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Pete Carl
ROGOVICH
The United States
District Court For the District of Arizona
ADC# 114642
Date of Birth: February 21, 1966
Defendant: Caucasian
Victims: 3 Caucasian
1 Asian Indian
On March 15, 1992, Rogovich
robbed a Super Stop Food Mart and shot and killed the clerk, Terkeberhan
Manna.
He later went to the Palo Verde
Trailer Park where he encountered Phyllis Mancuso and shot and killed
her.
He entered the home of Marie
Pendergast, where he shot and killed her.
After leaving the Pendergast
residence, he shot and killed Rebecca Carreon in the driveway of her
home.
He fled on foot to a local
restaurant, where he took a vehicle from an employee at gunpoint. He
then robbed a Circle K store.
He was later apprehended after a
pursuit by local law enforcement agencies.
The State charged Rogovich with
four counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of
armed robbery, and one count of unlawful flight from a law enforcement
vehicle. The jurors found Rogovich guilty of all counts.
The trial court sentenced
Rogovich to death for three of the murders, and to a total of 52 years
for the non-capital offenses, followed by a consecutive sentence of life
with no eligibility for parole for 25 years for the other murder.
PROCEEDINGS
Presiding Judge: David R. Cole
Prosecutor: Robert Shutts
Start of Trial: May 11, 1994
Verdict: June 1, 1994
Sentencing: June 9, 1995
Aggravating Circumstances:
Prior conviction of life offense (for victims Carreon, Mancuso, and
Pendergast)
Prior conviction of crime of violence (all four murders)
Two or more murders (for victims Carreon, Mancuso, and Pendergast)
Mitigating Circumstances:
Mental impairment
Dysfunctional home life/difficult early years
Lack of a prior serious record
Good employment history
Good behavior while incarcerated
Admission of guilt/feeling of remorse
PUBLISHED
OPINIONS
State v. Rogovich, 188 Ariz. 38, 932 P.2d 794 (1997)
State v. Rogovich
Arizona Supreme Court
February 4, 1997
STATE OF ARIZONA, APPELLEE,
v.
PETE CARL ROGOVICH, APPELLANT.
Maricopa County. No. CR 92-02443. Appeal from the Superior Court in
Maricopa County. The Honorable David R. Cole, Judge.
Certiorari Denied October 6, 1997
Stanley G. Feldman, Justice. Concurring: Thomas A. Zlaket, Chief
Justice, Charles E. Jones, Vice Chief Justice, Frederick J. Martone,
Justice. Justice James Moeller did not participate in the determination
of this matter.
The opinion of the court was delivered by: Feldman
FELDMAN, Justice
On June 1, 1994, a jury found Pete Carl Rogovich guilty of four
counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two
counts of armed robbery, and one count of unlawful flight from a law
enforcement vehicle. The trial court sentenced Rogovich to death for
three of his four murder convictions. This is Rogovich's direct
automatic appeal of his murder convictions and death sentences. We have
jurisdiction pursuant to Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5(3), A.R.S. § 13-4031,
and Rule 31.2(b), Ariz.R.Crim.P.
BACKGROUND FACTS
On Sunday, March 15, 1992, at 8:30 a.m., a maintenance man saw
Rogovich park his car in the lot of his central Phoenix apartment
complex. On the way to his apartment, Rogovich spoke to the maintenance
man, telling him he was upset with his girlfriend and was going to get
even with her. Rogovich then went to his second-floor apartment.
At about 8:45 a.m., a customer entered a Super Stop Market located
near Rogovich's apartment and found the body of the clerk, Tekleberhan
Manna, a 24-year-old Ethiopian immigrant. Manna sustained a fatal
gunshot wound to his right eye, fired from within two feet, causing
instantaneous death. No money or merchandise had been taken from the
store.
Around 1:00 p.m. the same day, Rogovich left his apartment with a
gun in his hand and began randomly firing. At that time, Tony Madrid and
Pamela Rodgers were leaving the apartment complex by car. One of
Rogovich's shots hit a rear tire. Madrid thought the car was backfiring,
and when he and Rodgers momentarily got out of the car to inspect,
Rogovich fired at them but missed. Rogovich then ran to the south side
of the complex and jumped the fence separating the apartment complex
from the neighboring trailer park.
