# Petition — Mincey v. Arizona

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## Record

- **Collection:** Supreme Court brief
- **Document type:** Petition
- **Published:** January 1, 1978
- **Citation:** 437 U.S. 385

## Text

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

October Term, 1977

No. 7% -53 53

RECEIVED
AUG 2 9 1977

OFFICE OF THE CLERA
SUPREME COURT, U.S.

RUFUS JUNIOR MINCEY, Petitioner,

Vv.

STATE OF ARIZONA, Respondent.

PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI
TO THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA

Richard Oseran

16 BOLDING, OSERAN & ZAVALA
P. O. Box 70

La Placita Village

Tucson, Arizona 85702

18
19 Frederick S. Klein
Law Offices of Klein & Klein
20 Suite 306, 100 North Stone Avenue

Tucson, Arizona 85701

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The Petitioner, RUFUS JUNIOR MINCEY, respectfully prays that Self-Incrimination Clause of the Fifth Amendment, Right to Counsel

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a Writ of Certiorari issue to review the judgment and opinion of Clause of the Sixth Amendment and Due Process Clause of the Four-

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the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona entered in this case on teenth Amendment, the pertinent texts of which are as follows:

May 11, 1977, and made final by the order of the Supreme Court of Amendment IV:

"The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against un-
reasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio-
lated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probe-
ble cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched,
21 and the persons or things to be seized."

the State of Arizona, denying both parties’ motions for rehearing

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entered on June 28, 1977.

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OPINION BELOW

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The opinion of the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona,
filed May 11, 1977, is reported at Ariz. , 566 P.2a 273, 7 Amendment V:

"No person .. . shall be compelled in any

and is attached hereto as Appendix A. criminal case to be a witness against himself... ."

JURISDICTION | ; 24 || Amendment VI:

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall .
enjoy the right . .. to have the Assistance of
Counsel for his defense."

The judgment of the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona 25
was entered on May ll, 1977. A timely motiamfor rehearing was 26
denied on June 28, 1977, and this petition for certiorari was filed 27 || amendment XIV, Section I:

"(NJor shall any State deprive any person of life,

90) a of that date. This Court's jurisdiction is 28
ee eter liberty, or property, without due processof law. . . s*

. . . 1257 3 °
invoked under 28 U.S.C. § (3) STATEMENT OF THE CASE

' Arrest and Search

This Petition arises out of an incident in Tucson, Arizona,

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on October 28, 1974, in which an undercover police narcotics officer

1 1 || three wounded apartment occupants and Officer Headricks were tra: :-
2 || was mortally wounded. At approximately 2:00 p.m., on that date, 211 ported to the hospital, and the two remaininy occupants of the apart-
3 || undercover officer Barry Headricks went to an apartment leased by 31 ment were arrested ané taken tyey.
4 Petitioner, Rufus Mincey, accompanied by Charles Ferguson. officer 4 After the shootings, the narcotics officers did no investigatitgs
5 Headricks wore longish hair, a mustache, a flower print shist, 5 || they secured the scene, but waited for a special investigative
6 || cowboy boots, levis and a levi jacket to hide his true identity as 6 || team of police to arrive. The investigating officers searched
7 \| a police officer. After being admitted into the apartment, an ‘91 the premises and examined the scene over = four day sbeteé.. Shar
g || offer to sell narcotics allegedly was made for which Petitioner and 8 | started by “looking for narcotics paraphenalia" and in the course
g || Charles Ferguson were later charged. Headricks then left the apartr Ol of their search learned that Officer Neadricks hed died of his
10 || ment with the purported purpose of returning with money to pay for 10 || gunshot wounds. Investigators searched every room, every drawer
11

2 drugs. and every cupboard in the apartment, inventorying the entire con-

22 12 Headricks returned to the apartment with nine other plain i 18 1 cents of the apartment. Officers remained on duty, inl tenet Obes
rt } 13 || caothes officers and a deputy county attorney; they intended to g 13 premises secure until the search was completed. wo aaeitali tiiemaaell
a8 14 || enter the apartment by a ruse and thereafter to arrest the occupant ef 141 was chtained, and no reason was ettebed Gee Wot codhing cum. A
ys 15 of the apartment and seize any evidence. Headricks and another i 15 variety of evidence used inthe subsequent subcesetion was
5 16 || officer went to the apartment door with drawn guns hidden behind NET ctmelinnt ue 6 euasin ot te cue.
a 17 || their backs. The remaining officers and a deputy county attorney 501 ccduineitiidin
a5 1g || hid in the hallway on either side of the door with their guns a 18 Shortly after the shooting incident, while Petitioner was
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evidence obtained in the search and interrogation here challenged
was properly admitted. The court found that the search of
Petitioner's apartment did not come within the exigent circumstances
exception to the warrant requirement, but held that it was justi-

' fied by a "murder scene exception", discussed in more detail
hereafter. In so doing, the court expressly refused to follow the
decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circui

in Sample v. Eyman, 469 F.2d 819 (9th Cir. 1972). Further, the

court held that Petitioner's responses during his in-hospital
interrogation were voluntarily made and, therefore, were properly

admitted for impeachment under Harris v. New York, 401 U.S. 222

(1971). Both Petitioner and Respondent timely moved for rehearing
of the Arizona Supreme Court's opinion. Both motions were denied

on June 28, 1977.

ARGUMENT

ARGUMENT I
THE ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE OBTAINED INA
FOUR DAY WARRANTLESS SEARCH OF PETITIONER'S
APARTMENT AFTER THE APARTMENT HAD BEEN SECURED
BY POLICE VIOLATED PETITIONER'S RIGHTS UNDER
THE FOURTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE
CONSTITUTION.

The Arizona Supreme Court upheld the admission of evidence
which was the fruit of the warrantless, four day search of Mr.
Mincey's apartment. That court ruled the evidence admissible
under a state court created "murder scene exception", a warrant-
less search is lawful where (1) the search occurs at the scene
of a serious personal injury with likelihood of death, (2) there
is reason to suspect foul play, (3) law enforcement officers
were legally on the scene premises in the first instance, (4)
the search begins within a reasonable time after officials first

learn of the murder or potential murder, and (5) the search is

"limited [in scope] to determining the circumstances of death”.

