State of Arizona v. Kenneth Scott MacHado

FILED BY CLERK
MAY 10 2006
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS COURT OF APPEALS
STATE OF ARIZONA DIVISION TWO
DIVISION TWO
THE STATE OF ARIZONA, )
) 2 CA-CR 2004-0362
Appellee, ) DEPARTMENT A
)
v. ) OPINION
)
KENNETH SCOTT MACHADO, )
)
Appellant. )
)
APPEAL FROM THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PIMA COUNTY
Cause No. CR-20040585
Honorable John E. Davis, Judge
AFFIRMED
Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General
By Randall M. Howe and Cari McConeghy-Harris Phoenix
Attorneys for Appellee
Robert J. Hooker, Pima County Public Defender
By Kristine Maish Tucson
Attorneys for Appellant
H O W A R D, Presiding Judge.
¶1 After a jury trial, appellant Kenneth Machado was convicted of sexual assault,
solicitation of a class one felony, and interfering with judicial proceedings. The trial court
sentenced Machado to consecutive, presumptive prison terms totaling 10.5 years for the
sexual assault and solicitation convictions and time served for the interference with judicial
proceedings conviction. On appeal, Machado argues the trial court erred by denying his
requested jury instruction on spousal defense to sexual assault, precluding testimony, giving
the standard jury instruction on reasonable doubt, and failing to consider the overwhelming
mitigating circumstances when imposing his sentences. Finding no reversible error, we
affirm.
¶2 We view the facts in the light most favorable to sustaining the convictions,
resolving all reasonable inferences against the defendant. State v. Riley, 196 Ariz. 40, ¶ 2,
992 P.2d 1135, 1137 (App. 1999). Machado and his wife, the victim, were married in
November 1994. In September 2003, the couple separated and Machado’s wife moved out
of the family residence and into an apartment. During the separation, the couple continued
to attend marriage counseling. Machado’s wife also occasionally visited the family home
to collect her belongings and provide care for their minor children.
¶3 In December 2003, Machado’s wife went to the family residence so Machado
could help her study for an important examination. During this time, Machado prepared an
intravenous (IV) solution of dextrose and water and, with his wife’s permission, administered
it to her in order to give her “energy to study.” Shortly thereafter, she became ill and lost
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consciousness. She awoke briefly and found herself lying on Machado’s bed, but lost
consciousness again. The next time she awoke she was in a hospital emergency room.
Subsequent tests found that her blood alcohol concentration was .20 and that she was
suffering from benzodiazepine (Valium) poisoning. Hospital staff also found what was
determined to be Machado’s semen in her vaginal area.
¶4 After Machado’s wife was released from the hospital, she and Machado met
with a marriage counselor to discuss the incident. When she left the meeting, Machado’s
wife noticed that Machado was following her, and the next day, she obtained an order of
protection against him. Nevertheless, on January 14, Machado visited his wife’s apartment
and left her a gift of “a letter and flowers” in her vehicle. Machado’s wife subsequently
called the police and reported Machado’s violation of the protective order.
¶5 In January 2004, Machado contacted Richard Corey, his cousin, and asked
him to help “get rid of” his wife. Machado told Corey he planned to rent a van and when
his wife finished work on the morning of January 31, he would shock her using an
electroshock gun, put her in the van, and drive away. Machado asked Corey to pick up his
wife’s car after Machado had abducted her. Corey said he would “think about it,” but later
mentioned Machado’s plan to several people, including Corey’s mother. His mother warned
Machado’s wife her “safety was in danger,” and Machado’s wife called the police. On
January 31, the day of the planned abduction, Machado voluntarily committed himself to
the psychiatric unit at Kino Hospital.
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¶6 A police investigation ensued and subsequently showed Machado had
purchased an electroshock gun on January 29. The police also discovered Machado had
rented a van and a hotel room during that same time period. A search of Machado’s
bedroom closet produced a bag containing the electroshock gun, a stethoscope, instruction
manuals, and batteries. Machado was arrested and charged with sexual assault,
administering intoxicating liquors or a narcotic or dangerous drug, attempted first-degree
murder, solicitation of a class one felony, and interfering with judicial proceedings. The trial
court directed a verdict on the count of administering intoxicating liquors or a narcotic or
dangerous drug. The jury acquitted Machado on the attempted first-degree murder charge
but found him guilty of the remaining counts.
