State v. GUNCHES

OPINION

BALES, Justice.

¶ 1 Aaron Brian Gunehes pleaded guilty to kidnapping and first degree murder and was sentenced to death for the murder. We have jurisdiction over this mandatory appeal under Article 6, Section 5(3) of the Arizona Constitution and Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) sections 13-4031 and 13-4033(A)(1) (2010).

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 1

¶ 2 In November 2002, Ted Price visited his ex-wife, Katherine Lecher, in Mesa, Arizona. Price planned to stay at Lecher’s apartment while waiting for a school grant. After about ten days, the two began fighting and Lecher told Price…