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State v. Mincey, Ariz. , 566 P.2d 273, 283 (1977), slip

opinion at 23. The Court conceded that the search of Mr. Mincey's
apartment did not "fit within the usual ‘exigent circumstances’
exception and that there was ample time to secure a warrant".

Id., slip opinion at 22. Thus, if the Fourth Amendment does not
countenance Arizona's “murder scene exception", the search here
was unlawful and the evidence seized therein should have been

excluded. Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643 (1961).

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has
held the application of Arizona's "murder scene exception" contrary

to the dictates of the Fourth Amendment. Sample v. Eyman, 469

F.2d 819 (9th Cir. 1972). And the Arizona Supreme Court expressly

refused to follow the holding of the Ninth Circuit. State v-

Mincey, Ariz. , 566 P.2d 273, 283 & 283 n.4 (1977),

slip opinion at 22 and 22 n.4. Thus, unless this Court grants
certiorari, one rule of law will govern Arizona defendants who
are able to obtain review of their convictions by the Federal
Courts, and another will govern Arizona defendants who are denied

Federal review under Stone v. Powell, 428 U.S. 465 (1976).

A cogent summary of the principles governing availability of

exceptions to the search and seizure warrant requirement appears

in Coolidge v. New Hampshire.

"(T]he most basic constitutional rule in
this area is that ‘searches conducted outside wa
judicial process, without prior approval by
judge or magistrate, are se unreasonable
under the Fourth Amendment--subject only to
a few specifically established and well
delineated exceptions'. The exceptions are
‘jealously and carefully drawn', and there must
be 'a showing by those who seek exemption
. . . that the exigencies of the situation
made that course imperative’. ‘(T]he burden
is on those seeking the exemption to show the

need for it'". Coolidge v. New shire, 403
u.S. 443, 454-55 T1371) Fic wetees omitted).

See also, Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 219 (1973).

Again, this Court recently refused to expand the number and scope

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of exceptions to the warrant requirement in United States v.

Chadwick, 97 S.Ct. 2476 (1977), where the government sought

to expand the automobile exception. The principles there reinforced
are important to Mr. Mincey's case.

"(T]he Fourth Amendment ‘protects people,

not places .. .;' more particularly,

it protects people from unreasonable, government
intrusions into their legitimate expectations

of privacy." 97 S.Ct. at 2481 (citation
omitted).

"The judicial warrant has a significant

role to play in that it provides the detached
scrutiny of a neutral magistrate, which is

a more reliable safeguard against improper
searches than the hurried judgment of a law
enforcement officer ‘engaged in the often
competitive enterprise of ferreting out crime. '

. . . Once a lawful search has begun, it is

also far more likely that it will not exceed
proper bounds when it is done pursuant to a
judicial authorization ‘particularly describing
the place to be searched and the persons or
things to be seized.‘ Further, a warrant

assures the individual whose property is searched
or seized of the lawful authority of the executing
officer, his need to search, and the limits of
his power to search." 97 S.Ct. at 2482

(citation omitted).

"Even though on this record the issuance of

a warrant by a judicial officer was reasonably
predictable, a line must be drawn. In our view,
when no exigency is shown to support the need

for an immediate search, the Warrant Clause
places the line a the point where the property

to be searched comes under the exclusive dominion
of police authority." 97 S.Ct. at 2486.

Here, the search was of Mr. Mincey‘s residence, where an
individual's reasonable expectation of privacy has probably received
the longest and most consistent Fourth Amendment protection. The
degree of intrusion is manifested by the fact that the search ex-
tended over a four day period and included inventorying every item
in Mr. Mincey's apartment. Every room, drawer, cupboard, nook and

cranny was searched.

The search was remote from and not incident to an arrest withis

the meaning of Chimel v. California, 395 U.S. 752 (1969). It was
not justified by any exigent circumstances making the obtaining

LAPLACITA VILLAGE =: SUITE 402 TOLUCA BUILDING
PO. BOX 70 TUCSON, ARIZONA 65702 (602) 664-7100

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of a warrant impractical. Indeed, in Arizona, such circumstances
are rare since a judicial warrant may be obtained at any hour of
the day or night by telephonic communication. 5 Ariz. Rev. Stat.
Ann. §13-1444(c) (Supp. 1973). The searched premises were placed
under the exclusive dominion of police authority prior to the com-
mencement of the search.

Further, in this case, the Arizona Supreme Court offers no
explanation of the rationale for permitting a "murder scene excepti¢n"

and none is provided in State ex rel. Berger v. Superior Court,

110 Ariz. 281, 517 P.2d 1277 (1974). Indeed, the only explanation
ever offered by the Arizona Supreme Court for creating such an
exception was the argument that such warrantless searches were
justified by the "need for all citizens and particularly potential
victims such as this to effective protection from crime". State
v. Sample, 107 Ariz. 407, 410, 489 P.2d 44, 47 (1971), writ of

habeas corpus ordered conditionally granted, sub nom. Sample v.

Eyman, 469 F.2d 819 (9th Cir. 1972); see State v. Duke, 110 Ariz.

320, 324,518 P.2da 570, 574 (1974).

The Arizona Supreme Court has simply made an arbitrary deter-
mination that cases involving bodily injury are more serious than
other cases and require less attention to the protection of in-
dividual rights. If Arizona can make such a determination now, teh
in the future it or other jurisdictions can abolish the search
warrant requirement in cases of rape, espionage, treason, extortion)
kidnapping, terrorism, arson, counterfeiting, robbery and burglary,
each of which is a class of crimes posing serious threats to eT:

Who is to say which class of crimes is most serious? The
argument that more “effec ive" protection from crime is needed is
an argument which may be made against every restraint the Constitu-
tion imposes upon police authority in the interest of personal libetty
Moreover, the Arizona Supreme Court has never shown, and it could
not show, how its proposed exception to the warrant requirement would

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his bedroom, and after Mr. Mincey had been made aware that Headrick failure to inform a suspect of his right to counsel is a "significagt

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and his companions were police officers, and after Mr. Mincey had factor" in determining the voluntariness of a statement. E.g.,

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been advised that he was under arrest and was being charged with Davis v. North Carolina, 384 U.S. 737, 740 (1966). Even more

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murder of a police officer, Mr. Mincey knew that the commotion intimidating is the effect of having one's requests for counsel

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had resulted from a police "bust"; it did not indicate what his and that questioning be stopped repeatedly denied, frustrated or

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knowledge or state of mind was at the time of the break-in. ignored. See, e.g., Culombe v. Connecticut, 367 U.S. 566 (1961).