SPOUSAL DEFENSE JURY INSTRUCTION
¶7 Machado argues the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to give his
requested jury instruction on the spousal defense to sexual assault. We review a trial court’s
refusal to give a requested jury instruction for an abuse of discretion, State v. Tschilar, 200
Ariz. 427, ¶ 36, 27 P.3d 331, 340 (App. 2001). A defendant is entitled to a jury instruction
on any theory for which there is reasonable support in the evidence. State v. Johnson, 205
Ariz. 413, ¶ 10, 72 P.3d 343, 347 (App. 2003).
¶8 Machado was indicted for sexual assault pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-1406.
During the settling of jury instructions, he requested an instruction based on the version of
A.R.S. § 13-1407(D) in effect at the time of the offense. His requested instruction read: “It
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is a defense to a prosecution pursuant to Section 13-1404, 13-1405 or 13-1406 that the
person was the spouse of the other person at the time of commission of the act.”1 The state
objected, arguing that Machado did not meet the definition of “spouse” in A.R.S. §
13-1401(4), “a person who is legally married and cohabiting.”
¶9 Both parties agreed that Machado and his wife were married at the time of the
offense. The state argued, however, that, because Machado and his wife did not live in the
same residence, they were not cohabiting, and thus, Machado could not be a spouse under
§ 13-1401(4). Machado countered that whether two people are cohabiting is based on many
factors other than just living together; therefore, this issue was a question of fact for the jury.
The state responded that the court should first determine whether there were sufficient facts
to support a finding that Machado and his wife had been cohabiting. Without making any
express findings, the court denied Machado’s requested instruction.
¶10 Machado contends that whether two people are cohabiting can have “various
meanings and interpretations” and that the term is “a flexible and broad one.” He cites
1
This provision was amended in 2005 to essentially repeal the spousal defense to
sexual assault. It now reads:
It is a defense to a prosecution pursuant to section
13-1404 or 13-1405 that the person was the spouse of the other
person at the time of commission of the act. It is not a defense
to a prosecution pursuant to section 13-1406 that the defendant
was the spouse of the victim at the time of commission of the
act.
2005 Ariz. Sess. Laws, ch. 185, § 4.
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several cases from foreign jurisdictions that have discussed the meaning of cohabitation in
various circumstances. We do not find these cases helpful because the issue we must resolve
is what the Arizona legislature intended by including the word “cohabiting” in the statute.
See State v. Henry, 205 Ariz. 229, ¶ 14, 68 P.3d 455, 459 (App. 2003).
¶11 In determining the meaning of a statute, we must give effect to the intent of the
legislature in enacting the provision. See Abbott v. City of Tempe, 129 Ariz. 273, 275, 630
P.2d 569, 571 (App. 1981). A statute’s plain language provides “the best and most reliable
index of a statute’s meaning.” Janson v. Christensen, 167 Ariz. 470, 471, 808 P.2d 1222,
1223 (1991). Therefore, unless it clearly appears that the legislature intended some special
or technical meaning, words in a statute should be given their natural and obvious meanings.
State v. Reynolds, 170 Ariz. 233, 234, 823 P.2d 681, 682 (1992); see also A.R.S. § 1-213
(“Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved use of the
language.”).
¶12 We note that the word “cohabiting” is not explicitly defined in the criminal
code, and it does not appear the legislature attached any special meaning or definition to that
word. We therefore define the term in accordance with its normal meaning. See Reynolds,
170 Ariz. at 234, 823 P.2d at 682. Both Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary and The
American Heritage Dictionary define “cohabit” as “to live together as husband and wife.”
The American Heritage Dictionary 289 (2d college ed. 1991); Webster’s New Collegiate
Dictionary 216 (1980). In addition, Black’s Law Dictionary defines “cohabitation” as:
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“[t]he fact or state of living together, esp[ecially] as partners in life, usu[ally] with the
suggestion of sexual relations.” Black’s Law Dictionary 277 (8th ed. 2004). Therefore, the
common meaning of the term “cohabit” is a couple who is living together and behaving as
married partners.
¶13 Machado argues that the facts adduced at trial suggested he and his wife were
cohabiting. He first notes he and his wife had been sharing the rent and mortgage payments
at both residences and his wife’s personal belongings had remained at the family residence.