In the trailer park, Rogovich went on what can only be described as
a homicidal rampage, leaving three victims in his wake. In the laundry
room, 62-year-old Phyllis Mancuso was shot once through her right cheek
and neck and died within minutes. In her driveway, 48-year-old Rebecca
Carreon was shot once in the back and died from loss of blood within a
few minutes. Finally, in her trailer 83-year-old Marie Pendergast was
shot twice in the abdomen and also died from blood loss.
Rogovich was last seen running into an open field adjacent to the
trailer park. Some time later, he appeared at a restaurant parking lot
where disc jockey Kelly Urich was doing promotional work for Y-95, a
Phoenix radio station. Rogovich took the distinctive Y-95 van from Urich
at gunpoint and drove off.
Rogovich was next seen at a convenience store in Goodyear. Inside
the store, he grabbed a couple of 12-packs of beer from the cooler and
approached the counter. At the counter, he put down his gun and demanded
in a quiet voice, "Give me some money." The cashier handed him about
$45. Rogovich took the money, casually walked out to the Y-95 van, and
drove off.
At about 5:00 p.m. Goodyear police, responding to a call concerning
the convenience store robbery, spotted the Y-95 van and pursued.
Although Rogovich led them on a lengthy chase at speeds ranging from 50
to over 100 miles per hour, police were finally able to stop him at a
roadblock.
In interviews with the police, Rogovich admitted to committing all
of the various offenses, including the murder of Tekleberhan Manna. He
stated, "I did it. I know it was wrong. I know I'll burn in hell." When
asked if he was sorry, Rogovich replied, "Of course, I'm sorry. It was
wrong. I know it, but I just snapped. I was so angry. I just couldn't
stop. I was full of anger." Rogovich told a detective that the death of
his stepfather in 1986 and the recent breakup with his girlfriend really
bothered him.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On March 26, 1992, the State charged Rogovich with four counts of
first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of
armed robbery, and one count of unlawful flight from a law enforcement
vehicle. The State also filed a notice of intent to seek the death
penalty.
At arraignment, Rogovich pleaded not guilty. The trial Judge
subsequently granted Rogovich's motions for a competency prescreening
and a full psychiatric examination. Although the trial court found
Rogovich competent to stand trial, several months later Rogovich gave
notice of his intent to present the affirmative defense of insanity
Two mental health experts examined Rogovich for the defense. Dr.
Paul Bindelglas, a psychiatrist, concluded that Rogovich suffered from
acute psychosis--in particular, paranoid schizophrenia. Dr. Marc Walter,
a clinical neuropsychologist, likewise concluded that Rogovich suffered
from paranoid schizophrenia.
The State also had two mental health experts examine Rogovich. Dr.
Alexander Don, a psychiatrist, concluded that Rogovich suffered only
from a personality disorder, not a mental illness. Dr. Michael Bayless,
a psychologist, concluded that Rogovich suffered from no thought or
mental disorder but only from phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication.
Rogovich's jury trial commenced on May 12, 1994. Both at the
Conclusion of the State's evidence and at the Conclusion of all of the
evidence, Rogovich moved for a judgment of acquittal; the Judge denied
both motions. After deliberating for just over five hours, the jurors
found Rogovich guilty on all counts.
At the sentencing hearing following trial, the State raised three
statutory aggravators. Rogovich sought to prove only one statutory
mitigator, though he also sought to prove five nonstatutory mitigators.
In rendering his special verdict, the Judge found beyond a reasonable
doubt that Rogovich killed the four victims and that he intended to kill
them. Concluding that the mitigators were not sufficiently substantial
to call for leniency, the Judge sentenced Rogovich to death for the
murders of Rebecca Carreon, Phyllis Mancuso, and Marie Pendergast and to
a parole-eligible life sentence for the murder of Tekleberhan Manna.
TRIAL ISSUES
A. Expert testimony
1. Bases of expert testimony
Rogovich argues that the trial Judge erred when he permitted Dr.
Philip Keen, the Maricopa County Chief Medical Examiner, to testify at
trial in place of Dr. Larry Shaw and explain the autopsy reports and
causes of death. Dr. Shaw prepared the autopsy reports but was no longer
on staff at the Medical Examiner's Office at the time of trial.