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RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this Z@ day of August

(1963).

Petitioner's lack of experience with the police is yet another

factor to be considered in determining voluntariness. E.g., Haley

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P. 0. Box 70

La Placita Village
Tucson, Az. 85702
Attorneys for Petitioner

v. Ohio, 332 U.S. 596 (1948).

Mr. Mincey was helpless. He could not walk away from the poli¢e

ZAVALA 0 80x 70 TUCSON, ARIZONA 85702 (602) 684-7100

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officer or even turn his back on him. He could not even speak to

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tell him to leave. He could only communicate by laborious writing. 22

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Attorneys for Petitioner

23 | wis strength was sapped by serious injury and surgery. He was in 23 Suite 306
| pain, weak and confused. He asked for counsel and to be left 24
| alone, but no one complied; no one came to his aid, not even the 25
one person he should have been able to turn to, his nurse. The 26
| questioning continued, unrelenting and without regard to his: pleas 27
| to stop or for counsel. The police officer would not leave Mr. 28
| Mincey alone until he received the statements he was seeking. 29
Clearly, Petitioner's will was overborne. The above-described 30

| factors cannot be considered circumstances assuring the voluntarine

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or trustworthiness of his statements. 32

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA

In Banc
STATE OF ARIZONA, )
) MAY 1 1 1977
Appellee, )
) CLERK SUPREME COURT
v. ») No. 3283 |,
) ——— |
RUFUS JUNIOR MINCEY, )
)
Appellant. )
)
)

Appeal from the Superior Court of Pima County
(Cause No. A-26666)

The Honorable Mary Anne Richey, Judge

Affirmed in Part and Reversed and Remanded in Part

GORDON,

Bruce E. Babbitt Phoenix
Attorney General

Heather A. Sigworth Tucson
Assistant Attorney General

Attorneys for Appellee

Rabinovitz, Minker & Dix, P.C. Tucson
By Albert Perry Dover

Bolding, Oseran & Zavala Tucson
By Richard S. Oseran

Attorneys for Appellant

Justice:

Appellant, Rufus Mincey, was convicted in a jury trial
of murder, first degree, in violation of A.R.S. §§ 13-
451, 13-452 and 13-453, assault with a deadly weapon in
violation of A.R.S. § 13-249 B, unlawful sale of narcotics
in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1002.02, unlawful possession of
narcotic drug for sale in violation of A.R.S. § 36-1002.01,
and unlawful possession of narcotic drug in violation of
A.R.S. § 36-1002. He was sentenced to serve a term of life
without possibility of parole until twenty-five year@ are
served for Count I; to serve not less than ten nor more
than fifteen years for Count II, to run concurrently with
the life sentence; to serve not less than five years nor
more than fifteen years for Count III, to run consecutively
to the life sentence; to serve not less than five years
nor more than six years for Count IV, to run concurrently
with Count III; to serve not less than two years nor more
than three years for Count V to run concurrently with Count
III. We have jurisdiction to review this judgment under
A.R.S. § 13-1711. The judgment of the trial court is re-

versed and remanded as to Counts I and II; judgment is af-

firmed as to Counts III, IV and V but remanded for resentencing.

This appeal arose out of a tragic incident in Tucson,
Arizona on October 28, 1974. It began with a planned "buy-
bust" by the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad, based origi-
nally on information from an informant. Although the testi-
mony conflicts in some areas, on appeal we view the evidence
in the light most favorable to upholding the verdict. The

facts for the purpose of this appeal are as follows:

. ag

Sometime around 2 p.m. on October 28, 1974 undercover
agent Barry Headricks of the Metropolitan Area Narcotics
Squad went to the apartment leased by appellant. Accompany~
ing Headricks was Charles Ferguson, the victim in the assault
with a deadly weapon charge. Headricks, according to testi-
mony, looked like a typical undercover narcotics officer:
mustache and longish hair, cowboy boots, levis and a levi
jacket. He also had an electronic monitering device 80
that the other agents could overhear what went on.

After Headricks and Ferguson were admitted, a deal
was made for the sale of a specified amount of narcotics
and both appellant and Ferguson were charged with this
sale. While in the apartment Headricks saw a gun in the
possession of another man (probably Ferguson) in appellant's
apartment. (Also in the apartment was appellant's girl-
friend. When the agents returned later there were two more
people in the apartment.) Headricks then left the apartment
with the purported purpose of returning with the money to
pay for the drugs. Actually Headricks met 4 fellow agent

and they and eight other officers prepared to carry out the

1/

prearranged plan to consummate the "buy-bust”.

Headricks and another agent (Schwartz), purportedly
his "money man", went up to the door of the apartment with
drawn guns hidden behind their backs. Eight other agents
and a deputy county attorney were to be waiting with drawn
guns out of sight of the doorway; in fact John Hodgman, who
opened the door, apparently saw the other agents and tried
to close the door. Headricks knocked onthe door and when
the door opened he announced that it was the police, according
to one officer's testimony. Hodgman tried to close the door
as Headricks slipped into the apartment. Agent Schwartz
prevented the door from closing and he and other agents
forced entry. As the door was forced back, Hodgman was

pushed partly through the wall behind the door. Schwartz

1/ A “buy-bust" occurs when the undercover agent or agents
make contact with a person who allegedly has illegal drugs
for sale and make an offer to buy. If the agent sees the

drugs or has enough information to be sure that the person
does have the drugs, then an arrest is made. Commonly, at
here, the plan is for the agent to leave momentarily and

then a number of agents will come back to make the arrests.
The usual plan is for the original undercover agent to get
the door opened using his undercover identity and then the

rest of the agents rush in.