He also said his wife would visit the family residence and go for walks with their children.
Machado further notes he and his wife were attending counseling and making attempts to
reconcile.
¶14 Although these facts may indicate an ongoing relationship, none demonstrates
that Machado and his wife were cohabiting in the normal sense of the word. Furthermore,
the record shows Machado’s wife had moved out of the family residence and into a separate
apartment three months before Machado assaulted her. And Machado’s wife testified she
had not engaged in any sexual activity with Machado since she had moved out. She further
testified the couple had drafted a separation agreement in which Machado had agreed not
to ask for or attempt to have any physical contact with his wife. Because no evidence
reasonably supported a finding that Machado and his wife were cohabiting, Machado was
not entitled to the spousal defense instruction. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in refusing to give one.
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¶15 Machado also raises several constitutional issues related to the trial court’s
refusal to give a spousal defense jury instruction. In particular, he argues the court’s refusal
denied him his right to present a defense, his right to due process, and his right to a jury trial.
Because he did not raise these issues below, we review his arguments solely for fundamental
error. State v. Martinez, 210 Ariz. 578, n.2, 115 P.3d 618, 620 n.2 (2005). Fundamental
error is error that goes to the foundation of a case such that the defendant could not have
received a fair trial. See State v. Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶ 19, 115 P.3d 601, 607 (2005).
To prevail in a fundamental error review, a defendant must show that error occurred, the
error was fundamental, and the error prejudiced the defendant. Id. ¶ 20. Because we have
found the court did not err by refusing to give the spousal defense jury instruction, Machado
cannot prove fundamental error and resulting prejudice. Accordingly, we need not consider
these issues further.
MACHADO’S STATEMENT TO DETECTIVE RIDGEWAY
¶16 Machado next argues the trial court erred by refusing to admit his own
testimony and that of Detective Max Ridgeway concerning a conversation between them in
which Machado had stated he had not intended to hurt his wife. Machado contends this
evidence was admissible pursuant to Rule 803(3), Ariz. R. Evid., 17A A.R.S., to show his
state of mind as it related to his renunciation defense to the solicitation charge. But
Machado did not challenge the trial court’s preclusion of his own testimony on these
grounds below. And, although Machado did raise this issue as to Ridgeway’s testimony, the
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record shows Machado made the state of mind argument only as to the attempt charge; he
expressly conceded at trial this argument did not apply to the solicitation charge. Because
Machado did not raise below the issues he now argues on appeal, we review them solely for
fundamental error. See Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶ 19, 115 P.3d at 607.
¶17 On February 3, shortly after Machado was released from Kino Hospital,
Ridgeway visited Machado at his residence. According to his report, Ridgeway informed
Machado he would not ask him any questions and only wanted Machado to listen to what
he had to say. Ridgeway then told Machado he was a suspect in a conspiracy to commit
murder or kidnapping against his wife and Ridgeway did not want anything to happen to her.
Machado responded that “he didn’t have any intention of hurting anyone and that he had
no plans to hurt her.” When Ridgeway returned to his office, he found a voice message left
by Machado asking Ridgeway “to let his wife know he didn’t want to hurt her,” and “he
didn’t want her to be walking around scared he was going to do something.”
¶18 Machado contends his and Ridgeway’s precluded testimony was relevant
under Rule 803(3) to show he had renounced his plans to kidnap and murder his wife. Rule
803(3) allows admission of a hearsay statement if it is a “statement of the declarant’s then
existing state of mind, . . . but not including a statement of memory or belief to prove the fact
remembered or believed.” The solicitation charge alleged Machado had requested that
Corey help him harm the victim on January 30. Machado claims, however, he renounced
his plan on January 31 when he committed himself to Kino Hospital and his conversation
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with Ridgeway was evidence of this renunciation. But Machado’s conversation with
Ridgeway occurred on February 3, three days after his supposed renunciation. Machado’s
statements were only relevant to show his state of mind during his conversation with
Ridgeway and not when he claims the actual renunciation occurred. Accordingly, they were
not admissible under Rule 803(3) because they were a “statement of memory or belief to
prove the fact remembered.”
¶19 Machado contends this evidence was relevant to counter the state’s own
theory that he had planned to murder his wife as late as February 6, arguing this evidence
would show he had renounced any future plan he might have had to harm his wife. But the
state charged Machado with soliciting Corey on January 30 to help him kill his wife. And
Machado has not identified any evidence showing that Corey, who knew the police had been
contacted, was involved after that time. The trial court therefore did not err by sustaining
the state’s objection and precluding Machado’s and Ridgeway’s testimony on this issue.
