnson argues the infliction of
pain “in a wanton, insensitive, or vindictive manner” focuses on the
defendant’s state of mind and that there was no evidence that he committed
the crime as revenge or to inflict harm, pain, or with no regard for the
victim’s pain. Our caselaw defeats this argument. In State v. Stokley, we
stated that “[c]ruelty focuses on the victim.” 182 Ariz. 505, 517 (1995)
(contrasting that “[h]einousness and depravity” go to the “mental state and
attitude” of the defendant “as reflected by his words or actions” (quoting
State v. Brewer, 170 Ariz. 486, 502 (1992))). The evidence sufficiently
supports the jury’s finding of cruelty.
¶30 The evidence also supports a finding that the murder was
committed in an especially heinous or depraved manner. The state may
prove the murder was especially heinous or depraved by establishing that
the defendant inflicted gratuitous violence. Gunches, 225 Ariz. at 25 ¶ 15.
A murder involves gratuitous violence when the defendant uses violence
beyond that necessary to kill. See Gretzler, 135 Ariz. at 52. To prove
gratuitous violence, the state must first show that the defendant did “use
violence beyond that necessary to kill.” Bocharski, 218 Ariz. at 494 ¶ 85.
Second, the state must show “the defendant continued to inflict violence
after he knew or should have known that a fatal action had occurred.” Id.
¶ 87 (emphasis removed). In addition to the multiple stab wounds, Johnson
carved on the victim’s stomach. Based on the blood loss, Dr. Keen
confirmed that the stomach carving likely occurred after the victim suffered
the fatal neck wound, which itself likely required multiple cuts and
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
penetrated four inches into Fu’s neck. Even if Johnson did not know that
the neck wound was fatal, he should have.
¶31 Johnson argues that the instructions blurred the line between
mutilation and gratuitous violence. Even if true, the manner of the murder
and the stomach carving reflected mutilation. See State v. Vickers, 129 Ariz.
506, 515 (1981) (upholding the finding of depravity where the defendant
carved “Bonzai” on the victim’s back after killing him). Either Fu was alive
when Johnson carved into her stomach, establishing gratuitous violence, or
she was already dead, resulting in mutilation. See State v. Bearup, 221 Ariz.
163, 173 ¶¶ 50–53 (2009) (upholding the finding of heinous or depraved
where the defendant cut off the victim’s finger after beating the victim with
an aluminum bat, reasoning that the removal of the finger constituted either
gratuitous violence or mutilation).
¶32 Johnson does not challenge the jury’s finding that the murder
was senseless and the victim helpless, but the evidence nonetheless
supports those conclusions. 1 The evidence established that Fu was bound,
and therefore helpless, and that her restraints prevented her from
interfering with Johnson’s attempt to rob her or flee, indicating the murder
was senseless. See State v. Ross, 180 Ariz. 598, 605 (1994) (“A murder is
senseless when it is unnecessary to allow the defendant to complete his
objective.”).
C. The Lynch v. Arizona “Ineligible for Parole” Instruction
¶33 Johnson argues the court erred by initially failing to instruct
the jury that he was ineligible for parole. Johnson further argues that,
following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Lynch v. Arizona
(Lynch II), 136 S. Ct. 1818 (2016), the trial court erred by failing to declare a
mistrial. We review jury instructions de novo “as a whole to ensure that
the jury receives the information it needs to arrive at a legally correct
decision.” Prince, 226 Ariz. at 536 ¶ 77 (quoting State ex rel. Thomas v.
Granville, 211 Ariz. 468, 471 ¶ 8 (2005)). We review a trial court’s decision
whether to grant a mistrial for an abuse of discretion. State v. Leteve, 237
Ariz. 516, 526 ¶ 33 (2015).
1 Arizona law requires that we review the sentencing portion, including
finding the aggravating factors, for reasonable evidence. See infra ¶¶ 192–
93.
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶34 Before trial, Johnson requested a jury instruction that he was
ineligible for parole, in accordance with Simmons v. South Carolina, 512 U.S.
154 (1994). Under Simmons, when future dangerousness is placed at issue,
the defendant has the right to a jury instruction that he is ineligible for
parole if the only alternative to a death sentence is natural life. Id. at 162,
168–69. Relying on our decision in State v. Lynch (Lynch I), 238 Ariz. 84, 103
¶ 65 (2015), the trial court granted Johnson’s request to instruct the jury that
parole was not currently available but declined his request to inform the
jury that he was never eligible for parole since § 13-751(A) authorized
release in the form of executive clemency. The court then instructed the
jury that, among the sentences imposable if it found Johnson guilty, was “a
life sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years
imprisonment.”
¶35 On the second day of the penalty phase, the United States
Supreme Court issued Lynch II, reversed our decision in Lynch I, and held
that the possibility of executive clemency did not justify refusing the parole-
ineligible instruction. 136 S. Ct. at 1819–20. Johnson moved for a mistrial.
The State responded that future dangerousness was never placed at issue
and that a curative instruction could be given regardless. The court denied
Johnson’s motion.
¶36 After the penalty phase trial, the court instructed the jury as
follows:
Defendant ineligible for parole. A defendant sentenced to life
without the possibility of release after [sic] 25 years must
serve the entire 25 years before the defendant can apply for
release. There is no automatic release after 25 years. Arizona
law does not provide for parole. The only form of release for
which defendant is eligible is executive clemency.
¶37 The trial court complied with Lynch II. It informed the jury
that Johnson was ineligible for parole and that the only possibility for
release was by executive clemency after he served at least twenty-five years.
The jury thus “receive[d] the information it need[ed] to arrive at a legally
correct decision.” Prince, 226 Ariz. at 536 ¶ 77.
¶38 Nevertheless, Johnson argues the post-Lynch II instruction
could not cure the court’s original deficient instruction because the jury
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Opinion of the Court
repeatedly heard during voir dire that Johnson was eligible for parole and
the only way to ensure his right to a fair trial was to declare a mistrial.
¶39 But “[d]eclaring a mistrial is an unusual remedy for trial error
and should not be resorted to unless justice requires such a result.” State v.
White, 160 Ariz. 24, 33 (1989). The State neither raised nor argued future
dangerousness. Johnson does not point to any evidence showing the jury
was confused regarding the law, either before or after the curative
instruction. And during closing, Johnson argued that the only alternative
to a death sentence was life in prison; the State did not argue otherwise.
¶40 After the issuance of Lynch II, the trial court instructed the jury
that Johnson was ineligible for parole and that “release” meant only
executive clemency; we presume the jury followed those instructions. See
State v. Dann, 205 Ariz. 557, 570 ¶ 46 (2003). The court did not abuse its
discretion in denying Johnson’s motion for mistrial.
D. The Significant Impairment Instruction
¶41 Johnson argues the court’s significant impairment instruction
reflected the standard established by the guilty except insane (“GEI”)
instruction and that it, therefore, imposed a higher burden than that
required by the § 13-751(G)(1) mitigator. Because Johnson did not object at
trial, we review his claim for fundamental error only. See State v. Velazquez,
216 Ariz. 300, 309 ¶ 37 (2007). An error is fundamental if it goes to the
foundation of the case, takes away from the defendant a right essential to
his defense, or is of such magnitude that the defendant could not have
possibly received a fair trial. State v. Escalante, 245 Ariz. 135, 142 ¶ 21 (2018).
To prevail, a defendant must establish both that fundamental error
occurred and that it caused him prejudice (though showing the former may
establish the latter). Id. at 140–41 ¶¶ 13, 16 (stating that “an error of such a
magnitude that a defendant could not possibly have received a fair trial is
always prejudicial” (internal quotation marks omitted)).
¶42 Section 13-751(G)(1) provides mitigation when “[t]he
defendant’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to
conform his conduct to the requirements of law was significantly impaired,
but not so impaired as to constitute a defense to prosecution.” During the
trial, Johnson attempted to show that he was under the influence of Xanax
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Opinion of the Court
and possibly cocaine at the time of the murder. The court instructed the
jury as follows:
Significant impairment. It is a mitigating circumstance that
the defendant’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his
conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law
was significantly impaired but not so impaired as to
constitute a defense to prosecution. The defendant has the
burden of proving this mitigating circumstance by a
preponderance of the evidence.
“Significantly impaired” means that the defendant suffered
from mental illness, personality disorder or substance abuse
at or near the time of the offense that prevented the defendant
from appreciating the wrongfulness of the conduct or
conforming his conduct to the requirements of law.[2]
¶43 The State concedes that limiting the definition of
“significantly impaired” to the defendant being prevented from appreciating
the wrongfulness of the conduct was error, but argues the error is not
prejudicial. The jury instructions specifically noted that the burden was not
so high “as to constitute a defense to prosecution.” And the State did not
argue that Johnson was required to prove the impairment fully prevented
him from knowing the criminal act was wrong, but instead that he was not
so high on Xanax that he was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his
conduct. Indeed, the State argued that impairment only referred to an
“impact [on] his ability to know right from wrong,” and it argued that the
jury had heard how Johnson acted when he was actually impaired—
slurring his speech, being unable to stay awake—but that on the day of the
murder nobody described any such impairment. Instead, the evidence
showed that Johnson took affirmative steps to conceal his role in the
murder—Johnson falsely claimed that Fu had cut herself, reversed his truck
when driving away to prevent his license plate from being seen, and went
2 The Revised Arizona Jury Instructions (Criminal) now provide that
significant impairment “substantially reduce[s] the defendant’s ability to
appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct . . . .” Rev. Ariz. Jury Instr.
(Crim.) Capital Case 3.2, at 620 (4th ed. 2018),
https://www.azbar.org/media/1904900/rajicriminal-4thed2018.pdf.
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Opinion of the Court
to his girlfriend’s apartment to clean his truck and clothes—indicating that
he knew his conduct was wrong.
¶44 Further, the court instructed the jury that it was “not limited
to the mitigating circumstances offered by the defendant,” but must “also
consider any other information that you find is relevant in determining
whether to impose a life sentence so long as it relates to an aspect of the
defendant’s background, character, propensities, history or record or
circumstances of the offense.” Johnson presented a large mitigation case.
He called several mitigation witnesses who testified that he was a student
at Columbine during the infamous school shooting, about his history of
substance abuse and a personality disorder, his family love and support,
his adoption, and other struggles. Similarly, Johnson presented evidence
of his behavior while on drugs. Yet, the jury heard and considered
Johnson’s mitigation and found it lacking when compared to the three
aggravating factors and the nature of the murder. Johnson was not
prejudiced by the instruction.
E. Prison Housing Conditions and Johnson’s Right to Trial
¶45 Johnson argues the court erred by allowing the State to
introduce evidence of prison housing conditions and to comment on his
exercise of the right to trial. We review the court’s rulings regarding the
admissibility of evidence for an abuse of discretion. State v. Gill, 242 Ariz.
1, 3 ¶ 7 (2017). “An error of law committed in reaching a discretionary
conclusion may, however, constitute an abuse of discretion.” State v. Wall,
212 Ariz. 1, 3 ¶ 12 (2006).
i. Prison housing conditions
¶46 Before trial, Johnson moved to admit his offers to plead guilty
as mitigating evidence, per Busso-Estopellan v. Mroz, 238 Ariz. 553, 554–55
¶¶ 5–7 (2015). The State responded that it intended to rebut Johnson’s plea
offers with evidence that the offers were conditioned on receiving a life
sentence and that prisoners serving such sentences have better prison
housing conditions than those on death row. While Johnson agreed that
the State could rebut his plea offers by showing they were conditioned, he
argued that the prison housing evidence was irrelevant because he was
unaware of preferable prison housing conditions and the State had no
evidence showing he offered to plead guilty to obtain them. The court
15
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
granted Johnson’s motion to admit his plea offers, but deferred ruling on
the scope of the State’s rebuttal until trial.
¶47 During trial, Johnson repeated his objection, filing a motion
to preclude the evidence. The State countered that it did not “have to prove
that this was the defendant’s sole motivation,” but that “this is a man who’s
been to [the Department of Corrections] twice” and thus was “aware of
classifications and movement systems and numbering.” The court denied
Johnson’s motion.
¶48 At trial, Johnson introduced his conditioned plea offers. In
rebuttal, the State presented the testimony of a Department of Corrections
administrator, who explained the potential housing differences, based on
custody levels, between an inmate serving a life sentence and one serving a
death sentence. In her testimony, she described the “privileges” and
“incentives” a life sentence inmate can receive as a result of potential lower
custody levels.
¶49 At the close of mitigation, Johnson allocuted. He apologized
for the murder, stated that he “would have pled guilty to this first-degree
murder as early as March of 2012,” and asked for leniency.
¶50 In closing, the State argued:
And you never heard once, in the mitigation claim or the
defendant standing in front of you, that he only made a
conditional offer to plead guilty to the crimes. That condition
being you give me the sentence I want and I’ll plead guilty.
Nothing stops a defendant from pleading guilty if that’s what
they choose. But in this case, the defendant would only plead
guilty if he could get the least sentence available. Is that truly
admitting guilt and accepting responsibility, to demand he
get the least sentence available if convicted of this crime?
How worthy is that evidence when the defendant slaps a
condition on it?