Rogovich admits this court has specifically held that such testimony
is admissible. See State v. Villafuerte, 142 Ariz. 323, 327, 690 P.2d
42, 46, cert. denied, 105 S. Ct. 1234, 469 U.S. 1230, 84 L. Ed. 2d 371
(1984) (no error in medical examiner testifying about results shown in
laboratory reports not prepared by him); State v. Noleen 142 Ariz. 101,
104, 688 P.2d 993, 996 (1984) (no error in medical examiner offering
opinion on cause of death based on his reading and interpretation of
autopsy report prepared by another medical examiner). He instead
contends that Dr. Keen based his opinion on the observations of someone
who may have been unqualified to make those observations. But Rule 703,
Ariz.R.Evid., which governs the bases of opinion testimony by experts,
provides:
The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases
an opinion or inference may be those perceived or those made known to
the expert at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon
by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences
upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence.
The rule does not require that the facts or data used as a basis for
an opinion be generated by a qualified, testifying expert. In fact,
Rogovich has cited no authority for such a proposition. Moreover, in
State v. Lundstrom we held that "under most circumstances an expert may
testify as to the substance of another expert's opinion if the
testifying expert reasonably relied on that other opinion in forming his
own opinion." 161 Ariz. 141, 148, 776 P.2d 1067, 1074(1989); see also
Hernandez v. Faker, 137 Ariz. 449, 671 P.2d 427 (App. 1983). Thus, the
question is whether Dr. Keen reasonably relied on reports and opinions
from others.
Dr. Keen's reliance on Dr. Shaw's report and opinions cannot
seriously be disputed. See Lundstrom, 161 Ariz. 141 at 146, 776 P.2d at
1072 (citing Hernandez, 137 Ariz. 449 at 454, 671 P.2d at 432 (testifying
expert may reasonably rely on medical opinions of a non-testifying
doctor)); M. UDALL & J. LIVERMORE, ARIZONA PRACTICE--LAW OF EVIDENCE §
23, at 12 (2d ed. Supp. 1989)("It is hard to say...that it is not
reasonable [for experts] to rely on...shared opinions"). Rule 703 merely
brings to the courtroom the methods now followed by the learned
professions and disciplines. Because of technological advances and the
publication and wide dissemination of articles and reports, modern
scientists have at their disposal and rely in their work on the findings
and reports of colleagues from all over the world. Rule 703 allows a
testifying expert to reach and express an opinion in the courtroom in
the same manner he or she would in the laboratory or other work place.
Any other rule would produce absurdity. For example, no orthopedic
surgeon could testify unless the radiologist who read the X-rays on
which the surgeon relied was first called to testify, and the
radiologist could not testify until the technician who took the X-rays
had testified. Presumably, the process could continue without end. We
therefore reject the argument and avoid the nightmare that would exist
without application of Rule 703.
2. Confrontation issues
Citing Idaho v. Wright, 497 U.S. 805, 110 S. Ct. 3139, 111 L. Ed. 2d
638 (1990), Rogovich contends that the right of confrontation is
satisfied only when evidence comes in under a firmly rooted hearsay
exception. Because Rule 703 is not a hearsay exception, he says it is
certainly not firmly rooted.
Admitting the substance of a non-testifying expert's opinion is not
a hearsay use at all. Lundstrom, 161 Ariz. at 148, 776 P.2d at 1074.
Facts or data underlying the testifying expert's opinion are admissible
for the limited purpose of showing the basis of that opinion, not to
prove the truth of the matter asserted. Id. Testimony not admitted to
prove the truth of the matter asserted by an out-of-court declarant is
not hearsay and does not violate the confrontation clause. State v.
Hernandez 170 Ariz. 301, 307, 823 P.2d 1309, 1315 (App. 1991). Thus, the
defendant's confrontation right extends to the testifying expert witness,
not to those who do not testify but whose findings or research merely
form the basis for the witness's testimony. See Reardon v. Manson, 806
F.2d 39, 42 (2d Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1020, 107 S. Ct.
1903, 95 L. Ed. 2d 509 (1987) ("Expert reliance upon the output of
others does not necessarily violate the confrontation clause where the
expert is available for questioning concerning the nature and
reasonableness of his reliance.").
Rogovich confronted and cross-examined Dr. Keen. Because Dr. Keen's
testimonial reference to Dr. Shaw's autopsy reports was offered for
purposes of showing the basis of Keen's opinion and not to prove the
truth of the matter asserted, the testimony did not violate the
confrontation clause.