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and at least one other agent held Hodgman to the ground and
handcuffed him. Schwartz pointed his gun at a woman who was
in the room and told her “police, freeze". Moments later
another agent pointed his gun at her and, in more obscene
terms, told her to freeze or he'd blow her head off. At some
time during these occurrences, 4 number of shots in rapid
succession could be heard coming from the bedroom at the

back of the apartment which Headricks had entered. It was
later shown that both men emptied their guns shooting at

each other. (One bullet, later shown to be from appellant's.
gun, came through the wall and grazed Ferguson's head where
he was being held at gunpoint against the wall by another
agent. Both men went down to the floor. This incident was
the basis of the assault with a deadly weapon charge.) Shortly
after the shooting stopped, Headricks came out of the bedroom,
said something like “he's down,” and fell to the ground. Some
agents ran to Headricks to give aid and someone called for
emergency assistance. Meanwhile Agent Fuller went to the
bedroom door and yelled "police officer, freeze” or “come

. ~" or something of that nature. Fuller testified that he
saw a movement on the other side of the bed and then nothing
more. Fuller and another agent entered the room, proceeding
along the side walls. Fuller saw a woman lying on 4 closet
floor and asked her if she was all right. When she said no —

he told her to stay there and help would come soon. Fuller

then crawled across the bed and found appellant lying on

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his back on the far side of the bed, with no visible wounds
and with an automatic pistol under his hand. Appellant
failed to respond to speech or to being prodded with Fuller's
pistol. When the agents tried to move Mincey they saw blood
underneath him and so they left him there until the ambulance
came.

No weapons other than the pistol found near appellant's
hand were found on any of the suspects. That weapon, 4 Llama
380 semi-automatic, was found to be empty when one of the
agents examined it. Three other weapons were found in the
living room during a subsequent search. Headricks' police
special .38 revolver was also empty and was later shown to
be the weapon which made those bullet holes not shown to
have been caused by appellant's gun. When Headricks was taken
out on a stretcher, a small semi-automatic pistol was found
on the floor under where his body had been. Testimony at
trial speculated that he had been carrying this second pistol
in his belt at his back as is a common practice among under-
cover narcotics agents. The presence of the fourth pistol
was not explained at trial, but it apparently had not been
recently fired.

After the shootings, the narcotics agents did no
investigating but waited for a special investigative team
in accordance with Tucson Police Department procedure. The
investigating officers searched the ovenises and examined

the scene over a period of four days. No search warrant

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was obtained and no reason appears for not seeking one. Al-
though no witness was absolutely sure, the officers apparently
learned of Headricks' death after the search of the scene
began.

Three or four hours after appellant arrived at the
hospital emergency room, Officer Hunt interrogated him in
the intensive care unit. Appellant was being fed intraven-
ously, had a tube down his throat giving him oxygen to help
him breathe, a tube in his nose down into his stomach to
keep him from vomiting, and a catheter tube to his bladder.

A nurse in the intensive care unit allowed the police officer
to question appellant although appellant was unable to talk
and had to answer by writing notes. Some of these answers
were used in an attempt to impeach appellant by prior incon-
sistent statements at trial. Appellant was in pain but there
is no evidence that he was sufficiently under the influence
of medication to render his statements involuntary and inad-
missible.

The interrogation began with questions concerning
another wounded suspect. Then appellant learned he was
charged with killing a police officer and was given his
Miranda rights. The trial court granted appellant's motion
to suppress this interview as to its use in the prosecution's
case in chief but allowed its use for impeachment purposes.
The intercogation lasted about one hour but the officer

twice stopped the questioning when appellant either fell

asleep or lapsed into unconsciousness.

On November 1, 1974 appellant was charged in a five-
count indictment and on June 12, 1975 a jury returned guilty
verdicts on all five counts. Appellant's motions for acquittal
notwithstanding the verdict and for a new trial were denied
and sentence was imposed on July 15, 1975. Thereafter ap-
pellant filed a timely notice of appeal to this Court.

Appellant raises a number of issues which we have re-
arranged and reworded so as to deal with them more concisely:

1. Did the jury instructions present an incorrect mens __
rea requirement for murder “committed in avoiding or preventing
lawful arrest" ( A.R.S. § 13-452), thereby compelling reversal?

2. Was it reversible error to permit the state to im-
peach appellant with statements made by him while he was in
the hospital intensive care unit?

3. Was it reversible error to admit evidence that
appellant had falsified information on the federal firearms
form for appellant's pistol?

4. Was it reversible error to admit statements made
by appellant two and one-half months before the incident?

5. Was it reversible error to deny defendant's motion
to suppress on the basis of an illegal entry in violation of
A.R.S. § 13-1411?

6. Was it reversible error to deny appellant's motion
to suppress on the basis of an illegal warrantless search?

7. Was it reversible error to deny appellant's motion

to sever the murder count from the other counts in the indict-

ment?

8. Was the prosecutor's conduct in closing arg.ment

so inflammatory as to deny appellant a fair trial?

Mens Rea for the Murder Charge

Appellant was charged with murder "which is committed
in avoiding or preventing lawful arrest", A.R.S. § 13-452.

He.alleges error in terms of the propriety of certain jury

instructions but the underlying issue concerns the mens rea
required for this kind of murder. This is an issue of first
impression before our Court.

One challenged instruction reads:

"If a person has knowledge, or by the

exercise of reasonable care should have

knowledge, that he is being arrested

by a peace officer, it is the duty of
such a person to refrain from using
force (or any weapon) to resist such
arrest.

"However, if you find that the peace
officer used excessive force in making
the arrest, it is not the duty of such
person to refrain from using reasonable
force to defend himself against the use

of such excessive force." (Emphasis added.)

The other challenged instruction reads:

"A person who knows or has reason to know

that he is being illegally arrested may
use such force, short of taking life,

as is necessary to regain his liberty.

A person resisting an illegal arrest

may use only that force reasonably neces-
sary to effect that purpose.