And you heard from [the Department of Correction’s
administrator] the possible benefits he can get with a natural
life sentence, that being within the first five years and on a
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
review period thereafter, being reduced all the way down
from maximum custody, to closed custody, to medium
custody, enjoying all of those privileges, freedoms and
benefits. In light of that evidence introduced to solely rebut
the defendant’s claim of an offer of responsibility, of an
acceptance of responsibility, how mitigating are those facts
when compared to that defendant would only plead guilty if
the State gave him what he wanted?
¶51 In Busso-Estopellan, we held that the “[a]cceptance of
responsibility is a non-statutory mitigating circumstance” and that
defendant’s plea offer “is relevant because it tends to make his acceptance
of responsibility . . . more probable.” 238 Ariz. at 554–55 ¶ 67. We further
stated that “the court may exercise its discretion to determine how best to
admit the evidence,” “may avert . . . confusion . . . by instructing the jury
that the State was not required to extend a plea offer,” and “may permit
introduction of part of the offer letter.” Id. at 555 ¶¶ 10–11.
¶52 Johnson argues that evidence of prison housing conditions is
irrelevant. See, e.g., People v. Quartermain, 941 P.2d 788, 807 (Cal. 1997)
(“[E]vidence of the conditions of confinement that a defendant will
experience if sentenced to life imprisonment without parole is irrelevant to
the jury’s penalty determination because it does not relate to the
defendant’s character, culpability, or the circumstances of the offense.”).
The State argues that it was permitted to include evidence of prison housing
conditions to rebut Johnson’s plea offers by establishing a motivation for
pleading guilty other than remorse or acceptance of responsibility. See
People v. Ledesma, 140 P.3d 657, 724 (Cal. 2006) (finding nothing improper
about the prosecutor questioning defense witnesses about the defendant’s
motive to plead guilty to rebut defendant’s claim that he pled guilty to
accept responsibility).
¶53 But the State presented no evidence that Johnson was aware
of the housing differences or that a difference in housing conditions
motivated his plea offer. The State thus failed to prove the antecedent fact
necessary to make the evidence relevant and thus admissible.
¶54 And even if the State introduced evidence that Johnson knew
of the differences and made his plea offer based on those differences,
evidence of prison housing conditions would still likely be inadmissible.
17
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
The State may rebut the motivation of the plea offers by showing that some
motivating factor compelled the plea offer other than remorse or an
acceptance of responsibility. Busso-Estopellan, 238 Ariz. at 554–55 ¶¶ 5–7,
10–11. But evidence of prison housing conditions is only marginally
probative of an alternative motive for the plea offer and is likely
outweighed by the potential prejudice from the inference that a defendant
would receive enhanced living conditions if not sentenced to death. See id.
at 554 ¶ 6 (stating that though “the Arizona Rules of Evidence do not apply
in the penalty phase, we are ‘guided by fundamentally the same
considerations’” (quoting State v. Guarino, 238 Ariz. 437, 439 ¶ 6 (2015)); see
also Guarino, 238 Ariz. at 441 ¶ 15 (noting that unduly prejudicial evidence
in the penalty phase may be precluded, even where it would otherwise be
relevant). The trial court erred in denying Johnson’s motion.
¶55 The State argues the error is nevertheless harmless. See
Escalante, 245 Ariz. at 144 ¶ 30 (stating that under this standard the state
must show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to
or affect the verdict or sentence” (internal quotation marks omitted)). We
agree.
¶56 Johnson did not object to the evidence’s prejudicial impact
nor does he now argue that the evidence deprived him of due process
because it was unduly prejudicial. Cf. Prince, 226 Ariz. at 534 ¶ 65 (“[T]he
Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause prohibits . . . evidence that
‘is so unduly prejudicial that it renders the trial fundamentally unfair.’”
(quoting Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U.S. 808, 825–26 (1991))). Even so, in cross-
examination of the Department of Corrections administrator and closing,
Johnson showed the differences in housing conditions were minimal.
Further, the State offered evidence of the prison housing conditions for a
limited purpose—“to solely rebut the defendant’s claim of an offer of
responsibility” (which was also motivated by Johnson’s desire to escape the
death penalty). It did not rely on the evidence of prison housing conditions
to argue that death was required because a life sentence would otherwise
reward Johnson and the evidence was cumulative to the State’s evidence
that his plea offer was contingent on his receiving a natural life sentence.
Last, the jury found significant aggravation in this case—the (F)(2), (F)(6),
and (F)(7)(a) and (b) aggravators. Based on the foregoing, we conclude that
even if the erroneously admitted evidence had been excluded, no
reasonable jury would have reached a different result. Cf. State v. Dann, 206
Ariz. 371, 374 ¶ 14 (2003) (asking whether, after reviewing the evidence, a
18
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
reasonable jury would weigh the mitigation evidence differently and thus
reach a different result).
ii. Comment on plea offers and Johnson’s allocution
¶57 Johnson next argues the court erred by allowing the State to
comment during the penalty phase closing that “[n]othing stops a
defendant from pleading guilty if that’s what they choose. . . . Is [it] truly
admitting guilt and accepting responsibility, to demand he get the least
sentence available if convicted of this crime?” But the State’s comment
related to evidence in the record and was proper rebuttal to Johnson’s
allocution and plea offers. See Chappell, 225 Ariz. at 238 ¶ 32 (stating the
right to allocution is not absolute and that the state may present appropriate
rebuttal); United States v. Fell (Fell II), 531 F.3d 197, 220–21 (2d Cir. 2008)
(finding the prosecutor’s comment—“if [the defendant] wanted to plead
guilty he could have”—to be a reasonable response to defendant’s use of
his plea offer and that no Fifth or Sixth Amendment right was violated).
And the State’s closing did not otherwise comment on or reference
Johnson’s allocution in a way that penalized him for exercising his right to
go to trial. Cf. United States v. Whitten, 610 F.3d 168, 195 (2d Cir. 2010)
(stating that the defendant’s “constitutionally protected decision to go to
trial was cited as a reason to sentence him to death, and thus to ‘enhance’
what would otherwise be a life sentence”).
F. Inconsistent Mercy, Sympathy, and Presumption of Death
Instructions
¶58 Johnson argues the trial court gave internally inconsistent
jury instructions regarding mercy, sympathy, and the presumption of death
and that the instructions likely caused juror confusion resulting in an
unconstitutional sentence. Because Johnson failed to object at trial, we
review for fundamental error only. Velazquez, 216 Ariz. at 309 ¶ 37.
¶59 During the trial, the jury was instructed as follows:
Each one of you must decide individually whether any
mitigating circumstance exists.
You are not limited to the mitigating circumstances offered by
the defendant. You must also consider any other information
19
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
that you find is relevant in determining whether to impose a
life sentence so long as it relates to an aspect of the
defendant’s background, character, propensities, history or
record or circumstances of the offense.
The defendant bears the burden of proving the existence of
any mitigating circumstance that the defendant offers by a
preponderance of the evidence . . . .
....
Even if a juror believes that the aggravating and mitigating
circumstances are of the same quality or value, that juror is
not required to vote for a sentence of death and may instead
vote for a sentence of life in prison. A juror may find
mitigation and impose a life sentence even if the defendant
does not present any mitigation evidence.
....
[E]ach of you must determine whether, in your individual
assessment, the mitigation is of such quality or value that it
warrants leniency in this case.
The law does not presume what is the appropriate sentence.
The defendant does not have the burden of proving that life
is the appropriate sentence. The State does not have the
burden of proving that death is the appropriate sentence. It
is for you as jurors to decide what you individually believe is
the appropriate sentence.
In reaching a reasoned, moral judgment about which sentence
is justified and appropriate, you must decide how compelling
or persuasive the totality of the mitigating factors is when
evaluated in connection with the totality of the aggravating
factors and the facts and circumstances of the case. This
assessment is not a mathematical one, but instead must be
made in light of each juror’s individual qualitative evaluation
of the facts of the case, the severity of the aggravating factors,
and the quality of the mitigating factors found by each juror.
20
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
If you unanimously agree there is mitigation sufficiently
substantial to call for leniency, then you shall return a verdict
of life. If you unanimously agree there is no mitigation, or the
mitigation is not sufficiently substantial to call for leniency,
then you shall return a verdict of death.
Your decision is not a recommendation. Your decision is
binding. . . .
¶60 Johnson argues the stated instructions were confusing
because at separate times they suggested there was a presumption for life,
then death. But the above instructions correctly conveyed that Arizona
“law does not presume [there] is [an] appropriate sentence.” See State v.
Glassel, 211 Ariz. 33, 52 ¶ 72 (2005) (discussing scheme’s constitutionality
where it does not create a “presumption of death”). Further, the
instructions accurately describe that it is the duty of each juror to decide
whether a life or death sentence is appropriate “in light of each juror’s
individual qualitative evaluation of the facts of the case, the severity of the
aggravating factors, and the quality of the mitigating factors found by each
juror.”
¶61 Johnson additionally argues the instructions allowed the jury
to believe that the responsibility for determining whether a death sentence
should be imposed rested elsewhere, i.e., with the state or defense upon
meeting their burdens of proof. See Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 328–
32 (1985) (noting concern that jurors could “delegate” their responsibility to
a higher court in review). The instructions, however, reinforced that each
juror’s decision was his or her own, that the jury’s “decision [was] not a
recommendation” but was “binding,” and that neither Johnson nor the
State had a burden to prove that a life or death sentence was appropriate.
¶62 Johnson next argues the court gave conflicting “mercy” and
“sympathy” instructions and that this error prevented the jury from giving
a “reasoned moral response” to Johnson’s mitigation. We rejected a similar
argument in State v. Carreon, 210 Ariz. 54, 70–71 ¶¶ 81–87 (2005), and State
v. Kuhs, 223 Ariz. 376, 386–87 ¶¶ 51–56 (2010), and Johnson provides no
reason to revisit those decisions. The instructions did not obfuscate the
concepts of mercy or sympathy, nor did they prevent the jury from giving
Johnson’s mitigation a reasoned moral response. The instructions limited
the jury’s consideration to the evidence presented as it related to Johnson’s
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
character, record, and the circumstances of the offense. See California v.
Brown, 479 U.S. 538, 545 (1987) (O’Connor, J., concurring) (stating that “the
sentence imposed at the penalty stage should reflect a reasoned moral
response to the defendant’s background, character, and crime rather than
mere sympathy or emotion”). No error occurred.
G. Execution Impact Evidence
¶63 Johnson argues the trial court erred by excluding execution
impact evidence because it was relevant to his character and showed his
family’s love and support, citing Woodson v. North Carolina, 428 U.S. 280,
288, 304 (1976), State v. Carriger, 143 Ariz. 142, 162 (1984), and People v.
Ochoa, 966 P.2d 442, 505–06 (Cal. 1998). But we have previously held
execution impact evidence inadmissible. See State v. Rose, 231 Ariz. 500,
513–14 ¶¶ 63–65 (2013); Chappell, 225 Ariz. at 238 ¶¶ 28–30; Roque, 213 Ariz.
at 222 ¶¶ 117–20. We decline to revisit those decisions.
¶64 To the extent Johnson argues that the court prevented him
from presenting evidence touching on his character and family support, we
note that the court’s ruling “[did] not preclude the defendant’s family,
friends, associates or representatives from expressing support and/or
mitigation.” The “ruling simply restrict[ed] anyone on behalf of the family
from expressing views regarding the impact upon the family should the
defendant be executed.” See Rose, 231 Ariz. at 514 ¶ 65 n.3 (“To the extent
Rose argues that his family ties and the love of a defendant’s family has
been held by this Court to be mitigation, we agree that the existence of
family ties is a mitigating factor.” (alterations omitted) (citation and internal
quotation marks omitted)).
¶65 To the extent Johnson urges this Court to allow execution
impact evidence to counter victim impact evidence, we are not persuaded.
Allowing victim impact evidence reflects the view that for a “jury to assess
meaningfully the defendant’s moral culpability and blameworthiness, it
should have before it at the sentencing phase evidence of the specific harm
caused by the defendant.” See Payne, 501 U.S. at 825. Victim impact
evidence bears on the “harm imposed[] upon the victims” of the crime, and
thus relates to the circumstance of the offense, id. at 826–27, whereas
execution impact evidence relates only to the impact on the defendant’s
family, cf. Chappell, 225 Ariz. at 238 ¶ 29 (stating that the requirements of
the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments do not limit the trial court’s
22
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
authority “to exclude, as irrelevant, evidence not bearing on the defendant’s
character, prior record, or the circumstances of his offense” (quoting Lockett
v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 604 n.12 (1978)). No error occurred.
H. Limitation of Mitigation Evidence
¶66 Johnson argues the court erred by limiting his presentation of
mitigation evidence. We review the trial court’s rulings on the admissibility
of evidence for an abuse of discretion. Gill, 242 Ariz. at 3 ¶ 7.
¶67 Under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, a defendant
may present mitigation evidence based on any aspect of his character,
record, or the circumstances of the offense. Chappell, 225 Ariz. at 238 ¶ 29
(citing Lockett, 438 U.S. at 604). Consequently, § 13-751(G) provides that the
jury shall consider any factors proffered by the defendant that are relevant
in determining whether to impose a sentence less than death. And § 13-
751(C) provides that “the defendant may present any information that is
relevant to any of the mitigating circumstances included in subsection G . .
