State v. Rutledge

OPINION

RYAN, Justice.

¶ 1 Appellant, Sherman Rutledge, was convicted of aimed robbery, first degree murder of Ryan Harris and attempted second degree murder of Chase Clayton for events that occurred on May 13, 1997. Rutledge was sentenced to the maximum of twenty-one years for armed robbery and twenty-one years for attempted murder. He was sentenced to death for the murder. Direct appeal to this court is mandatory when the trial court imposes a sentence of death. Ariz. R.Crim. P. 26.15 and 31.2(b). We have jurisdiction under Article 6, Section 5(3) of the Arizona Constitution and Arizona…