"A person who knows_or has reason to know

that he is being lawfully arrested has a
duty to refrain from using any force to
resist arrest." (Emphasis added.)
We agree that these instructions do not present the

proper mens rea or scienter requirement for this kind of

first degree murder. The provision of A.R.S. § 13-452 under
which appellant was charged does not expressly provide a
scienter requirement. The rule, barring a few exceptions, is

that wrongful intent or mens rea is required before there can

be criminal punishment. State v. Cutshaw, 7 Ariz.App. 210,
437 P.2d 962 (1968); Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494,
71 $.Ct. 857, 95 L.Ed. 1137 (1951). The exceptions occur
only when the legislative power has expressly so determined,
as where criminal negligence takes the place of the intent
requirement. State v. Chalmers, 100 Ariz. 70, 411 P.2d 448
(1966). Where the penal statute fails to expressly state

the necessary element of scienter, this Court may infer the

scienter requirement from the words of the statute plus legis-
lative intent. State v. Berry, 101 Ariz. 310, 419 P.2d 337
(1966).

We hold that the scienter requirement for first degree
murder “which is committed in avoiding or preventing lawful
arrest," A.R.S. § 13-452, ite knowledge that the victim was a
law enforcement officer. That is, a defendant is guilty under
§ 13-452 if the murder is committed while knowingly avoiding
or preventing a lawful arrest. This holding is based on the
words of the statute and the legislative intent.

The words of this provision are similar to A.R.S. §
13-541 A, Resisting, delaying, coercing or obstructing public
officer. This statute uses both the terms "wilfully" and
"knowingly" in various provisions. We agree with the Court
of Appeals that § 13-541 requives knowledge on the part of
the defendant that the other person is a public officer. State
v. Tages, 10 Ariz.App. 127, 457 P.2d 289 (1969). It is logical
to assume the Legislature intended a similar knowledge require-
ment in § 13-452.

Even more pesounetes ie the fact that we are dealing
with a first degree murder statute which carries the most
drastic penalty in our system of criminal justice -- death.
Such a penalty has traditionally required criminal intent

as the mens rea, and a lesser mental state such as criminal

negligence is covered in a manslaughter statute. E.g., A.R.S.

§ 13-456. Our statute defining first degree murder, K.AR.S.

§ 13-452, was amended in 1973 to add the avoiding or preventing
lawful arrest provision. Preceeding this provision is the pro-
vision for wilful, deliberate or premeditated killing and fol-
lowing it is the felony murder provision. The first provision
by its terms requires scienter, and the felony murder provision
requires an intent to commit the underlying felony. State v.
Akins, 94 Ariz. 263, 383 P.2d 180 (1963).

In this context the Legislature would not have intended
the death penalty for a negligent killing nor would they have
intended strict liability for killing a police officer even
where the facts otherwise objectively show justifiable homi-
cide. A knowledge requirement for first degree murder com-
mitted in avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest is mandated.

In fact, the jury was given a proper instruction be-
cause the trial court modified the state's requested jury in-
struction by adding the word "“knowingly:"

"A murder which is perpetrated by lying

in wait or by any other kind of wilful,

deliberate and premeditated killing, or

which is perpetrated in knowingly avoiding

a lawful arrest is murder in the first

degree." (Emphasis added.)
So the issue is analogous to our recent decision in State v.
Rodriguez, ___Ariz. ___, 560 P.2d 1238 (1977): conflicting
jury instructions were given concerning the intent or mens

tea necessary for conviction.

In Rodriguez we concluded under the facts of that case

that the incorrect instruction was not so prejudicial as tc

require reversal. Two crucial facts in this determination
were that other than the reading of the instructions, the
incorrect instruction was never mentioned to the jury and

that the correct intent requirement was "brought home force-
fully to the jury in closing arguments no less than six times."
State v. Rodriguez, ___ Ariz. at ___, 560 P.2d at 1241.

The situation was exactly the opposite at appellant's
trial. In closing argument the prosecutor emphasized the
incorrect instruction, discussing it at least twelve times.
The case went to the jury on an alternative theory of neg-
ligence ("knew or by exercise of reasonable care should have
known"). Under these circumstances we have no way of knowing
on what basis the jur determined appellant's guilt. Conviction
under the avoiding arrest section of A.R.S. § 13-452 requires
that the jury find the defendant acted knowingly. The jury
here could have rendered a guilty verdict on the basis of
negligence rather than knowledge.

For the foregoing reasons, we find the giving of the
challenged instructions was prejudicial and reversible error.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court as to Count I
(murder, first degree) is reversed. Because the convictton
on Count II (assault with a deadly weapon) may involve the
same issues discussed supra, the judgment as to Count Il
is also reversed.

Statements in Intensive Care Unit
Under the circumstances described, supra, appellant

was interrogated while in the Intensive Care Unit of the

2/
University of Arizona Hospital. Miranda warnings were

given, but after each indication from appellant that he
wanted to consult an attorney or that he wanted to stop
answering questions, the police officer continued to question
appellant.

The United States Supreme Court held in Miranda v.
Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694
(1966) that police must cease questioning when the suspect
indicates he wishes to assert his right to remain silent or
his right to an attorney. This mandate was recently affirmed
in Michigan v. Mosley, 423 U.S. 96, 96 S.Ct. 321, 46 L.Ed.2d
313 (1975) and Oregon v. Haas, 420 U.S. 714, 95 S.Ct. 1215,
43 L.Ed.2d 570 (1975); cf. Brewer v. Williams, No. 74-1263
(U.S., Mar. 23, 1977). Statements made in violation of
this rule are not admissible in the prosecution's case in
chief but may be used for impeachment purposes (if the
defendant takes the stand at trial) so long as traditional
standards of voluntariness and trustworthiness are met. Oregon

v. Haas, supra; Harris v. New York, 401 U.S. 222, 91 §.Ct.

643, 28 L.Ed.2d 1 (1971).

Prior to trial appellant made a motion to suppress
the statements he made while being interrogated at the hos-
pital, arguing their inadmissibility for all purposes because
of violations of the requirement of Miranda and because of

lack of voluntariness. A hearing was held as required by

2/ Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d

94 (1966).

a2

State v. Owen, 96 Ariz. 274, 394 P.2d 206 (1964), and testi-
mony and oral ergument were heard by the trial court. The
court granted appellant's motion as to use of the statements
in the prosecution's case in chief but denied the motion as
to use for impeachment purposes.