. regardless of its admissibility under the rules governing admission of
evidence at criminal trials.” Though the Arizona Rules of Evidence do not
apply in the penalty phase of a first degree murder trial, we are nevertheless
“guided by fundamentally the same considerations.” Busso-Estopellan, 238
Ariz. at 554 ¶ 6.
i. Columbine
¶68 Johnson was a student at Columbine High School at the time
of the school shooting. Before trial, the State filed a motion to narrow the
scope of Columbine mitigation to evidence “relevant as it relates to
defendant’s character, prior record or the circumstances of his offense.”
The State sought to limit, at the time, roughly 23,000 pages of evidence
touching on the effect Columbine had not only on Johnson, but on other
students and the community generally. As such, the State sought to
preclude irrelevant information and limit unduly cumulative evidence.
The court agreed. While it allowed Johnson to “tell the story” of the
Columbine shooting with approximately three to five witnesses, introduce
evidence of Johnson’s reactions during and after the shooting, its effects on
him, and its effects on the school and town generally, the court precluded
testimony from fellow students of Columbine’s impact on their lives and
on the lives of other individuals, finding it irrelevant.
23
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶69 The court did not abuse its discretion. Johnson introduced
evidence about the Columbine shooting, that he was a freshman at
Columbine High School at the time of the shooting, its effects generally on
the community, its effects personally on him, and that he was thereafter
diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”).
Testimony by other Columbine survivors as to its effects on their lives does
not bear specifically on Johnson’s character. The trial court correctly noted
that such testimony risks confusing the jury, unfair prejudice, and wasting
time, and is cumulative to the other, admissible, Columbine-related
evidence. The court did not abuse its discretion by excluding this
testimony.
ii. Adopted-child syndrome
¶70 Johnson argues the court incorrectly limited his presentation
of adopted-child syndrome evidence. During the trial, Johnson introduced
evidence that he was adopted from Korea as an infant and that Dr.
Kirschner had diagnosed him with a dissociative disorder called “adopted-
child syndrome.” But adopted-child syndrome is not officially recognized
in any edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(“DSM”). Johnson claims the court prevented him from asking Dr.
Kirschner why adopted-child syndrome was not yet recognized.
¶71 Reviewing the record, the court simply prevented Dr.
Kirschner from speculating why the diagnosis was not officially recognized
in the DSM, a matter outside of the scope of his testimony and the trial. The
court did not prevent Johnson from asking whether the DSM was the “be-
all-end-all” as it pertains to diagnoses to establish that it was not. Nor did
it prevent Johnson from asking Dr. Kirschner to identify the basis for his
diagnosis. No abuse of discretion occurred.
iii. Drug-seeking behavior
¶72 Johnson argues the court erred by preventing him from
eliciting testimony during redirect examination that he sought counseling
for psychological benefits and not to obtain prescription drugs.
¶73 During cross-examination of Dr. Abrams, the State elicited
testimony that in 2008, Johnson “wanted something to help him relax,”
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
“that he was out of Xanax,” and that “[h]e was at the hospital asking for
more Xanax.” On redirect, Johnson sought to ask whether “there [was] any
indication at that point in time [that] Johnson [was] going to the hospital in
order to obtain drugs?” The State objected, arguing that it elicited only
testimony showing that Johnson minimized his substance abuse issues. See
State v. Hicks, 133 Ariz. 64, 69 (1982) (limiting redirect examination to the
scope of cross-examination). Though the State claimed during its objection
that it did not elicit testimony of drug-seeking behavior during its cross-
examination of Dr. Abrams, the question implied that the reason for
Johnson’s hospital visit was to obtain drugs. The court’s ruling sustaining
the State’s objection was therefore arguably error. But because Johnson
admitted that the inference was only implied, not directly stated, and
because his question was unclear, any error was harmless.
¶74 Further, the record reveals that some of Johnson’s redirect
questions on this issue were answered before the State’s objection and
Johnson addressed the alleged drug-seeking behavior by asking the same
questions to Dr. DeMarte, who testified later during the trial. To the extent
Johnson generally argues that the court improperly limited mitigation
evidence regarding drug-seeking behavior, Johnson introduced evidence
that he had a genetic predisposition to substance abuse, was an adolescent
when he started abusing drugs, and that he had a history of substance
abuse, which he tied back to Columbine and his PTSD diagnosis.
iv. PTSD
¶75 Johnson argues that the court prevented him from fully
detailing the effects of his PTSD. However, as discussed above, Johnson
presented evidence of his PTSD diagnosis to the jury. To the extent Johnson
argues the court improperly limited redirect on PTSD criteria, Johnson’s
objected-to question related to substance abuse, whereas, as Johnson
acknowledged at trial, the portion of the State’s cross-examination at issue
related only to nightmares. After sustaining the State’s objection, the trial
court nevertheless allowed Johnson to ask, “Why [are] nightmares
important?” to which Dr. Abrams answered that nightmares were “one of
the criteria for [PTSD].” The court did not abuse its discretion.
v. Counseling
¶76 Johnson argues the court limited his ability to discuss
25
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
counseling as mitigation evidence. Johnson has waived this argument by
not developing it. See Bolton, 182 Ariz. at 298. Nevertheless, we note that
Johnson introduced evidence that he attended counseling and therapy post-
Columbine and sought out counseling when he was having issues with his
marriage; he was not prevented from arguing that he fared better and
improved with counseling. No error occurred.
vi. Antisocial personality disorder
¶77 Last, Johnson inconsistently argues (1) that the State
impermissibly implied that he had an antisocial personality disorder
diagnosis the State knew did not exist, and (2) that he should have been
allowed to introduce evidence that he had an antisocial personality
disorder as mitigating evidence.
¶78 In mitigation, Johnson introduced evidence that he displayed
paranoid, avoidant, and alexithymic features and that Dr. Abrams
diagnosed him with personality disorder “NOS” (“not otherwise
specified”). However, neither Dr. Abrams nor Dr. Kirschner diagnosed him
with a specified personality disorder, such as antisocial personality
disorder. Nevertheless, Dr. Abrams and Dr. Kirschner discussed Johnson’s
antisocial tendencies, as well as antisocial and conduct disorders generally,
effects of which dated back to Columbine.
¶79 In rebuttal, the State called Dr. DeMarte, who defined
antisocial personality disorder as “a personality disorder where an
individual has a pervasive pattern of disregarding societal standards and
following rules and engaging in society in a productive manner.” She
further testified that adolescent conduct disorder was indicative of later
antisocial personality disorder, and thus a diagnosis of a conduct disorder
in youth usually preceded a diagnosis of an antisocial personality disorder
in adulthood. Because she found evidence of a conduct disorder lacking,
Dr. DeMarte determined there was no antisocial personality disorder,
though Johnson displayed antisocial traits. The State then elicited
testimony indicating that Johnson withheld instances of antisocial conduct
from her which occurred when he was younger, and Dr. DeMarte answered
that such adolescent behavior “would support evidence for antisocial
personality disorder.” Johnson objected, arguing the State was attempting
to back-door an antisocial personality disorder diagnosis, and moved for a
mistrial. The State responded that it was only seeking to show that Johnson
26
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
underreported his adolescent activities. The court denied Johnson’s
motion, and ordered the State to confirm with Dr. DeMarte that there was
no diagnosis, which she did.
¶80 The court did not abuse its discretion. The court sustained
Johnson’s objection and remedied the improper inference by requiring the
State to ask whether there was a diagnosis, to which Dr. DeMarte
responded there was not. Nor was there any harm. Johnson introduced
evidence of antisocial traits and his personality disorder. And he presented
evidence generally describing antisocial personality disorders and conduct
disorders. Lastly, he introduced evidence that doctors did not diagnose
him with an antisocial personality disorder. The State’s cross-examination,
challenging Johnson’s underreporting to Dr. Abrams, Dr. Kirschner, and
Dr. DeMarte, was permissible rebuttal. To the extent Johnson argues
evidence of an antisocial personality disorder should have been allowed, he
was not prevented from arguing that his personality disorder and antisocial
traits were mitigating circumstances, which he did.
¶81 Contrary to Johnson’s claims, he presented evidence
regarding the Columbine shooting, his PTSD, his history of substance abuse
and his biological predisposition, and how his adoption affected him. Each
of the court’s rulings correctly excluded irrelevant, cumulative evidence, or
testimony outside the scope of cross or redirect examination.
I. Defense Counsel’s Attorneys’ Notes
¶82 Johnson argues the court erred by ordering the disclosure of
his attorneys’ notes. We review the legal scope of disclosure under Arizona
Rule of Criminal Procedure 15 de novo, while we review the judge’s rulings
for an abuse of discretion. Roque, 213 Ariz. at 205 ¶ 21.
¶83 In his July 2015 notice of mitigation witnesses, Johnson
included summaries of witness statements. The State argued the
summaries did not comply with Rule 15.2(h) and asked the court to order
that Johnson turn over all written witness statements, not just summaries.
Johnson responded that the notes were not subject to disclosure because
they were investigatory notes of the defense team and reflected counsel’s
opinions, conclusions, and impressions. Johnson further asserted that
counsel’s notes of meetings were inaccurate because they did not reflect
verbatim statements and instead were “only quick notes of their own
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
impressions of the statements made by the witnesses,” and that a conflict
might arise should counsel be called to verify the veracity of any
statements. See Dean v. Superior Court, 84 Ariz. 104, 110–13 (1958). The court
entered an order for Johnson to “disclose as soon as possible . . . any and all
witness statements not previously disclosed, with defense team opinions,
theories and conclusions redacted.” The court further informed Johnson
that he could seek in camera review if he believed disclosure of a specific
witness statement would violate an ethical obligation.
¶84 Johnson sought special action relief, which was denied. The
court of appeals concluded that the order allowed Johnson to redact
opinions, theories, and conclusions from the handwritten notes, and stated
that “[p]ending the result of an in camera review,” it was “in no position to
rule in the abstract on whether disclosure of any specific witness statement
may raise ethical concerns.”
¶85 Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 15.2(h)(1)(A)(ii) requires
disclosure of any written or recorded statement. Rule 15.4 defines a
statement to include “a written record or summary of a person’s oral
communications,” but protects “[s]uperseded [n]otes” which are not
“statement[s] if they were substantially incorporated into a document or
report . . . .” Ariz. R. Crim. P. 15.4(a)(1)(C), (a)(3). Further, Rule 15.4 protects
an attorney’s work product, providing that a “party is not required to
disclose . . . records, . . . reports, or memoranda to the extent they contain
the opinions, theories, or conclusions of the prosecutor or defense counsel.”
Id. 15.4(b)(1).
¶86 Rule 15.2(h) statements, however, “do not meet the ‘work
product’ exception to disclosure under Rule 15.4(b)(1), . . . as they are not
‘theories, opinions and conclusions’ of the parties or their agents.” See State
v. Nunez, 23 Ariz. App. 462, 463 (1975) (citation omitted). “To rule otherwise
would make a premium out of [n]ot taking verbatim statements in order to
avoid the disclosure required by the rules.” Id.; see also Austin v. Alfred, 163
Ariz. 397, 403 (App. 1990) (stating that it “would be incongruous to allow a
party” to use the attorney-client privilege as a strategic tool to “deny access
of the opposing party to relevant information”).
¶87 Johnson cites Hickman v. Taylor, 329 U.S. 495, 508–14 (1947),
and Upjohn Co. v. United States, 449 U.S. 383, 399–401 (1981), to support his
argument, but neither compels a different result. In Hickman, the petitioner
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
sought the disclosure of witness statements, private memoranda, and
personal recollections. 329 U.S. at 510. The Court found the petitioner’s
request to be a simple attempt, “without purported necessity or
justification,” id., to gather evidence “revealed to him already through the
interrogatories or . . . readily available to him direct from the witnesses for
the asking,” id. at 509, “only to help prepare himself to examine witnesses
and to make sure that he ha[d] overlooked nothing,” id. at 513. The Court
stated that “[u]nder ordinary conditions, forcing an attorney to repeat or
write out all that witnesses have told him and to deliver the account to his
adversary gives rise to grave dangers of inaccuracy and untrustworthiness”
and that “[n]o legitimate purpose” would be served. Id. at 512–13.
¶88 But the Court did not preclude the production of statements
in all cases. Instead, it stated that “[w]here relevant and non-privileged
facts remain hidden in an attorney’s file and where production of those facts
is essential to the preparation of one’s case, discovery may properly be
had.” Id. at 511. Indeed, “[w]ere production of written statements and
documents to be precluded under such circumstances, the liberal ideals of
[discovery] would be stripped of much of their meaning.” Id. at 511–12.
¶89 In Upjohn, the Court reiterated that “[f]orcing an attorney to
disclose notes and memoranda of witnesses’ oral statements is particularly
disfavored because it tends to reveal the attorney’s mental processes.” 449
U.S. at 399; see also Baker v. Gen. Motors Corp., 209 F.3d 1051, 1054 (8th Cir.