*fn1
B. The Wussler instruction
Rogovich contends that the Judge committed reversible and
fundamental error by instructing the jurors that they were required to
decide unanimously if he was guilty of the more serious crime of first-degree
murder before they could consider the less serious crime of second-degree
murder. At trial, the Judge gave the following jury instruction:
The crime of first degree murder includes the less serious crime of
second degree murder. You may find the defendant guilty of the less
serious crime only if you find unanimously the State has failed to prove
the more serious crime beyond a reasonable doubt, but has proved the
less serious crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
This conformed with Recommended Arizona Jury Instructions, Standard
Criminal 22 (1989); State v. Wussler, 139 Ariz. 428, 679 P.2d 74 (1989);
and State v. Staatz 159 Ariz. 411, 768 P.2d 143 (1988). In Wussler a
majority of this court approved an instruction requiring "the jury to
acquit the defendant on the charged offense before considering the
lesser-included offenses." 139 Ariz. at 430, 679 P.2d at 76. However, we
recently disapproved both Wussler and Staatz in State v. LeBlanc,
holding:
It now appears that requiring a jury to do no more than use
reasonable efforts to reach a verdict on the charged offense is the
better practice and more fully serves the interests of Justice and the
parties. Under this method, jurors may render a verdict on a lesser-included
offense if, after full and careful consideration of the evidence, they
are unable to reach agreement with respect to the charged crime. Thus,
the jury may deliberate on a lesser offense if it either (1) finds the
defendant not guilty on the greater charge, or (2) after reasonable
efforts cannot agree whether to acquit or convict on that charge.
186 Ariz. 437, , 924 P.2d 441, 442 (1996).
In LeBlanc we did not hold that giving a Wussler -type instruction
rises to the level of fundamental error. Id. at , 924 P.2d at 443-44. To
the contrary, we remain "persuaded that the acquittal-first requirement
does not violate the United States and Arizona Constitutions." Id.
Furthermore, LeBlanc is to be applied prospectively only Id at , 924
P.2d at 444. Thus, the Judge did not commit reversible error in giving
the Wussler -type instruction.
C. The insanity defense
Several months after Rogovich entered his not guilty plea, his
lawyer filed notice of his intent to present an insanity defense.
Rogovich contends that because the record does not affirmatively show
that he agreed to present this defense, his convictions violate the Due
Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Rogovich asserts that
because an insanity defense involves a concession of the State's basic
facts, makes virtually any evidence relevant and admissible, and
operates as a waiver of fundamental rights, due process requires a
defendant's affirmative, recorded agreement to its presentation.
Rogovich admits that we recently rejected this argument in State v.
Hurles, in which we said:
We also disagree with Hurles' assertions that the insanity defense
vitiates the presumption of innocence or negates the state's burden of
proof. Even though criminal defendants have the burden of proving
insanity under A.R.S. § 13-502(B), which may, but need not result in a
strategy of admitting certain facts of the crime charged, the
presumption of innocence and the state's burden remain unchanged.
185 Ariz. 199, 203, 914 P.2d 1291, 1295 (1996). Hurles, Rogovich
concedes, deprives him of this argument.
Rogovich did not personally object to his lawyer presenting an
insanity defense. He was not only present at his competency hearing and
at trial but was also examined by four mental health experts in response
to his insanity claim. Clearly, as in Hurles, failure of counsel to get
express, on-the-record permission from Rogovich to advance the insanity
defense is not fundamental error. Given the facts, counsel's decision to
raise the defense was certainly reasonable. Because Rogovich, who was
present at all critical moments, failed to object, the claim is
precluded. Id. See State v. Ryan, 248 Neb. 405, 534 N.W.2d 766 (Neb.
1995) (holding that defendant acquiesced to insanity defense by
cooperating with psychiatrists and that attorneys made reasonable
strategic choice in asserting insanity defense).
SENTENCING ISSUES
A. Independent review
Rogovich presents no sentencing issues for review. Furthermore, at
oral argument defense counsel, as an officer of the court, avowed that a
careful study of the record produced no arguable issues. Nevertheless,
we conduct an independent review of the aggravating and mitigating
factors in all capital cases to determine whether the death penalty is
warranted. State v. Wood, 180 Ariz. 53, 68, 881 P.2d 1158, 1173 (1994).