The court did not make a specific finding as to the
voluntariness of the statements. In 1964 the United States
supreme Court held that before a confession can be admitted
into evidence, the trial judge must hold a hearing outside
the presence of the jury and make a clear finding of volun-
tariness. Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368, 84 S.Ct. 1774,

12 L.Ed.2d 908 (1964). Since then this Court has consistently
held that failure to make a definite ruling on voluntariness
before admission requires either a remand for the trial court
to make such a finding or teversal unless the admission of

the evidence itself was harmless error. State v. Marovich,
109 Ariz. 45, 504 P.2d 1268 (1973). This rule applies here

because for the purposes of compliance with Jackson v. Denno,

supra, there is no difference between confessions and admissions.

State v. Owen, supra.

We stated in Marovich, supra, in dictum that denial
of a motion to suppress could be tantamount to a finding of
voluntariness where it is clear the trial court understood
Jackson v. Denno and merely worded the ruling badly. We
believe such a situation occurred here. Under the circumstances
of this case, it is clear that a finding of voluntariness under-
lies the trial court's ruling and therefore the lack of auch

a specific finding is not reversible error.

In this case the prosecutor told the trial court that
he did not intend to use these statements in his case in
chief, and so his only argument at the hearing was that the
statements were voluntary and admissible for impeachment
purposes. The United States Supreme Court rule described
supra is that to be admitted for impeachment purposes state-
ments which violated Miranda must pass traditional voluntari-
ness and trustworthiness standards. In the context of this
case, the trial court's decision to exclude the statements
in question for purposes of the prosecution's case in chief
but to admit them for impeachment purposes can be based only
on an underlying decision that tne statements violate Miranda
but do not offend traditional st ndards of voluntariness.

We hold the failure to make specific findings, although error,
is not reversible error under the specific circumstances
of this case.

In addition to the problem of the lack of a specific
finding of voluntariness appellant urges this Court to find
reversible error because the statements were not in fact
voluntary. It is well settled that the trial court's deter-
mination of the admissibility of a defendant's statement will
not be overturned unless clear and manifest error appears.
E.g. State v. Edwards, 111 Ariz. 357, 529 P.2d 1174 (1975).
We look to the totality of the circumstances to decide if
the statements were properly admitted. State v. Miller, 110
Ariz. 597, 522 P.2d 23, cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1004, 95 S.Ct 325,
42 L.Ed.2d 281 (1974). The evidence in this case is suf-

ficient to support the determination of the trial court.

eee eee ——™” ee 7

There was testimony that the nurse in the intensive
care unit gave the police officer permission to interrogate
appellant and that she was present during the interrogation.
She testified that she had not given appellant any medication
and that appellant was alert and able to understand the officer's

questions. She also testified that neither mental or physical

force nor abuse was used on appellant. She said that appellant

was in moderate pain_but was very cooperative with everyone.

The interrogating officer also testified that appellant did

not appear to be under the influence of drugs and that ap- 3/
pellant's answers were generally responsive to the questions.
The officer testified that he used no force or coercion, neither

mental or physical. Nor were any promises made. On the ba-

sis of this testimony the admission of the statements for

impeachment purposes was hot azn abuse of discretion.
Appellant also makes some arguments concerning whether
the impeaching statements are sharply contradictory to his
testimony. These arguments go to the weight and not the ad-
missibility of the evidence.
For the foregoing reasons we uphold the trial court's

determination of the admissibility for impeachment purposes

3/ We might add at this point the fact that appellant was able
to write his answers in a legible and fairly sensible fashion

provides further support for the trial court's determination.

elfe

of appellant's statements made while in the hospital.

Admission of Federal Firearms Form

Appellant argues that admission of the federal firearms
form on which he falsely denied he was a heroin addict is
improper and inadmissible impeachment by prior misconduct
and is irrelevant as well. Appellant admits in his brief,
however, that it would be admissible to show intent, citing
State v. Schmid, 107 Ariz. 191, 484 P.2d 187 (1971). It
would also be admissible, of course, to impeach appellant
by a prior inconsistent statement. Both of these bases for
admission apply here and the evidence is, therefore, relevant
also.

One aspect of the prosecution's case was to attempt to
show that appellant had been planning to shoot any police
officer who might "hassle" him, thereby negating appellant's
self-defense claim. Appellant testified that he thought he
had purchased the pistol used in the shooting some three
or four weeks prior to the time he had actually purchased
it. The implication of that part of his testimony was that
the gun had been purchased with no specific purpose. The
firearm form was introduced to show that it had been purchased
very shortly before the shooting. Cross-examination of ap-
pellant also brought out the fact that appellant felt he
would be unable to purchase a gun legally unless he lied about
being a heroin addict. It is clear that admission of the

firearms form is relevant both to the intent issue and to

contradict appellant as to date of purchase, and it was ad-
mitted for these purposes.

Appellant also argues that even if this evidence is
admissible, it is so highly prejudicial that its admission
is reversible error. State v. Little, 87 Ariz. 295, 350
P.2d 756 (1960). The evidence here, however, is not highly
prejudicial. The jury already knew that appellant was a
heroin addict because of his testimony. Evidence of falsi-
fication of a federal firearms form is not sufficiently

prejudicial to render inadmissible evidence admissible on

two other valid grounds. The admission of this evidence

was proper.

Statements Made Two and One Half Months Earlier
Appellant challenges the admission of a witness'
testimony concerning a conversation which occurred two
and one half months prior to the shooting. The witness
testified that appellant said he planned to buy 4 sawed-
off shotgun in case anyone hassled him or in case the pigs
hassled him. Appellant, citing Wigmore on Evidence, §§
394-396, argues that this statement concerning his mental
state is inadmissible because (1) it is not a threat against
a specific class, (2) there is no showing of a continuing
mental state until the time of the shooting, and (3) the
shooting incident was not a manifestation of the statement.

The statement in question can reasonably be interpreted

as a threat against a specific class: police. Appellant

does not argue there is any ambiguity in the meaning of the

term "pigs". That people in general were also included does
not take away from the specificity of "pigs".