2000) (reasoning that attorney notes reveal the attorney’s legal conclusions
because, when taking notes, attorneys focus on those facts they deem
legally relevant). But as in Hickman, the Upjohn Court explicitly stated that
it was not adopting a bright-line rule. 449 U.S. at 401 (“We do not decide
the issue at this time.”).
¶90 Here, the statements being sought were not protected by any
privilege, see Nunez, 23 Ariz. App. at 463, nor did the court allow
“unfettered scrutiny” of the notes, cf. State ex rel. Corbin v. Ybarra, 161 Ariz.
188, 192 (1989). Rather, it properly ordered production by in camera review
to allow Johnson to redact any “opinions, theories, or conclusions” that
defense notes included, and Johnson does not raise any dispute arising
from that process.
¶91 No abuse of discretion occurred. And although Johnson
challenges the court’s ruling on Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth
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Opinion of the Court
Amendment grounds, as well as on article 2, sections 4, 15, and 24 of the
Arizona Constitution, he provides no basis to conclude the trial was unfair
or that a due process or right to counsel violation occurred, fails to develop
this portion of his argument, and thus waives it. Bolton, 182 Ariz. at 298.
J. Motion to Withdraw from the 2010 Armed Robbery Plea
¶92 Johnson argues the court denied him the presumption of
innocence when it refused to allow him to withdraw from his guilty plea in
his unrelated armed robbery case. As the State correctly notes, however,
this Court is limited to the issues raised in this appeal. See Ariz. R. Crim. P.
31.2(b) (stating that the automatic appeal of a death penalty verdict operates
“with respect to all judgments entered and sentences imposed in that case”
(emphasis added)). This Court has no jurisdiction over the armed robbery
plea or the court’s denial of Johnson’s motion to withdraw his plea
agreement in that case.
K. Compelled Releases
¶93 Johnson argues the court erred by ordering him to sign
releases for certain records. We review the trial court’s discovery rulings
for an abuse of discretion, but note that when the court commits an error of
law in the process of reaching a discretionary conclusion, it may be
regarded as having abused its discretion. Twin City Fire Ins. Co. v. Burke,
204 Ariz. 251, 253–54 ¶ 10 (2003).
¶94 Both before and during the trial, the State requested records
from BYU-Idaho, Mesa Community College, and Johnson’s Colorado
presentence report. See A.R.S. § 13-752(G) (providing that “the state may
present any evidence that is relevant to the determination of whether there
is mitigation that is sufficiently substantial to call for leniency” and may
present “any evidence regarding the defendant’s character, propensities,
criminal record or other acts”). After the State encountered difficulty
obtaining the records, the court ordered Johnson to sign releases so the State
could obtain them. Johnson does not challenge the disclosure of the
records, but instead only being compelled to sign the releases.
¶95 Johnson argues the compelled release order was improper,
citing Sherlock v. Fontainebleau, 229 F. Supp. 3d 1277, 1282–83 (S.D. Fla. 2017)
(holding that, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
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Opinion of the Court
Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), a party must comply with the disclosure
procedures of HIPAA and the court may not compel a party to sign release
authorizations). Johnson further argues that a compelled release is not
voluntary and that the court’s orders cast doubt upon the fairness of the
proceedings.
¶96 But in Sherlock, the court recognized the “absence of
controlling authority” and that courts were split regarding whether the
compelled signing of releases was permissible. See id. at 1281–82. And its
holding was dependent upon, and limited to, Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 34 and the disclosure procedures of HIPAA. See id. at 1282–83
(stating that “[u]nder the HIPAA regulations, a health care provider is
authorized to produce records in response to a subpoena,” which “should
be more than sufficient to cause a provider to turn over the responsive
medical records”).
¶97 Here, the court had the authority to order Johnson to make
records available to the State. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 15.2(g)(1) (granting the
court the authority to order, upon the state’s motion, the disclosure of
material or information not already included if the state has substantial
need for it, the “State cannot obtain the substantial equivalent by other
means without undue hardship,” and the disclosure would not violate the
defendant’s constitutional rights). The State sought relevant records, to
which it was entitled, but as it related to BYU-Idaho, claimed its only access
to such records was by an Idaho court order or signed authorization; BYU-
Idaho would not recognize an Arizona court order. As for Mesa
Community College, the State argued that Mesa Community College waits
ten days for an opposing side to respond to a court order and that the
college failed to respond to the last court order because it did not believe
the order was served properly. Similarly, the State informed the court that
Colorado required a court order or signed release.
¶98 Given the State’s right to the records and the difficulty in
otherwise obtaining the records, we find no error.
L. Voir Dire
¶99 Johnson argues the court prevented him from choosing a
constitutionally adequate jury by limiting his ability to question jurors on
whether they would be willing to consider mitigation evidence. We review
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rulings on voir dire and motions to strike for an abuse of discretion. Glassel,
211 Ariz. at 45 ¶ 36.
¶100 Before trial, the State filed a motion to prohibit Johnson from
asking potential jurors their views on specific types of mitigating
circumstances. In opposition, Johnson argued the court should allow “case
specific” questions regarding whether jurors could impartially vote for life
or death in light of certain mitigating circumstances. The court forbade
questions “that groom or condition prospective jurors regarding evidence
that may be presented at trial,” but stated that it might allow appropriate
case-specific questions.
¶101 After voir dire, Johnson filed a motion declining to pass the
jury panel, arguing that he had inadequate “time and opportunity” to “vet”
the jury panel pursuant to Morgan v. Illinois, 504 U.S. 719 (1992). Johnson
further argued that he should have been allowed to ask the jurors whether,
given the facts of the case as set out in the defendant’s proposed juror
questionnaire, they would render a verdict of death. The court denied
Johnson’s motion, finding “its rulings have all been within the [sic] its
discretion and consistent with Arizona Supreme Court precedent.” We
agree.
¶102 A defendant is entitled to a fair and impartial jury. Velazquez,
216 Ariz. at 306 ¶ 18. As such, due process requires that trial courts permit
a defendant to inquire whether prospective jurors would always impose
the death penalty. Morgan, 504 U.S. at 729–33. However, this principle does
not permit the defendant to “ask a juror to speculate or precommit on how
that juror might vote based on any particular facts,” Smith, 215 Ariz. at 231
¶ 42 (internal quotation marks omitted), nor does it allow the defendant to
ask questions regarding specific aggravating circumstances or “what types
of evidence the [jury] will consider to be mitigating,” State v. Patterson, 230
Ariz. 270, 273 ¶ 8 (2012) (quoting Glassel, 211 Ariz. at 47 ¶ 44).
¶103 Here, Johnson sought to ask whether, based on the facts of the
case, potential jurors would render a death verdict. He further sought to
ask, “[w]hat would ‘mitigation’ mean to you?” He thus tried to ask the
case-specific questions our case law generally prohibits.
¶104 Insofar as Johnson argues he should have been allowed to ask
permissible case-specific questions, he ignores that the court granted him
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Opinion of the Court
the opportunity to ask such questions when appropriate. See State v. Garcia,
224 Ariz. 1, 8–9 ¶¶ 14–16 (2010) (allowing case-specific questions in order
to “properly probe[] beyond abstract juror views on capital punishment”
so long as they “merely asked [whether] jurors . . . could consider the death
penalty in circumstances in which it is permitted under Arizona law”). In
addition to multiple juror questionnaire questions about predispositions on
capital punishment, see Glassel, 211 Ariz. at 46 ¶ 38, Johnson asked jurors
“whether [they] could imagine a situation where the totality of a
defendant’s character, including things he’s endured or accomplished,
could warrant mercy, despite his crimes.”
¶105 Separately, Johnson argues that voir dire was inadequate
because the court limited the parties to roughly four-and-a-half minutes per
juror. Johnson’s claim is meritless. First, the jurors completed a 100-
question juror questionnaire to help the parties narrow their follow-up
questions. Second, the court stated that it was “willing to work with [the
parties] if somebody says something that needs more follow-up than
anticipated,” and would allow “reasonable continuances where
appropriate.” The court showed overall flexibility by granting additional
time when needed. See State v. Acuna Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. 197, 208 ¶ 19
(2018). No abuse of discretion occurred. See State v. Escalante-Orozco, 241
Ariz. 254, 271 ¶¶ 33–34 (2017) (affirming five-minute-per-juror time limit),
abrogated on other grounds by Escalante, 245 Ariz. 135.
M. Motions to Strike Jurors for Cause
¶106 Johnson argues he was precluded from using peremptory
strikes on prospective jurors 56, 154, and 294 because he was forced to use
them on prospective jurors 9, 31, and 59, whom the court refused to strike
for cause. We review the trial court’s denial of a motion to strike a juror for
an abuse of discretion, giving deference to the trial court, which was in the
best position to observe the potential jurors. Patterson, 230 Ariz. at 274 ¶ 14.
i. Non-strike of prospective jurors 9, 31, and 59
¶107 During voir dire, Johnson posed the following question to
prospective juror 9:
[L]et’s say you’re sitting as a juror on a case, and that it’s a
first-degree murder case, intentional premeditated murder;
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that you and 11 other members of that jury found the
defendant, beyond a reasonable doubt, guilty of intentional
premeditated killing of an innocent victim; that you and the
11 other jurors considered any defenses that might have been
offered, whether it was self-defense, defense of others, heat of
passion. For you, in that case, would the death penalty be the
only reasonable penalty that you would consider?
Johnson asked similar questions to prospective jurors 31 and 59.
¶108 The State objected, arguing that “[w]hile [Johnson] can
ascertain whether going into a penalty phase . . . a juror may be leaning one
way or the other, that hypothetical is improper because it does not fully tell
the juror—and they can’t bait the juror into yes or no, without telling them
they have to consider mitigation.” The court agreed, finding the question
misleading. Nevertheless, the court allowed Johnson to ask the question as
a three-part question, with follow-up questions whether the juror could
apply the law as it pertained to finding an aggravating circumstance and
considering mitigation. Prospective jurors 9 and 31 answered “no,” that
they could not imagine a situation where the totality of someone’s character
could warrant mercy in such a scenario, while prospective juror 59
answered that she would lean towards the death penalty. Johnson then
moved to strike the three prospective jurors for cause. The court denied
Johnson’s motion, finding that the hypothetical posed was confusing and
misleading, and stated that the core question was whether the jurors could
be impartial at the beginning of the penalty phase, which the court believed
they could be.
¶109 “A juror who will automatically vote for the death penalty
without considering the presence of mitigating circumstances does not
meet th[e] threshold requirement of impartiality.” Velazquez, 216 Ariz. at
306–07 ¶ 18 (internal quotation marks omitted). But a prospective juror is
not precluded from serving on the jury simply because he favors the death
penalty. Id. at 307 ¶ 19. “[I]f the juror is willing to put aside his opinions
and base his decisions solely upon the evidence, he may serve.” Id. (citation
and internal quotation marks omitted).
¶110 Here, prospective jurors 9, 31, and 59 all stated they would
keep an open mind during the trial, could consider mitigation evidence,
and would not automatically vote for the death penalty. See Wainwright v.
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Opinion of the Court
Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 423 (1985) (requiring jurors to “conscientiously apply the
law and find the facts”). Further, prospective juror 31 answered that she
could responsibly and respectfully make a decision based on the facts of the
case, but only after she heard the case details and was provided evidence.
And prospective juror 59 added that even in the face of absolute guilt, she
would find sentencing the defendant to death to be difficult.
¶111 Though prospective jurors 9 and 31 answered that they could
not imagine a situation where the totality of the defendant’s character could
warrant mercy, they did so only after a misleading hypothetical that
presupposed guilt and an aggravating circumstance, omitted mitigation,
and risked implying that a death sentence was required. Indeed,
prospective juror 59 answered that she would lean towards the death
penalty but qualified that her answer was based on Johnson’s hypothetical.
The court was in the best position to observe the prospective jurors and
determine whether they were impaired. See Patterson, 230 Ariz. at 274 ¶ 14.
And the record does not indicate that prospective jurors 9, 31, or 59 were
substantially impaired or unable to perform their duties as jurors in
accordance with the instructions and oath such that denying Johnson’s
motion to strike was an abuse of discretion.
ii. Failure to strike prospective jurors 56, 154, and 294
¶112 Johnson next claims the court erred by refusing to strike
prospective jurors 56, 154, and 294 for cause. Johnson did not move to strike
prospective jurors 56 or 154, however, so we review Johnson’s challenge as
to them for fundamental error. See Velazquez, 216 Ariz. at 309 ¶ 37.
¶113 Section 21-211(2) and (4), A.R.S., provides that any person
who is “interested directly or indirectly in [a] matter” is disqualified from
sitting on a jury in that case, as are those who are “biased or prejudiced in
favor of or against either of the parties.” Further, Arizona Rule of Criminal
Procedure 18.4(b) provides that “[o]n motion or on its own, the court must
excuse a prospective juror or jurors from service in the case if there is a
reasonable ground to believe that the juror or jurors cannot render a fair
and impartial verdict.” See also State v. Moore, 222 Ariz. 1, 10 ¶ 38 (2009)
(stating a judge must remove a potential juror if that person’s “views may
‘prevent or substantially impair the performance of [the juror’s] duties’”
(alteration in original) (quoting Witt, 469 U.S. at 424)). However, a
“prospective juror need not be disqualified unless his opinion is
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Opinion of the Court
unqualified” or “fixed.” State v. Narten, 99 Ariz. 116, 122 (1965). And “a
juror’s assurances of impartiality need not be couched in absolute terms.”