B. Aggravating circumstances
When seeking to death qualify a defendant, the State must prove the
aggravating circumstances enumerated in A.R.S. § 13-703(F) beyond a
reasonable doubt See A.R.S. § 13-703(C); State v. Kiles, 175 Ariz. 358,
369, 857 P.2d 1212, 1223 (1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1058, 114 S. Ct.
724, 126 L. Ed. 2d 688 (1994). In aggravation, the Judge found that
Rogovich bad been convicted of: (1) another offense in the United States
for which under Arizona law a sentence of life imprisonment or death was
imposable § 13-703(F)(1); (2) a felony involving the use or threat of
violence on another person, § 13-703(F)(2); and (3) one or more other
homicides committed during the commission of the offense, § 13-703
(F)(8). We agree these circumstances exist.
1. Other crimes for which sentences of life imprisonment or death
were imposable -- § 13-703(F)(1)
The State's argument for the existence of (F)(1) was intertwined
with its argument for (F)(8) -- other homicides. The State argued that
if the Judge did not find the existence of (F)(8) in connection with the
trailer park killings, it must find that (F)(1), the convenience store
killing, existed. See State v. Cook, 170 Ariz. 40, 63 n.11, 821 P.2d
731, 754 n.11 (1991). However, Rogovich urged that (F)(1) could not be
found because it only applied to convictions obtained outside of
Arizona. The Judge rejected this narrow interpretation and found that
the State had established the existence of (F)(1) for the trailer park
killings but not for the convenience store killing.
There is no support for Rogovich's contention that the convictions
necessary to satisfy an (F)(1) finding must be extraterritorial.
Although a review of relevant cases reveals that some involve
convictions obtained outside of Arizona, none suggest this is a
requirement. The broader interpretation of (F)(1), encompassing both
convictions internal and external to Arizona, is the correct one. We
thus agree this aggravating circumstance is present. See State v. Smith,
146 Ariz. 491, 501-02, 707 P.2d 289, 299-300 (1985) (prior armed robbery
convictions in Yuma, Arizona, were properly considered as an (F)(1)
aggravating circumstance).
2. Prior conviction of felony involving violence -- § 13-703(F)(2)
The State argued that Rogovich's convictions for aggravated assault
and armed robbery satisfy the existence of former § 13-703 (F)(2), which
provided that the aggravating circumstance was present if "the defendant
was previously convicted of a felony in the United States involving the
use or threat of violence on another person."
*fn2
Rogovich argued the State failed to establish that the aggravated
assault and armed robbery convictions constituted previous convictions
under (F)(2). However, in State v. Gretzler, 135 Ariz. 42, 659 P.2d 1,
we interpreted (F)(2) (and (F)(1)) as applying to convictions entered
prior to the sentencing hearing, regardless of the order in which the
underlying crimes occurred or the convictions entered. See also State v.
Valencia, 124 Ariz. 139, 141, 602 P.2d 807, 809 (1979). Thus, Rogovich's
convictions on these charges were previous convictions.
Rogovich also argued that a conviction qualified under (F)(2) only
when its statutory definition necessarily involved the use or threat of
violence. This is a correct statement of the law, and a review of the
relevant statutes, pleadings, jury instructions, and verdicts leaves no
doubt that this aspect of (F)(2) is satisfied.
*fn3
The Judge noted the issue to be resolved is when a conviction
qualified for consideration for purposes of (F)(2) analysis. This issue
was addressed in State v. McKinney, in which we held:
A conviction occurs when the jury renders its verdict.... The
guiding principle in all these cases has been that the purpose of a
sentencing hearing is to determine the character and propensities of the
defendant and impose a sentence that fits the offender. The same
principles apply to the (F)(2) factor present in this case.... Thus, for
purposes of § 13-703 (F)(2), [defendant's] second degree murder
conviction occurred when the jury returned its verdict and was prior to
his capital sentencing hearing.
The same rationale applies in this case. Thus, the Judge correctly
found the existence of (F)(2) in connection with all four murders.
3. Multiple homicides -- § 13-703(F)(8)
The State argued that it had established the presence of § 13-703
(F)(8) in connection with the trailer park killings. In State v. Lavers,
168 Ariz. 376, 814 P.2d 333 we held that in determining whether (F)(8)
applied to a particular set of circumstances, we would "analyze 'the
temporal, spatial, and motivational relationships between the capital
homicide and the collateral [homicide], as well as...the nature of that
[homicide] and the identity of its victim.'" 168 Ariz. 376, 393, 814
P.2d 333, 350 (1991).
