State of Arizona v. Aaron Brian Gunches

VICE CHIEF JUSTICE PELANDER,

opinion of the Court:

¶ 1 Aaron Brian Gunches was convicted of first degree murder and kidnapping and was sentenced to death. On appeal, we remanded for a new penalty phase trial on the murder conviction. State v. Gunches (Gunches I), 225 Ariz. 22, 27 ¶ 26, 234 P.3d 590, 595 (2010). A jury again returned a death verdict. This Court has jurisdiction over this automatic appeal pursuant to article 6, section 5(3), of the Arizona Constitution and A.R.S. §§ 13-755 and 13-4031. We affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

¶ 2 Gunches was charged with the first degree murder and kidnapping of…