State v. Hoskins, 199 Ariz. 127, 139 ¶ 37 (2000). “If a juror is willing to put
aside his opinions and base his decision solely upon the evidence, he may
serve.” State v. Martinez, 196 Ariz. 451, 459 ¶ 28 (2000) (citation omitted).
a. Prospective juror 56 (impaneled juror 1)
¶114 Johnson claims prospective juror 56 (hereinafter impaneled
juror 1) was predisposed in favor of the State and believed the State had
“godly authority.” But a review of juror 1’s responses does not indicate
bias. In his questionnaire, juror 1 stated he believed Arizona’s criminal laws
were generally appropriate and that he “believe[d] that the government has
the authority from God to uphold the law and to keep citizens safe.” When
asked whether he would accept the responsibility of serving on a death
sentence jury, juror 1 answered that God gave the authority to the State and
it was juror 1’s faith in God that allowed him to accept the responsibility.
¶115 None of his answers indicated that he believed God favored
the State or imposition of the death penalty. Rather, each of his answers
provided why he felt the death penalty could be imposed, as he wrote, “if
necessary.” Indeed, juror 1 stated that he neither opposed nor favored the
death penalty, was willing to follow the law as instructed, that “it would be
hard to have someone’s life in [his] hands, but [he] could be impartial,” he
would keep an open mind, and that he would not automatically vote for
the death penalty without considering the evidence.
b. Prospective juror 154 (impaneled juror 8)
¶116 Johnson claims prospective juror 154 (hereinafter impaneled
juror 8) had a strong, pro-law enforcement bias and was more likely to
believe police officers. In his questionnaire, juror 8 disclosed that he had a
friend in the Phoenix Police Department and answered that he had
favorable experiences with law enforcement because he “work[ed] with law
enforcement at [his] church.” However, juror 8 answered that he would
follow Arizona law requiring him to give no greater or lesser weight to a
law enforcement officer’s testimony, stated he would keep an open mind,
and would follow the law as instructed.
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Opinion of the Court
¶117 During follow-up questioning, Johnson asked whether juror
8 would lean towards believing law enforcement based on his relationships.
Juror 8 responded, “You know, I’ll be honest. I want to say no that I
wouldn’t, but I would do my best not to.” When asked again whether his
close relationship with law enforcement would prevent him from
impartially judging the credibility of law enforcement officers, juror 8
answered “no.” Only when Johnson pushed further, asking “in [juror 8’s]
heart of hearts” whether it was not a “no” but a “maybe,” did juror 8 state
that though he would do his best to check his prejudices, he would be lying
if he said it was a definite no, and that his close friendship with a “good”
officer might cause him to give other officers the benefit of the doubt.
¶118 But juror 8 also stated that he would do his best to check any
prejudice or bias, and repeatedly answered that he would follow the
instructions and law. Subsequently, juror 8 stated that he would not believe
every word an officer said just because of his or her title but instead would
look at what was being said and determine on his own whether it made
sense to him. Taken as a whole, juror 8’s answers do not evidence a pro-
law enforcement bias or inability on his part to be impartial. See State v.
Clabourne, 142 Ariz. 335, 344 (1984) (finding no bias, and thus no error,
where, though a juror had acquaintances with members of law
enforcement, all jurors stated they would view the evidence fairly).
c. Prospective juror 294 (impaneled juror 12)
¶119 Johnson argues that prospective juror 294 (hereinafter
impaneled juror 12) was biased because she voiced strong feelings
regarding victims’ rights and had a friend who suffered domestic violence.
On her questionnaire, juror 12 revealed that a good friend had been the
victim of domestic violence and that her view of the criminal justice system
was negatively affected because restraining orders did not seem to work.
However, in the very next question, she answered that those views would
not impact her ability to be fair and impartial in the case. And as with jurors
1 and 8, juror 12 responded that she would keep an open mind during each
phase of the trial.
¶120 During follow-up, Johnson asked juror 12 to clarify her
questionnaire statement that she was “a strong believer in victim’s rights.”
Juror 12 said that while she regularly heard about the rights of the accused,
she rarely hears about the possible horror the victim might have gone
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Opinion of the Court
through and would be interested in hearing that. When asked whether
hearing victim impact testimony would sway her, juror 12 answered that
she did not know how it would affect her but stated she “would try very
hard to be open minded, and strong and impartial.” Upon further
questioning by the court, juror 12 answered that she could set aside any
feelings and be fair and impartial.
¶121 Jurors 1, 8, and 12 all answered that they could be fair and
impartial, and none of their colloquies indicate otherwise. The court did
not abuse its discretion in failing to strike them for cause. See State v. Tison,
129 Ariz. 526, 533 (1981) (“Without a showing of unqualified partiality of
the juror, we will not upset a determination so clearly within the province
of the [trial] court.”).
N. Motion to Strike Juror 6
¶122 Johnson argues the court erred by denying his motion to
strike impaneled juror 6 for cause. Again, we review the court’s denial for
an abuse of discretion. See Lynch I, 238 Ariz. at 105 ¶ 71.
¶123 During the trial, Johnson moved to disqualify juror 6 because
the juror’s daughter had been the victim in an unrelated case arising in
February 2016, and Johnson argued this would bias juror 6 in favor of the
prosecution. Juror 6 said she had only learned of the incident involving her
daughter months after completing the juror questionnaire.
¶124 Rule 18.4(b) requires dismissal of “jurors who cannot render
a fair and impartial verdict,” Eddington, 228 Ariz. at 363 ¶ 7, while § 21-
211(2), (3), and (4) bar jurors who are interested in the matter or “biased or
prejudiced in favor of or against either of the parties.” Johnson argues that
juror 6’s daughter becoming a victim in another case biased juror 6 in favor
of the State. We disagree.
¶125 In Eddington, we held that “a peace officer currently employed
by the law enforcement agency that investigated the case [was] an
‘interested person’ who [was] disqualified from sitting as a juror,”
regardless whether he believed he could be impartial. 228 Ariz. at 365 ¶ 18.
There, the officer was an “interested person” due to his working
relationship with his law enforcement employer, and by extension, the
prosecution. Here, no such relationship exists.
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Opinion of the Court
¶126 Even though a juror may have an experience with law
enforcement or a victim of a crime, such experience alone is not
disqualifying. See, e.g., Hoskins, 199 Ariz. at 139 ¶ 40, 141 ¶ 48 (affirming
refusal to disqualify juror who had once been the victim of an armed
robbery). Upon further questioning, juror 6 answered that she would be
fair and impartial, that her daughter’s incident had nothing to do with
Johnson’s case, and that she was “100 percent here.” The court found her
answers appropriate, candid, and credible, leaving the court confident that
she could serve. The law requires nothing more. See id. at 141 ¶ 48. No
abuse of discretion occurred.
O. Arizona Rule of Evidence 106
¶127 Johnson argues the court erred during trial by limiting
questioning and giving Arizona Rule of Evidence 106 preclusive effect. We
review the trial court’s evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion but
review de novo the court’s interpretation of the Arizona Rules of Evidence.
State v. Steinle, 239 Ariz. 415, 417 ¶ 6 (2016).
¶128 Rule 106, the rule of completeness, provides that “[i]f a party
introduces all or part of a writing or recorded statement, an adverse party
may require the introduction, at that time, of any other part—or any other
writing or recorded statement—that in fairness ought to be considered at
the same time.” It is thus “a rule of inclusion rather than exclusion.” Steinle,
239 Ariz. at 418 ¶ 10. Johnson argues that the court incorrectly relied on
Rule 106 to limit Johnson’s cross-examination of Ms. Legg—the DNA
technician—as well as his examination of mitigation witness Jonathan W.
¶129 First, the State objected to Johnson’s cross-examination of Ms.
Legg. Johnson sought to impeach Ms. Legg by introducing evidence of lab
errors. Although the court at one point stated the objection was on Rule 106
grounds, the State’s objections focused on lack of foundation and relevance:
Johnson failed to cite which records he was relying on and attempted to
impeach Ms. Legg by introducing evidence of lab errors in unrelated cases.
Regardless, the court allowed Johnson to cross-examine Ms. Legg on each
of his proffered grounds, so no exclusion of evidence occurred. There was
no error.
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Opinion of the Court
¶130 Second, the State objected, citing Rule 106, to Johnson’s
introduction of an incomplete statement that Johnson’s DNA could neither
be included nor excluded from the zip ties found binding the victim.
During cross-examination of Ms. Legg, Johnson asked whether she had
emailed Detective Denning telling him that Johnson was not a match. The
State objected and argued that Ms. Legg’s full statement was that “[i]t [was]
not possible to include or exclude . . . Johnson.” The trial court correctly
sustained the State’s objection. And though Johnson claims error, he
received the answer he wanted: that the test was inconclusive, and that
Johnson could not definitively be considered a “match.”
¶131 Third, the State objected during Johnson’s examination of
family friend Jonathan W. Johnson asked Jonathan whether he thought
Johnson “was the type of person that is open to growth and change,” based
on a letter Jonathan had written on Johnson’s behalf. The State objected,
citing Rule 106, argued that Johnson was picking and choosing words from
the letter, and asked that it be allowed to re-cross Jonathan if the court
allowed Johnson to continue. The court sustained the State’s objection.
Rule 106 arguably applied, but the court allowed Johnson to continue
asking Jonathan about his opinion, so even if its decision was wrong, no
harm resulted.
¶132 Johnson argues the court improperly gave Rule 106
exclusionary effect, in that he believes the court precluded him from
introducing evidence on Rule 106 grounds. Johnson’s argument borders on
the frivolous: in each instance, the court allowed Johnson to introduce the
evidence he sought. No error occurred.
P. Prosecutorial Misconduct
¶133 Johnson argues his conviction was tainted by prosecutorial
misconduct. We review claims of prosecutorial misconduct by assessing
each claim independently. Acuna Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. at 216 ¶ 66. If
Johnson objected, we review the purported misconduct for harmless error;
if he failed to object, we review for fundamental error only. Id. “After
determining which claims constitute error,” we consider whether their
cumulative effect resulted in an unfair trial. Id. (quoting State v. Hulsey, 243
Ariz. 367, 388 ¶ 88 (2018)). “To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial
misconduct, a defendant must demonstrate that the prosecutor’s
misconduct so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting
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Opinion of the Court
conviction a denial of due process.” Id. (quoting State v. Martinez, 230 Ariz.
208, 214 ¶ 24 (2012)).
i. DNA evidence
¶134 During the trial, the State produced evidence that officers
found fourteen zip ties left behind at Taiwan Massage in addition to the
pair of zip ties found binding the victim. Ms. Legg testified that Johnson’s
DNA matched DNA left on the fourteen zip ties in at least ten of sixteen
allele locations and that his DNA was found at the other allele locations but
at insufficient levels to contribute to a result. Ms. Legg testified that the
random match probability of the result was one in 600 trillion Caucasians,
one in 3.40 quadrillion Southwestern Hispanics, and one in 145 quadrillion
African-Americans. While Korean statistics were not used, Ms. Legg
testified that the random match probability was generated based on the
expected population in a given area—here, Mesa, Arizona—so the
inclusion of any Asian statistics would have likely only increased the rarity
of a match. As to the zip ties found binding the victim, Ms. Legg testified
that Johnson’s DNA profile was present at between four and five allele
locations, so his DNA could be included, but that there was not enough
DNA present at enough allele locations to establish Johnson as a “match.”
¶135 During closing, the State argued that Johnson’s DNA was on
the zip ties found binding the victim, stating this his “DNA remains [at] up
to five locations” and that his “DNA is there.” During rebuttal closing, the
State further argued, in response to Johnson’s defense that his DNA was
not on the zip ties, that “[h]is DNA is on those zip ties . . . . He’s there
between four and five loci. He’s just not there enough to call and he’s there
on the zip ties, not just at 10 locations.” Johnson objected that the
prosecutor’s closing misstated the evidence but was overruled.
¶136 Johnson argues the State’s closing argument was improper
because it misstated the strength of the DNA evidence, citing Duncan v.
Commonwealth, 322 S.W.3d 81, 91–92 (Ky. 2010). But in Duncan, the court
only concluded the state’s argument—that “not excluded” meant
“included” and that the defendant’s DNA was a “match”—was improper
because there was no scientifically valid estimate of the probability that
alleles would match. Id. Thus, by asking the jury to infer on the basis of the
expert’s testimony that the defendant was the source of the DNA, “the
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Opinion of the Court
prosecutor sought to wring from that testimony a conclusion it could not
reasonably yield.” Id. at 92.
¶137 Here, Johnson’s argument borders on frivolous. The evidence
showed that Johnson “matched” the DNA found on the fourteen zip ties
left at Taiwan Massage and that Johnson’s DNA profile was consistent with
the zip ties found on the victim at between four and five allele locations.