It is well settled that remoteness in time does not con-
trol admissibility of such evidence but rather is a factor
to be considered by the jury in determining the weight of
the evidence. Sparks v. State, 19 Ariz. 455, 171 P. 1182
(1918); State v. Moore, 111 Ariz. 355, 529 P.2d 1172 (1974).
It is impossible to set definitive guidelines as to the time
limits for evidence of a continuing state of mind. In State
v. Moore, supra, we upheld admission of two statements made
eighteen months and one year prior to the incident at issue.
The time period here is, of course, much less remote and
admission of the statement was proper. It is within the
jury's province to determine the weight of such evidence.

Similarly, so long as it is a reasonable inference,
it is within the jury's province to decide if the shooting
incident is a manifestation of the earlier statement. In
this case one reasonable inference from the evidence is
that the shooting was a manifestation of appellant's earlier
statement. The fact that belief in appellant's defense theory
would lead one to the opposite inference does not create re-
versible error or, indeed, any error at all.

Appellant raises some other points but they all go to
the weight of the evidence and that is not an issue on appeal.
We hold the admission of the prior statement proper.

A.R.S. § 13-1411

Appellant argues that the arrest was illegel due to

noncompliance with A.R.S. § 13-1411 and therefore his motion
to suppress all evidence should have been granted. A.R.S. §
13-1411 provides:

"§ 13-1411. Right of officer to break

into building
"An officer, in order to make an arrest

either by virtue of a warrant, or when

authorized to make such arrest for a felony

without a warrant, as provided in § 13-1403,

may break open a door or window of any building

in which the person to be arrested is or is

reasonably believed to be, if the officer is

refused admittance after he has announced his

authority and purpose."

There was sufficient evidence for the trial court to

find that A.R.S. § 13-1411 had been complied with. One officer

testified that he heard Officer Headricks say police or some-
thing like that when the door was first opened. There was
also testimony that at least one other officer announced his
authority during the time the officers were trying to push
open the door after it had been almost shut. Under all the
circumstances of this case there can be no doubt rhat the
person answering the door, when told it was the police, also
knew their purpose. If one is in the midst of a drug buy,
when the buyer announces that he is 4 police officer, his

purpose is hard to misconstrue.

-21-

Appellant also discusses Headricks' entry into ap-
pellant's bedroom. That entry is relevant to the self-
defense issue but not to A.R.S. § 13-1411 which deals only
with breaking into a building not with actions after entry.

We uphold the trial court's denial of the motion to
suppress regarding A.R.S. § 13-1411.

Warrantless Search

Appellant argues that the warrantless search of his
apartment was illegal in violation of the Fourth Amendment
of the United States Constitution. He alleges--correctly
--that there were not sufficient facts to fit within the
usual "exigent circumstances" exception and that there was
ample time to secure a warrant. Thus the issue is whether
this Court will adhere to its previous rulings which hold
the search of a murder scene under certain circumstances
to be a valid exception to the constitutional warrant re-
quirement. State v. Sample, 107 Ariz. 407, 489 P.2d 44

4/
(1971); State v. Superior Court, 110 Ariz. 281, 517 P.2d

4/ The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
disagreed, Sample v. Eyeman, 469 F.2d 819 (9th Cir. 1972).
There are, however, a number of other jurisdictions with some
sort of murder scene exception: e.g., Stevens v. State, 443
P.2d 600 (Alaska 1968), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 1039, 89 S.Ct.
662, L.Ed.2d (1989) ; People v. Wallace, 31 Cal.App. 3d
865, 107 Cal. Rptr. 659 (1973); Patrick v. State, 227 A.2d
486 (Del. 1967); State v. Chapman, 250 A.2d 203 (Me. 1969);
State v. Oakes, 276 A.2d 18 (Vt.), cert. denied, 404 U.S.
965, 92 S.Ct. 340, 30 L.Ed.2d 285 (1971); Longuest v. State,
495 P.2d 575 (Wyo.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 1006, 93 S.Ct.
438, 34 L.Ed.2d 299 (1972). Contra, People v. Williams, 557
P.2d 404 (Colo. 1976). The United States Supreme Court has
not disapproved of any of these decisions.

-22-

1277 (1974); State v. Duke, 110 Ariz. 320, §18 P.2d 570 (1974).
After reviewing this issue we are reaffirming our rule.
We will set some guidelines, however, because we support the
principle that "[s]earches conducted without a warrant issued
upon probable cause are ‘per se unreasonable * * * subject only
to a few specifically established and well-delineated exceptions. '
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 at 219, 93 S.Ct. 2041,
at 2043, 36 L.Ed.2d 854, at 858 (1973)."" State v. Sardo, 112
Ariz. 509, 543 P.2d 1138 (1975). With the guidelines, intra,
in this opinion, search of a murder scene is such a “specifically
established and well-delineated exception.”
We hold a reasonable, warrantless search of the scene of
a homicide -- or of a serious personal injury with likeli-
hood of death where there is reason to suspect foul play --
does not violate the Fourth Amendment to the United States
Constitution where the law enforcement officers were legally
on the premises in the first instance. We chose not to limit
this warrant requirement exception only to actual murders be-
cause immediate action may be important to determining the
circumstances of death and because a4 reasonable search should
not later be invalidated because the intended murder victim
may be saved by a medical miracle. For the search to be rea~
sonable, the purpose must be limited to determining the cir-
cumstances of death and the scope must not exceed that purpose.
The search must also begin within a reasonable period following

the time when the officials first learn of the murder (or po-

tential murder). Cf. State v. Duke, supra.

-23-

We find the search of appellant's apartment falls
within the murder scene exception to the Fourth Amendment
warrant requirement. Although Officer Headricks may not
have been dead before the search began, it was reasonable
to believe that death was likely and that a murder charge
was a possibility. The search was aimed at establishing
the circumstances of death (bullet trajectories, e.g.) and
included evidence relevant to motive and intent or knowledge
(marcotics, e.g.). The search began when the investigative
unit arrived, in accordance with Police Department procedures.
For these reasons, the search was legal and the trial court's
denial of appellant's motion to suppress was proper.