A situation similar to the case before us existed in State v.
Ramirez, 178 Ariz. 116, 871 P.2d 237 in which the defendant was
convicted of multiple homicides. We stated:
Defendant was convicted of two counts of premeditated first-degree
murder. The murders occurred in the same place and resulted from the
same disturbance. Moreover, both murders "were committed by [defendant]
in a relatively short period of time in what can be fairly viewed as one
continuous course of criminal conduct."
178 Ariz. 116, 130, 871 P.2d 237, 251 (1994).
Given Rogovich's continuous course of conduct, the Judge correctly
found this aggravating circumstance with respect to the trailer park
killings only.
C. Mitigating circumstances
Rogovich has the burden of proving any statutory or non-statutory
mitigating circumstances by a preponderance of the evidence. Kiles 175
Ariz. at 373, 857 P.2d at 1227; § 13-703(G). The death penalty is
required if at least one aggravating factor is found and the mitigating
circumstances are not sufficiently substantial to call for leniency. §
13-703(E). Rogovich offered a single statutory mitigating circumstance,
that his "capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to
conform his conduct to the requirements of the law was significantly
impaired" when he killed each of the four victims. § 13-703(G)(1). He
also offered five non-statutory mitigators: (1) dysfunctional home life
and difficult early years; (2) lack of serious prior record; (3) good
employment history; (4) good behavior while incarcerated; and (5)
admission of guilt and feeling of remorse. The Judge found that Rogovich
had proven all of the presented mitigators by a preponderance of the
evidence, except that he had not established that his capacity to
appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct was impaired. We agree with
each of the Judge's findings.
D. Weighing and sentencing
For the murder of Tekleberhan Manna, the Judge found that the (F)(2)
aggravating circumstance applied, as well as the six mitigating
circumstances. Balancing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances,
the Judge concluded that the mitigating circumstances were sufficiently
substantial to call for leniency. We agree.
For the murders of Rebecca Carreon, Phyllis Mancuso, and Marie
Pendergast, the Judge found three aggravating circumstances
*fn4 and
six mitigating circumstances. We believe the (F)(8) circumstance carries
the most weight. The Judge concluded that the mitigating circumstances
were not substantial enough to call for leniency in the trailer park
killings. We agree. Further, we do not believe the quality and magnitude
of the mitigating circumstances are sufficient to warrant leniency. A
life sentence would not be more appropriate under the circumstances of
this case.
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, we affirm Rogovich's convictions
and sentences.
STANLEY G. FELDMAN, Justice
Concurring
THOMAS A. ZLAKET, Chief Justice
CHARLES E. JONES, Vice Chief Justice
FREDERICK J. MARTONE, Justice
Justice James Moeller did not participate in the determination of
this matter.
*****
Opinion Footnotes
*fn1
However, it is important to note that we have also held that "if the
testifying expert merely acts as a conduit for another non-testifying
expert's opinion, the 'expert opinion' is hearsay and is inadmissible,
Rule 703 notwithstanding." Landstrom, 161 Ariz. at 148, 776 P.2d at 1074
(citing J. WEINSTEIN & M. BERGER, WEINSTEIN's EVIDENCE § 703[03], at
703-25 n. 23 (1988)).
*fn2 The
language of (F)(2) was amended in 1993 to read: "The defendant was
previously convicted of a serious offense, whether preparatory or
completed."
*fn3
Rogovich was convicted of aggravated assault under § 13-1203(A)(2) (A
person commits assault by "intentionally placing another person in
reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury....") and §
13-1204(A)(2) ("A person commits aggravated assault if such person
commits assault as defined in § 13-1203 under any of the following
circumstances:...If such person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous
instrument"). Thus, unlike State v. Fierro, 166 Ariz. 539, 550 n.9, 804
P.2d 72, 83 n.9 (1990), there appears to be no concern that Rogovich may
have committed an assault without the use or threat of violence, or
requisite mental state of intentionally or knowingly, thereby negating
the (F)(2) aggravator. See State v. McKinney, 185 Ariz. 567, 917 P.2d
1214 (1996).
*fn4 The
Judge avoided double counting, as do we. See Special Verdict at 11. The
Manna conviction satisfied the (F)(1) factor for the trailer park
killings. The (F)(8) factor is also applicable to to the trailer park
killings, as is the (F)(2) factor.