The State did not use the word “match” to link Johnson’s DNA to the ties
found binding Fu, and its comment that Johnson’s DNA “is there” was
nothing more than a reasonable argument based on the evidence. Further,
because the State itself emphasized during closing that Ms. Legg wrote in
an email to Detective Denning that Johnson could neither be included nor
excluded, the jury knew the State was arguing a reasonable inference and
not mispresenting a determined fact. Contrast id. at 91–92. There was no
misconduct.
ii. Withholding evidence
¶138 Johnson argues the State violated its Rule 15 disclosure
obligations, in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), based on
the State’s 2012 failure to timely disclose supplemental police reports and a
letter purportedly written by Johnson.
¶139 Under Brady, the State must disclose all material, exculpatory
evidence. 373 U.S. at 87. But though the State’s failure to timely disclose
the police reports and letter constituted a late disclosure violation, the late
disclosure did not result in the suppression of favorable evidence, and thus
no Brady violation occurred. See United States v. Walters, 351 F.3d 159, 169
(5th Cir. 2003) (finding no Brady violation where the defendant received
evidence four weeks before trial and “had almost a month after the
government disclosed” it to investigate the material and “put it to effective
use at trial” (internal quotation marks omitted)). The disclosure dispute
occurred nearly four years before trial and Johnson admitted that no
prejudice resulted.
iii. Comment on Columbine evidence and Johnson’s allocution
¶140 Johnson argues the State misled the jury into believing that
the lack of evidence regarding Columbine and Johnson’s allocution proved
Johnson was neither affected by Columbine nor sorry for his actions, where
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
the State had successfully precluded such evidence before trial. Johnson
further argues the State improperly commented on the invocation of his
right to remain silent. Johnson did not object at trial.
¶141 At the close of mitigation, Johnson presented his allocution,
stating:
I’m very sorry for killing Ms. Fu. It was senseless and
horrible. You have heard the mitigating factors of my life that
my attorneys feel is relevant in bringing me to this point in
my life. I would have pled guilty to this first-degree murder
as early as March of 2012.
¶142 The State responded, relying on evidence adduced at trial,
and argued that “[Johnson] didn’t touch on the tremendous harm and
suffering and pain. . . . He didn’t care at the time he murdered [the victim]
after dragging her into the back room, whether she was a mother or that he
would absolutely destroy a family. He certainly never told you
that. . . . Instead, when he talks about this crime, he asks about a book
deal. . . . [H]e laughed when he was talking to Dr. DeMarte, both about the
murder and the armed robbery. . . . How much sympathy did the
defendant show any of his victims at any time[?]” The State further argued
that Johnson “didn’t address a single factor in his life” but “told [the jury]
that the mitigation [it was] presented . . . [is] what his attorneys believe [is]
what brought the defendant to that point in his life,” and that, as it related
to Columbine, “[n]ever once, ever, other than the mention of [his friend]
Steven, did [the jury] ever hear any statement made by the defendant . . .
about feeling bad for the murdered classmates, or teachers or the
wounded.”
¶143 Johnson argues that it is improper for the State to take unfair
advantage of the court’s evidentiary rulings, citing People v. Daggett, 225
Cal. App. 3d 751, 758 (1990). Daggett is inapposite. There the trial court
erroneously precluded relevant information—that the child molestation
victim, who was himself accused in an unrelated case of molesting other
children, had been molested by other children in the past—and this error
was compounded by the prosecutor’s argument during closing that the
victim had learned the inappropriate behavior from being molested by the
defendant. Id. at 754–57.
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶144 Here, the prerequisite error is missing. The court correctly
precluded irrelevant Columbine evidence. See supra ¶¶ 68–69, 81. And as
to his allocution, neither the court nor the State prevented Johnson from
allocuting; the State argued that it had the right to rebut Johnson’s
allocution should he claim remorse. See State v. Goudeau, 239 Ariz. 421, 468
¶¶ 207–09 (2016).
¶145 As to his claim that the State improperly commented on the
invocation of his right to remain silent, the State’s comments came in
response to his allocution, see id. (finding no improper comment on the
defendant’s Fifth Amendment right where the prosecutor’s comments
came in response to the defendant’s allocution), and were based on
evidence in the record, see State v. Anderson, 210 Ariz. 327, 350 ¶ 97 (2005)
(allowing the prosecutor to comment that evidence was “not particularly
relevant” or “entitled to little weight”). The State’s Columbine comments
followed its argument that although Johnson presented a large portion of
evidence regarding the Columbine shooting, no mitigation witness could
testify that Johnson expressed remorse for the Columbine victims. Instead,
the State argued, the evidence showed that Johnson felt sympathy for the
shooters because they were bullied. No misconduct occurred.
iv. Misstating the law
¶146 Johnson argues the State misstated the law by arguing that
the jurors had to find one mitigating circumstance was alone sufficient to
warrant leniency, where mitigation is correctly considered in the aggregate.
Johnson bases his argument on a statement in the State’s closing:
What value, what import, what importance, what weight, if
any, do you give to a fact you believe was proven? Does it
reduce the defendant’s moral culpability, his
blameworthiness for the murder? And, finally, is it
sufficiently substantial—is it proven and sufficiently
substantial to call for leniency?
¶147 But the entirety of the State’s closing argument shows no
misconduct occurred. The State correctly reiterated that the jurors “must
decide how compelling or persuasive the totality of the mitigating factors
are against the totality of the aggravating factors.” The State’s comment
was only an argument that, as to each of Johnson’s ten proffered mitigating
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
circumstances, the jurors should evaluate each one to determine whether it
was proven by a preponderance of the evidence and whether it truly related
to an aspect of Johnson’s background, character, propensities, record or
circumstance of the offense. The State never argued that the jurors were
limited to considering one mitigating factor to the exclusion of others or
that Johnson had to prove that any single mitigating factor was sufficiently
substantial on its own to warrant leniency.
v. Shifting the burden of proof
¶148 Johnson argues the State shifted the burden of proof to
Johnson to submit evidence and prove his innocence. During the guilt
phase closing argument, the State argued in rebuttal:
The physical evidence in this case does not have a motive or
a reason to lie. And the plain and simple matter is that if what
the defense is arguing to you is true there would be evidence
to support those claims and there’s an overwhelming lack of
any evidence that anyone, other than the defendant,
committed these crimes. This was a thorough and complete
investigation regardless of the attacks you just heard.
Johnson did not object.
¶149 Due process requires the State to prove every element of a
charged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364
(1970). The State improperly shifts the burden when it implies a duty upon
the defendant to prove his innocence or the negation of an element, see State
v. Corona, 188 Ariz. 85, 91 (App. 1997), and otherwise errs when it comments
upon the failure of a defendant to testify or present a defense, see State v.
Still, 119 Ariz. 549, 551 (1978). However, “[a] comment that certain facts
brought out by the prosecution are uncontradicted is not objectionable.”
Still, 119 Ariz. at 551.
¶150 The entirety of the State’s rebuttal closing argument was that,
while Johnson argued in closing that the State did not prove that he
committed the crime, “[Johnson] just did not count on the phone evidence,
the DNA evidence, and those cell phone towers we know now he drove by
going to the scene, while waiting at the scene, and running away, driving
away from the scene.” Further, the State did not argue unprompted that
45
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
Johnson failed to show someone else committed the murder. During his
closing, Johnson argued the investigation was inadequate and inferred that
someone else committed the crime even though he never noticed a third-
party defense. The State objected. Cf. State v. Acosta, 101 Ariz. 127, 129
(1966) (“The general context of the argument surrounding the statements
complained of was not to allude to defendant’s failure to testify, but rather
to bring home the point that the evidence was, at least in the view of counsel
for the state, uncontroverted, and justified a verdict of guilt.”). No
misconduct occurred.
vi. Impugning the integrity of defense counsel
¶151 Johnson argues the State repeatedly impugned the integrity
of defense counsel. Johnson fails to develop his argument, however, and so
we find it waived. Bolton, 182 Ariz. at 298. Regardless, we note that the
comments Johnson cites were either made in response to defense theories,
mischaracterized in Johnson’s briefing, or occurred outside the presence of
the jury. See Acuna Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. at 220 ¶ 93 (“[R]eferring to defense
evidence as ‘myth’ or ‘fanciful’ and attacking defense theories [is]
permissible, so long as it is directed at defense theories rather than defense
counsel.”) (internal quotation marks omitted)).
vii. Arguing inferences and conclusions during openings
¶152 Johnson argues the State improperly argued inferences and
conclusions during opening. “Opening statement is counsel’s opportunity
to tell the jury what evidence they intend to introduce. [It] is not a time to
argue the inferences and conclusions that may be drawn from evidence not
yet admitted.” Bible, 175 Ariz. at 602 (citation omitted).
¶153 During the guilt phase opening, Johnson claims the State
improperly focused on the victim’s family’s use of an interpreter by stating
“their home language . . . is what is comfortable and safe . . . [a]s they listen
to these horrific details of the murder.” Johnson argues this opening
comment was paired with the State’s request during closing that the jury
remember “how [the family] appeared in front of [them] heartbroken and
the difficulties they encountered . . . trying to put into words in a language
with letters and symbols we don’t understand, with the use of an
interpreter[, t]he enormity of this loss, their grief, funneled through the
interpreter.”
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶154 Johnson also argues the State impermissibly implied that the
crime included deliberation, a conclusion, during its opening by arguing
that Johnson took “the time effort and deliberation” to commit the murder.
Again, Johnson timely objected.
¶155 As to the first statements, the prosecutor’s comments were not
improper, but even if they were, any error was harmless. The jury was
repeatedly instructed that the lawyer’s arguments were not evidence and
the jurors were able to judge for themselves the manner in which the family
spoke and the murder’s effect on them. See State v. Newell, 212 Ariz. 389, 403
¶ 68 (2006) (stating “[w]e presume that . . . jurors follow[] the court’s
instructions”).
¶156 As to the second statement, the prosecutor’s comment was a
conclusion drawn from the facts and thus improper argument in opening
remarks. But again, the error was harmless. The jury was instructed that
the lawyer’s arguments were not evidence. Id. And “[w]hile[] the comment
during opening statement was improper at that point, it was a reasonable
inference from evidence later introduced and would have been proper
during closing argument.” Bible, 175 Ariz. at 602.
viii. Vouching
¶157 Johnson argues the State engaged in vouching. “Two general
forms of prosecutorial vouching exist: (1) when ‘the prosecutor places the
prestige of the government behind its witness’; or (2) when ‘the prosecutor
suggests that information not presented to the jury supports the witness’s
testimony.’” Acuna Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. at 217 ¶ 75 (quoting State v.
Vincent, 159 Ariz. 418, 423 (1989)). “Placing the prestige of the state behind
its witness ‘involves personal assurances of a witness’s veracity,’ while
‘[t]he second type of vouching involves prosecutorial remarks that bolster
a witness’s credibility by reference to matters outside the record.’” Acuna
Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. at 217 ¶ 75 (alteration in original) (quoting State v. King,
180 Ariz. 268, 277 (1994)).
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
a. The prestige of the government
¶158 Johnson first argues that the State placed the weight of the
government behind the witnesses by arguing that the victim’s daughter
testified with “wisdom beyond her years” and that her husband “stood
before you and told you how his family suffered a profound loss” which
was “the measure of a man.” Johnson did not object.
¶159 But these statements, taken in the context of closing
argument, do not establish vouching. Neither statement placed the weight
of the government behind a witness by providing personal assurances of a
witness’s veracity, cf. Vincent, 159 Ariz. at 423 (where the prosecutor argued
that “the State wouldn’t have put Mr. Calaway on the witness stand if [it]
didn’t believe every word out of his mouth”), nor did the statements imply
that the jury should find them more credible because they were State
witnesses, see Acuna Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. at 217 ¶ 75 (stating that vouching
of this kind “involves personal assurances of a witness’s veracity” (quoting
King, 180 Ariz. at 277)).
¶160 Johnson also claims the prosecutor improperly vouched by
placing the weight of the government behind herself during arguments to
the court, by avowing that she “probably touched those pages more times
than the defense,” by arguing that she was “so detailed” and “so prepared”
for her interviews, and by stating her “office’s position” on certain issues—
“Judge, our office’s position is that the . . . State shouldn’t be in a position
to come up with it just because the State disagrees.” But reviewing the
record, we do not find that the State’s arguments to the court regarding its
position on a disputed matter constitute vouching. And further, we note
that each cited argument was made outside the presence of the jury. 3
b. Facts not in evidence
¶161 Johnson next argues the State vouched by implying that facts
not in evidence supported the State’s desired verdict. First, Johnson argues
3 Johnson argues, for the first time in his reply brief, that the State
improperly vouched by using “we know” statements. See Acuna Valenzuela,
245 Ariz. at 218 ¶ 85. Because Johnson did not raise the issue in his opening
brief, we do not consider it. State v. Cannon, 148 Ariz. 72, 79 (1985).
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
the State improperly vouched by implying that the judicial system already
dismissed Johnson’s claim of innocence:
You would have to believe this man is the unluckiest man on
the face of the planet if you’re to buy he was just merely
present. You would also have to think the last four weeks of
your life were an absolute waste because he just happened to
be there. It’s not a coincidence. It’s not dumb, bad luck.