Severance of the Murder Count

Appellant argues it was prejudicial, reversible error
for the trial court to deny his motion to sever the murder
count from the other counts listed in the indictment. We

find no error. So long as the determination is within the

guidelines of Rule 13.3 for joinder and Rule 13.4 for severance,

of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, 17 A.R.S., it is within
the trial court's discretion to deny appellant's motion. E.g.,
State v. Williams, 108 Ariz. 382, 499 P.2d 97 (1972); State
v. Buggs, 108 Ariz. 425, 501 P.2d 9 (1972).
We find Rule 13.3(a)(2) controlling as to joinder in
this situation:
“Rule 13.3 Joinder
"A. Offenses. Provided that each is

stated in a separate count, 2 or more offenses

=2b4e

may be joined in an indictment, information,
or complaint, if they:
* * *

"(2) are based on the same conduct or are
otherwise connected together in their commission
kee"

The murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and drug charges
were all part of a continuing series of events, and are
“otherwise connected together in their commission." Cf.
State v. Tynes, 95 Ariz. 251, 389 P.2d 125 (1964).
Rule 13.4(a) provides the standard for severance:
"Rule 13.4 Severance
"A. In General. Whenever 2 or more

offenses or 2 or more defendants have been

joined for trial, and severance of any or

all offenses, or of any or all defendants,

or both, is necessary to promote a fair

determination of the guilt or innocence

of any defendant of any offense, the court

may on its own initiative, and shall on

motion of a party, order such severance.

* * *
This Court will reverse the denial of a motion to sever only
when a clear abuse of discretion is shown. State v. Dale, 113
Ariz. 212, 550 P.2d 83 (1976).
No such abuse of discretion, i.e. prejudice, can be

shown here because the evidence as to the other counts would

have been admissible at the murder trial even if severance had

been granted. The evidence would be admissible on two bases:
as relevant to the issue of intent and as part of the complete
picture. State v. Schmid, supra; State v. Villavicencio, 95
Ariz. 199, 388 P.2d 245 (1964).

Since we find no prejudice, we hold the denial of the

motion to sever was proper.

Prosecutor's Closing Argument

Appellant points to a single statement in the prosecutor's
closing argument and argues that it is so inflammatory and preju-
dicial as to deprive him of a fair trial:

"Don't tell every heroin pusher in town
that he can have a gun; that he can have
it loaded; that he can shoot a pig if
he feels hassled and that all he need
do, is take the witness stand and say,
‘Yes, sir; no sir,’ and claim that he
had no idea that he was shooting a cop."

The rule in Arizona is that counsel may draw reasonable
inferences from and appraise evidence which was adduced at
trial. State v. King, 110 Ariz. 36, 514 P.2d 1032 (1973).

The statement in question is based on the evidence.
There was testimony that appellant was a heroin dealer, that
he had a loaded gun, that he shot a police officer, and his
defense was that he had no idea that he was shooting 4 police
officer. It is a reasonable inference, if the evidence pointing
to appellant's guilt is believed, that acquitting appellant might

indicate to other heroin sellers that they could get away the f
sentence for Count III was to rum con
a Ae os re secutively to that
ount IV and V were concurrent with III eman
The problem with the prosecutor's statement is that it po wer sates
on Counts III, IV and V for resentencing.
is an emotional appeal to the jury's fears. Although in

closing argument both counsel have wide latitude, State

FRANK X. GORDON, JR.

vy. Landrum, 112 Ariz. 555, 544 P.2d 664 (1976), such an
Justice
appeal .to fear is improper. Cf. State v. Makal, 104 Ariz.
CONCURRING:

476, 455 P.2d 450 (1969); State v. Huson, 73 Wa.2d 660, 440
P.2d 192 (1968), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 1096, 89 S.Ct. 886,

L.Ed.2d (1969). We need not determine, however, JAMES DUKE CAMERON
5 oe ne gay Chief Justice

whether it was so prejudicial as to require reversal because

we are reversing on other grounds, supra. If the murder and

assault charges are retried on remand, we urge counsel to FRED C. STRUCKMEYER, JR.
Vice Chief Justice

refrain from appeals to juror's fears.

Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial
court as to Counts I (murder, first degree) and II (assault
with a deadly weapon) is reversed and remanded for proceedings
consistent with this opinion. The judgment of the trial court
as to Counts III, IV and V (unlawful sale of narcotics, un-
lawful possession of narcotic drug for sale and unlawful

possession of narcotic drug, respectively) is affirmed. Because

-28-

HAYS, specially concurring.

I concur with the majority in all respects except
that I take exception to the characterization of the county
attorney's statement in argument 4s being "an emotional
appeal to the jury's fears." If oral argument at the
close of the case is to have any purpose, it must be more
than a dull and sterile discussion of the evidence. The
condemned statement is based on the evidence and the
inference drawn therefrom is reasonable. It does not

deprive the defendant of legitimate defenses nor does it

exceed the bounds of propriety.

JACK D. A. HAYS
Justice

I concur.

WILLIAM A. HOLOHAN

Justice

Phoentx

Appellant.

85007 June 29, 1977.
)
)
STATE OF ARIZONA, )
)
Appellee, ) Supreme Court

) No. 3283
vs. )
)

RUFUS JUNIOR MINCEY, ) Pima County

) No. 26666
)
)
)
)

The following action was taken by the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona

on June 28, 1977 in regard to the above-entitied cause:

“ORDERED: Motion for Rehearing (Attorney General) = DENIED.

FURTHER ORDERED: Motion for Rehearing (Appellant) = DENIED."

Copy of Order Affirming in Part and Reversing and Remanding
in Part enclosed.

— ora

TO: Hon. Bruce E. Babbitt, Attorney General, 159 Capitol Building,

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Heather A. Sigworth, Assistant Attorney General, 100 North Stone,
Suite 1005, Tucson, Arizona 85701

Stephen D. Neely, Pima County Attorney, 111 West Congress,
Tucson, Arizona 85701 mS

Richard S. Oseran, Esq., Bolding, Oseran & Zavala, P. O. Box 70,
La Placita Village, Tucson, Arizona 85702

“ Prederick S$. Klein, Esq., Klein & Klein, 100 North Stone,

Suite 306, Tucson, Arizona 85701

Rufus Junior Mincey, Arizona State Prison, Box B-34490,
Florence, Arizona 85232

mm 17 Recd

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40385005_0815%3A1. Public record. Not legal advice.