¶20 Moreover, as the state points out, Machado testified in his own defense and
stated he had not planned to harm his wife. Consequently, the jury was aware of Machado’s
denial of his intent to solicit her murder. Even so, the jury found Machado guilty of the
solicitation charge. Therefore, even if he or Ridgeway had been allowed to testify Machado
had told Ridgeway that Machado did not intend to harm his wife, we can say beyond a
reasonable doubt the verdict would have been the same. Accordingly, even assuming error,
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Machado has not met his burden of showing he was prejudiced by preclusion of the
testimony. See Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶ 26, 115 P.3d at 608.
¶21 Finally, Machado argues the court’s preclusion of his and Ridgeway’s
testimony on this issue denied him his right to compulsory process and his right to present
a defense. But, once again, he did not raise these constitutional claims below; thus, we
review these issues only for fundamental error. See id. ¶ 19. And, because we have already
found the court did not err on these issues, we cannot find Machado met his burden of
showing error and resulting prejudice merely by raising these same issues under the purview
of the Arizona and United States Constitutions.
PORTILLO INSTRUCTION
¶22 Machado next argues the trial court erred by giving the reasonable doubt
instruction required by State v. Portillo, 182 Ariz. 592, 898 P.2d 970 (1995). Machado
also argues the trial court erred by allowing the state to characterize its burden of proof in
its closing arguments as “firmly convinced,” which essentially mimicked the language of the
Portillo instruction. But because Machado requested the court give the Portillo instruction,
he invited any error in that instruction and is not entitled to appellate review of that issue.
See State v. Logan, 200 Ariz. 564, ¶ 9, 30 P.3d 631, 632 (2001).
MITIGATING FACTORS IN SENTENCING
¶23 Machado further argues the trial court abused its discretion when it failed to
consider his “overwhelming mitigating circumstances” in imposing presumptive, consecutive
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sentences for the sexual assault and solicitation convictions. “A trial court has broad
discretion to determine the appropriate penalty to impose upon conviction, and we will not
disturb a sentence that is within statutory limits . . . unless it clearly appears that the court
abused its discretion.” State v. Cazares, 205 Ariz. 425, ¶ 6, 72 P.3d 355, 357 (App. 2003).
We will find an abuse of sentencing discretion only if the court acted arbitrarily or
capriciously or failed to adequately investigate the facts relevant to sentencing. State v.
Ward, 200 Ariz. 387, ¶ 6, 26 P.3d 1158, 1160 (App. 2001).
¶24 Prior to pronouncing sentence on Machado, the trial court stated it had read
the presentence report and had discussed the matter with the probation officer. The court
also acknowledged it had received Machado’s sentencing memorandum that listed several
possible mitigating factors: Machado’s lack of criminal history, his military record, his work
record, the support he had of his family and community, his devotion to his children, his
deep religious conviction, the unusual and extraordinary stress from which he was suffering
at the time of the offense, and the “collateral damage” Machado had already received as a
result of his arrest and convictions. The court also heard statements at the sentencing
hearing from Machado’s counsel that reiterated these circumstances. Furthermore, attached
to the memorandum were fourteen letters of support written by Machado’s family members,
friends, and colleagues. And, at the sentencing hearing, Machado’s counsel reminded the
court of these letters as well as the five character witnesses that had testified at trial on
Machado’s behalf.
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¶25 The trial court fully considered the factors relevant to imposing sentence.
Because the court’s decision to impose presumptive, consecutive sentences was not arbitrary
or capricious, we find no abuse of discretion. See Ward, 200 Ariz. 387, ¶ 6, 26 P.3d at
1160; see also State v. Cid, 181 Ariz. 496, 501, 892 P.2d 216, 221 (App. 1995) (“[A]n
appellate court presumes that the trial court considered all relevant mitigating factors in
rendering its sentencing decision.”).
¶26 We affirm Machado’s convictions and sentences.
____________________________________
JOSEPH W. HOWARD, Presiding Judge
CONCURRING:
____________________________________
JOHN PELANDER, Chief Judge
____________________________________
GARYE L. VÁSQUEZ, Judge
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