Everything you’ve heard, everything the state has shown you
is evidence of the defendant’s guilt.
Johnson did not object.
¶162 The State’s comment was based on evidence in the record and
did not imply that facts not in evidence supported the State’s desired
verdict. Cf. State v. Leon, 190 Ariz. 159, 161–62 (1997) (where the prosecutor
argued that the jury was “not going to have the inside information as to
what occurred”). Neither was the State’s comment isolated nor
unprompted. Rather, the State’s comment came in response to Johnson’s
cross-examination that attempted to portray Johnson as an unlucky,
innocent bystander. To the extent the comment that “[y]ou would also have
to think the last four weeks of your life were an absolute waste because he
just happened to be there” was improper, any error was harmless, as the
jury was properly instructed that the law presumed Johnson to be innocent
and the jury “must not think that the defendant is guilty just because of a
charge.”
¶163 Johnson next claims the State improperly vouched by
referencing the victim’s family’s use of an interpreter, as discussed above.
See supra ¶¶ 153, 155. But just as the comments did not suggest the family
was more credible because the State believed them, neither did they bolster
the family’s credibility by reference to something other than the facts in the
record. No misconduct occurred.
ix. Appealing to fears and sympathy
¶164 Johnson claims the State improperly played to the jury’s fears
and sympathies. During its guilt phase closing argument, the State argued
the following:
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
These were the last injuries inflicted, completely, totally
without a doubt unnecessary. Completely. Completely.
Completely unnecessary. As she was dying, as her heart no
longer could beat, as her lungs could no longer fill with air,
he’s carving into her stomach.
....
If the defendant did nothing wrong or was just simply at the
wrong place at the wrong time, why the lies and why the
nature that little cutting mocking humor, but then again this
is the same man who within an hour of leaving [Fu] tucked
away in that back room could eat dinner with [his girlfriend]
and spend part of the evening with his parents.
....
The killer is the defendant and he killed with premeditation.
He killed with deliberation. He killed after thinking about it
and he killed after he could have stopped and he killed
because he wanted to and then he carved into her body
because he wanted to.
Johnson did not object.
¶165 “Attorneys, including prosecutors in criminal cases, are given
wide latitude in their closing arguments to the jury.” State v. Comer, 165
Ariz. 413, 426 (1990). Within that wide latitude, the State “may comment
on the vicious and inhuman nature of the defendant’s acts.” Id. The State
may not, however, make arguments which appeal to the passions, fears, or
prejudices of the jury. Id. at 426–27.
¶166 The arguments here were not an appeal to fear, as the State
made no argument that, in the absence of a guilty verdict, Johnson would
pose a future danger. Instead, the arguments were directed at how terrible
the murder was. To the extent the argument should have been reserved for
the aggravation phase of the trial and went to the (F)(6) aggravator, any
impropriety in the guilt phase closing was harmless. The comments did
not have the effect of encouraging the jury to convict on a basis other than
the evidence and the elements of the offense. Further, as in Escalante-
Orozco, the comments were fleeting and unconnected, and the jury was
instructed that the lawyer’s comments were not evidence and that they
50
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
were “not [to] be influenced by sympathy.” 241 Ariz. at 282 ¶ 102
(alteration in original). The comments were “not of such magnitude to
deprive [Johnson] of a fair trial” during either the guilt phase or the
aggravation phase. Id. (citation omitted).
x. Encouraging the jury to use the verdict to send a message
¶167 Johnson argues the State improperly encouraged the jury to
use its verdict to send a message. During her penalty phase closing
argument, the prosecutor argued:
Someone much smarter than I am gave a quote that a society
declares its attitude toward crime by the punishment it exacts.
We express how we feel about crime by the punishment we
impose.
Another simple, less artful way to say this is that the
punishment should fit the crime. And should reflect the
horror, the disgust, that all of you must have felt as these days
in trial unfolded and you saw the full extent of what this man
has been capable—capable of in his life.
¶168 The prosecutor further argued later in closing that:
The death penalty is such an expression of moral outrage for
crimes that some people choose to commit. Our society has a
death penalty because we have a right to express our moral
outrage for such behavior, and because you have a right to
demand where does personal responsibility fit in? Because
the exaggerations, the blame, and the excuses, and the lies are
all going to stop now.
Johnson did not object to either comment.
¶169 But the State did not ask the jury to send a message to the
community. Cf. United States v. Runyon, 707 F.3d 475, 514–15 (4th Cir. 2013)
(“Whereas reminding the jury that it ‘express[es] the conscience of the
community’ nevertheless maintains a proper focus on the defendant (since
any ‘expression’ is directed at the defendant alone), urging it to ‘send a
message to the community’ invites it to play to an audience beyond the
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
defendant” and “to use its decision . . . to serve some larger social objective,”
which “is at least in tension with the individualized assessment of the
defendant’s culpability that the Constitution requires.”) (alteration in
original; Sinisterra v. United States, 600 F.3d 900, 910–11 (8th Cir. 2010)
(finding error where the prosecutor linked the defendant’s charges to the
broader drug problem, told the jury to act as the “conscience of the
community,” and asked the jury to send a message with its verdict)). The
State focused its argument on Johnson and argued that “the punishment
should . . . fit the defendant, the criminal, in addition to fitting the crime.”
xi. Improperly seeking to inflame the jury
¶170 Johnson argues the State committed misconduct by
attempting to inflame the jury, by arguing the murder was “grotesque,”
“brutal,” “bizarre,” “horrific,” and “violent,” and by using the following
adjectives to describe Johnson’s actions: “severely,” “terribly,” “vicious,”
and “ceremoniously.”
¶171 Johnson claims that during its mitigation phase opening
statements, the State further attempted to inflame and taint the jury by
arguing that Johnson’s mitigation witnesses had “bias,” “motive,” and
maybe even “an agenda.”
¶172 Finally, Johnson claims the State, during its closing argument,
improperly tarnished the defense and its witnesses by telling the jury:
The problem with all of the evidence [Johnson] wants and
needs you to believe is that a lot of it is simply just not true,
was just not proven, or is exaggerated, or is presented in such
a way to make you feel responsible that the defendant is now
found guilty of first-degree murder with circumstances, those
three [aggravators] that you found, that made the defendant
eligible for the death penalty.
The bottom line is that the mitigation presented is not
sufficiently substantial to justify leniency in this case.
Johnson never objected.
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
¶173 The State certainly used strong language during opening
statements to describe the murder, but the evidence would later indicate
that the murder was violent and brutal. See State v. Phillips, 202 Ariz. 427,
437 ¶ 47 (2002) (finding no impropriety in the prosecutor’s opening
statement that defendant’s actions were “terrorizing,” that he appeared
“outraged, beyond control, and absolutely terrifying,” and that the victims
were “cowering, hiding, and praying to God Almighty” because those
remarks were based on the evidence), superseded by statute on other grounds
as recognized in State v. Carlson, 237 Ariz. 381 (2015).
¶174 The State’s warning of “bias” and “motive” addressed the
credibility of Johnson’s witnesses and responded to Johnson’s attempt to
bolster his mitigation witnesses’ credibility. During Johnson’s opening, he
stated:
Ladies and gentlemen, you’re going to hear from [Johnson’s]
friends, family, former classmates. We all know they’re going
to be put in an uncomfortable seat as witnesses . . . . They’re
not professional witnesses . . . .
....
They’re certainly not going to be as polished as some of those
other witnesses that you heard . . . .
....
They’re going to be subject to cross-examination, too. And
like all witnesses, you have to consider their credibility; but
again, consider their situation. They’re here because they love
[Johnson]. . . . Decide their credibility, but these folks are
coming from a good place to come and testify for [Johnson],
and they didn’t do anything wrong.
The State’s comments were not improper.
¶175 Nor were the State’s final comments, supra ¶ 172, an attempt
to appeal to the jurors’ emotions by telling them the defense was trying to
make them feel guilty about their decisions. Even if the comments could be
read to represent an attack on the defense, see Hulsey, 243 Ariz. at 390 ¶¶ 98–
99, they were minor and couched in the State’s argument that the jury was
to impose the death penalty if it did not find mitigation sufficiently
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
substantial to call for leniency. On this record, we cannot say that any of
these statements affected the jury’s verdict or deprived Johnson of a fair
trial, especially in light of the jury instructions that counsel’s arguments
were not evidence.
xii. Cumulative effect
¶176 Johnson argues the State repeatedly used improper
arguments to obtain a conviction and death sentence and that the
cumulative impact of its misconduct deprived him of due process. See
Acuna Valenzuela, 245 Ariz. at 223 ¶ 118. But “[c]umulative error requires
reversal only when misconduct is ‘so pronounced and persistent that it
permeate[s] the entire atmosphere of the trial, indicating that the prosecutor
intentionally engaged in improper conduct and did so with indifference, if
not a specific intent, to prejudice the defendant.’” Id. at 224 ¶ 119 (quoting
State v. Payne, 233 Ariz. 484, 515 ¶ 134 (2013)).
¶177 Here, the record does not support Johnson’s claim. Johnson
rarely objected and ignores that several of the purported improper
comments occurred outside the presence of the jury during argument to the
court. Indeed, the record reveals only a few minor instances of misconduct
relating to improper inferences during opening statements. Accordingly,
Johnson has failed to show the allegations so infected his trial as to deprive
him due process.
Q. Motion to Change Counsel
¶178 Johnson argues the court improperly denied his two motions
to change counsel. We review the court’s denial of a request for new
counsel for an abuse of discretion. State v. Cromwell, 211 Ariz. 181, 186 ¶ 27
(2005).
¶179 “A criminal defendant has a Sixth Amendment right to
representation by competent counsel.” Id. ¶ 28; see also U.S. Const. amend.
VI. “The presence of an irreconcilable conflict or a completely fractured
relationship between counsel and the accused ordinarily requires the
appointment of new counsel.” Id. ¶ 29. However, “single allegation[s] of
lost confidence,” “disagreements over defense strategies,” or other conflicts
“less than irreconcilable” do not necessarily require the appointment of
new counsel. Id. Rather, “[t]o constitute a colorable claim, a defendant’s
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
allegations must go beyond personality conflicts or disagreements”; the
defendant instead bears the burden to demonstrate “facts sufficient to
support a belief that an irreconcilable conflict exists warranting the
appointment of new counsel in order to avoid the clear prospect of an unfair
trial.” Id. at 187 ¶ 30.
i. Johnson’s 2015 motion to change counsel
¶180 In September 2015, Johnson filed a motion to change counsel
and asked that “any competent lawyer” be substituted for all future
proceedings. Johnson complained that (1) he wanted to see every motion
defense counsel had filed on his behalf, but his lawyers had not sent them;
(2) he had not seen the most recent “plea proposal” and that his lawyers
included information in the proposals over his objection; (3) his lawyers
had not filed motions that other capital defendants had filed in their cases;
and (4) his lawyers had not given him copies of his mental health reports.
¶181 Johnson’s lawyers explained that they had not sent the mental
health records to the prison for confidentiality reasons and that they had
not sent a copy of every motion filed because the agency did not have the
staff to send him five years’ worth of information at the time. His lawyers
assured the court that they had filed all appropriate motions on Johnson’s
behalf and spoke with Johnson “on a regular basis.” His lawyers denied
that there was an irreconcilable conflict but acknowledged that if Johnson
refused to cooperate in the future or insisted on inappropriate trial
strategies, then one could develop.
¶182 The court informed Johnson that it found his lawyers were
thorough, prepared, and diligent. The court further praised how
consistently prepared Johnson’s lawyers were, despite complex issues, and
how well they had worked with opposing counsel. The court denied
Johnson’s motion, advised Johnson that he would be disadvantaged by a
change of counsel because his current counsel had firsthand knowledge of
all aspects of his case, and recommended that Johnson cooperate with his
counsel.
¶183 Johnson has not met his burden to show that an irreconcilable
conflict existed. Johnson’s disagreements in his 2015 motion were minor,
and his attorneys regularly contacted him. Cf. State v. Gomez, 231 Ariz. 219,
224 ¶ 20, 225–26 ¶ 29 (2012) (concluding trial court did not err in denying
55
STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
motion for change of counsel where defendant alleged that defense counsel
had not visited him in more than a year and had not devoted enough time
to prepare for the case). And though defense counsel noted there were
some frustrations, counsel advised the court that they could continue to
work together. The court was in the best position to consider the evidence
of a conflict, found it insufficient, and so do we. See Cromwell, 211 Ariz. at
187 ¶ 35 (stating that the denial of the motion for change of counsel is
discretionary and finding no abuse of discretion).
¶184 Nevertheless, Johnson argues the court erred by failing to
consider the State v. LaGrand factors. See 152 Ariz. 483, 486–87 (1987)
(stating that the court should consider “whether new counsel would be
confronted with the same conflict; the timing of the motion; inconvenience
to witnesses; the time period already elapsed between the alleged offense
and trial; the proclivity of the defendant to change counsel; and quality of
counsel”).
¶185 But “[t]he nature of the inquiry will depend upon the nature
of the defendant’s request.” State v. Torres, 208 Ariz. 340, 343 ¶ 8 (2004).
And in the grand scheme, the “request for new counsel should be examined
with the rights and interest of the defendant in mind tempered by
exigencies of judicial economy.” LaGrand, 152 Ariz. at 486.
¶186 Johnson argues the court erred by focusing on his counsel’s
competence, citing Torres, 208 Ariz. at 344 ¶ 15 (stating that “in most cases,
. . .‘quality of counsel’” will not be a factor to consider when defendant
requests substitution of counsel), but Johnson’s complaints regarding the
motions his lawyers were filing on his behalf necessarily concern the
adequacy of counsel and whether they were properly representing his
interests. As the court recognized, nothing in the record indicated they
were not.
¶187 As to the other LaGrand factors, “although the trial court could
have engaged in a more searching exploration” of Johnson’s claims and
counsel’s responses, “the court did not abuse its discretion because it
sufficiently inquired into the purported [breakdown.]” State v. Champagne,
No. CR 17-0425, 2019 WL 3676317, at *3 ¶ 13 (Ariz. Aug. 7, 2019) (alteration
omitted) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). The court sought
out counsel’s responses to Johnson’s claim of a breakdown and found them
sufficient to dispel any concern. Further, the court considered that
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
Johnson’s motion came four years into his case after many complex issues
were resolved and found that he would be disadvantaged because not all
firsthand knowledge his counsel possessed could be communicated to new
counsel. The court did not abuse its discretion in denying Johnson’s 2015
motion to change counsel.
ii. Johnson’s 2016 motion to change counsel
¶188 During the penalty phase, Johnson made an oral motion for
change of counsel. Johnson complained that (1) his lawyers were not asking
the questions he wanted; (2) his attorneys did not impeach Detective
Denning with a statement he believed was impeachment worthy; (3) his
lawyers were not objecting to statements Dr. DeMarte assigned to him as
Johnson expected they would; and (4) when Johnson requested to waive his
presence because his friend was in attendance, his lawyers were overly
concerned when told the friend’s identity.
¶189 The court responded that Johnson’s case was complicated and
informed him that his lawyers had to make “difficult decisions on the fly,”
so “there’s always a possibility of miscommunication [and] changes in
strategy, depending on how the evidence comes in.” However, nothing
Johnson told the court persuaded it that the level of communication was
diminished enough that the attorney-client relationship was affected.
Rather, the court advised Johnson that his counsel was doing a “pretty darn
good job, and they’re doing their best for you,” and denied his motion.
¶190 The court did not abuse its discretion in denying Johnson’s
2016 motion to change counsel. Again, the disagreements were minor and
related to trial strategy. See Cromwell, 211 Ariz. at 186 ¶ 29 (stating that
differences in strategy are not an irreconcilable conflict). Though Johnson
guessed that he and his counsel had “this communication breakdown
between us” and that the relationship was “strained,” the record does not
suggest the relationship was fractured. After his 2015 motion to change
counsel request, but before trial, Johnson filed a request to represent himself
in the armed robbery matter, but specifically stated, when asked if he was
getting along with his current counsel, “Yeah, yes, I am.” Johnson further
stated that nothing about his current counsel was bothering him and
accepted that his current counsel would remain his advisory counsel for the
armed robbery matter, without complaint.
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Opinion of the Court
¶191 Based on Johnson’s general complaints, the timing of his
motion to change counsel, and the lack of evidence indicating the
relationship was fractured or that communication was impaired, we hold
the court did not abuse its discretion in denying his 2016 motion to change
counsel.
R. Abuse of Discretion Review
¶192 Arizona law requires that we “review the sentencing portion
of the trial even when a defendant fails . . . to challenge the jury’s decision
with regard to either the aggravating factors or the imposition of the death
sentence.” State v. Morris, 215 Ariz. 324, 340 ¶¶ 75–76 (2007); see also A.R.S.
§ 13-756(A).
i. Aggravating circumstances
¶193 We will uphold the jury’s findings of aggravating
circumstances “if there is ‘any reasonable evidence in the record to sustain
it.’” Morris, 215 Ariz. at 341 ¶ 77 (quoting State v. Veatch, 132 Ariz. 394, 396
(1982)). As to the (F)(6) aggravator, we have already confirmed that
substantial evidence supports it. See supra ¶¶ 26–32. Evidence also
supports the jury’s findings of the (F)(2) and (F)(7) aggravators: for the
(F)(2) aggravator, that Johnson was previously convicted of a serious
offense—the armed robbery—and for the (F)(7) aggravator, that Johnson
committed the murder while on probation and release.
ii. Imposition of the death sentence
¶194 We will uphold the jury’s death verdict “if any reasonable
juror could conclude that the mitigation presented was not sufficiently
substantial to call for leniency.” State v. Naranjo, 234 Ariz. 233, 250 ¶ 89
(2014) (internal quotation marks omitted).
¶195 Johnson presented the following mitigating factors to the
jury: (1) Johnson’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct
or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law was significantly
impaired but not so impaired as to constitute a defense to prosecution;
(2) Johnson has a genetic predisposition to substance abuse; (3) Johnson has
a genetic predisposition to mental health issues; (4) Johnson was adopted
as an infant and has been diagnosed as suffering from dissociative disorder
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
as a result of his adoption, i.e., “adopted-child syndrome”; (5) Johnson was
a freshman at Columbine High School at the time of the infamous school
shooting and has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result; (6) Johnson was an
adolescent when he started abusing substances and has a history of
substance abuse; (7) Johnson has a history of mental illness; (8) Johnson’s
willingness to accept full responsibility for his actions and his willingness
to plead guilty to all charges and agree to be sentenced to life in prison
without the possibility of parole; (9) Johnson’s life has value to his family
and friends; and (10) Johnson has the love and support of his family.
¶196 Johnson’s mitigation focused mainly on his substance abuse,
the Columbine shooting, and his PTSD, but was countered by the State
during rebuttal. Though Johnson argued that Columbine changed and
affected him, the State produced evidence showing that Johnson abused
drugs and acted recklessly before the Columbine shooting. The State also
presented rebuttal showing the Columbine shooting’s impact on Johnson
was not as severe as he claimed. Johnson presented evidence that he was
bullied because of his adoption and race, but the evidence also indicated
that his family loved and supported him and that his cousins protected him
from bullying. Further, although Johnson presented the testimony of Dr.
Kirschner to establish adopted-child syndrome, family members testified
that Johnson did not display anger about his adoption or otherwise show
that it negatively affected him. And despite his family’s love and support,
Johnson’s family recognized he was untruthful and dangerous at times.
¶197 Johnson argued that he had a genetic predisposition to
substance abuse, but the State showed Johnson’s erratic behavior was not
limited to drugs: he street-raced cars, passed counterfeit money, and
engaged in fights. To the extent medical experts diagnosed Johnson with
PTSD and personality disorder NOS, the State produced evidence
indicating that Johnson underreported or misrepresented his behavior.
Last, to the extent Johnson claimed remorse, his sincerity was undercut by
testimony from Dr. DeMarte that he laughed and was dismissive about the
murder.
¶198 Even if Johnson’s mitigation evidence were given its full
weight, the jurors could reasonably have concluded that it did not call for
leniency in light of the brutality and senselessness of the murder along with
the other aggravating factors. The jury did not abuse its discretion when it
sentenced Johnson to death.
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STATE V. JOHNSON
Opinion of the Court
S. Excessive Page Limits
¶199 Though not raised by either party, we must address the
excessive lengths of Johnson’s briefs. Some cases are more complex than
others, and in those cases, flexibility is required. But Johnson’s filings
stretch that flexibility too far.
¶200 Johnson submitted an original opening brief totaling 105,621
words and covering more than 400 pages, nearly four times our limit, which
itself is greatly expanded beyond page limits in civil and non-capital
criminal cases. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.14(a) (limiting opening briefs to
28,000 words). We struck it but nevertheless granted him 42,000 words to
file a revised opening brief. In doing so, we stated:
In all capital cases, the Court independently reviews the
record in its entirety, including all evidence, transcripts, and
briefs. For that reason counsel’s arguments regarding the
need to file a brief far exceeding the extended page limits
provided for capital cases are not well-taken, and in any event
they should have been raised in advance of the due date to
prevent further delay in this case.
¶201 Johnson complied, submitting 41,958 words, but did so by
shortening some of his arguments and relegating record citations and legal
citations to footnotes without legal analysis. See Ariz. R. Crim. P.
31.10(a)(7)(A) (requiring arguments to contain (1) “appellant’s contentions
with supporting reasons for each contention,” along with (2) “citations of
legal authorities and appropriate references” to the record). Johnson
essentially “evade[d] our page limit by manipulating the format of his
brief,” of which we disapprove. Bolton, 182 Ariz. at 298.
¶202 In response, the State argued that Johnson had waived issues
that were not sufficiently developed, specifically issues H, M, O, and P.
Johnson then claimed this Court’s previous order and imposition of a
42,000-word limit prevented him from fully developing his arguments. In
Bolton, we rejected that exact argument. Id. (noting the “[d]efendant could
very well have complied with our rules in the first instance”). There, we
“strongly disapprove[d] of defendant’s attempt to create legal issues out of
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Opinion of the Court
his own failure to cooperate with this [C]ourt in reviewing his case.” Id.
We do so again here. 4
¶203 Nevertheless, we granted Johnson 21,000 words in his reply
brief, 7,000 more than our traditional limit, see Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.14(a)
(limiting reply briefs to 14,000 words), to further develop the arguments
that the State claimed were waived. Johnson submitted a 41,853 word reply
brief. By Johnson’s own recording, 9,072 words were spent supplementing
the challenged issues, while 32,781 words were for its regular reply. Its
32,781-word reply alone exceeds our order by over 10,000 words.
¶204 Johnson argues he could not comply with our word limits
because winnowing issues is unethical, citing ABA Guidelines 6.8(a)(5) and
comment to Guideline 10.15.1.C, along with Lockett, 438 U.S. at 604 (noting
the importance of procedural protections to ensure the reliability of
sentencing). We reject Johnson’s argument. As we stated in State v. Atwood:
Each member of this court is acutely aware of the gravity of
the decisions we are called upon to make in capital cases.
Therefore, to argue that such deviations from professional
appellate practice as occurred in this case are justifiable
because the death penalty is at issue is unpersuasive. Rather
than aiding our review of defendant’s case by judiciously
selecting, fully researching, and concisely arguing the
colorable issues raised by the trial record, appellate counsel
has bombarded this court with a salvo of dubious claims
serving little purpose other than to detract from those issues
having arguable legal merit.
171 Ariz. 576, 659 (1992).
¶205 Good advocacy requires winnowing.
Legal contentions, like the currency, depreciate through over-
issue. The mind of an appellate judge is habitually receptive
4 To dispel any concern that Johnson did not have time to edit his briefs to
comply with our limits, he requested, and we granted, five extensions. And
when we struck his original opening brief in April 2018, we granted him an
additional month to edit his brief to comply.
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Opinion of the Court
to the suggestion that a lower court committed an error. But
receptiveness declines as the number of assigned errors
increases. Multiplicity hints at lack of confidence in any
one. . . . [E]xperience on the bench convinces [us] that
multiplying assignments of error will dilute and weaken a
good case and will not save a bad one.
Robert H. Jackson, Advocacy Before the United States Supreme Court, 25
Temple L.Q. 115, 119 (1951).
¶206 Similarly, good advocacy requires editing. It may be that it is
“harder to write shorter and crisper,” Bryan A. Garner, Interview with Chief
Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., 13 Scribes J. Legal Writing 5, 33 (2010) (quoting
Chief Justice Roberts), and that writing with “[s]implicity and clarity”
requires more “rounds of editing,” Bryan A. Garner, Interview with Justice
Clarence Thomas, 13 Scribes J. Legal Writing 99, 99 (2010) (quoting Justice
Thomas), but such is the price of good advocacy. We do not read the ABA
Guidelines to provide otherwise.
¶207 Indeed, in State v. Amaya-Ruiz, we were “able to address the
21 arguments submitted by defendant under 11 issues, reflecting our belief
that the brief could have withstood further editing without compromising
the quality of its arguments.” 166 Ariz. 152, 183 (1990) (stating that the
court’s page limits do not infringe due process rights). Here, we
consolidated twenty-one arguments into seventeen issues, some of which
were foreclosed by previous decisions. And without stating which
arguments were overdeveloped (or without merit), we conclude that
Johnson could have effectively edited his arguments to fit within the
provided word count. Our conclusion is bolstered by our independent
review of the record, finding no reversible error.
¶208 Johnson is entitled to a meaningful opportunity to be heard,
but that does not mean that he may decline to comply with this Court’s
requirements and orders or that he is excused from the obligation to edit
his work.
T. Issues Preserved for Federal Review
¶209 Johnson identifies thirty-two issues he seeks to preserve for
federal review. As he concedes, we have previously rejected each of his
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Opinion of the Court
claims. We decline to revisit them.
CONCLUSION
¶210 For the reasons above, we affirm Johnson’s convictions and
sentences.
63