State v. Holsinger

563 P.2d 888, 115 Ariz. 89, 1977 Ariz. LEXIS 297
CourtArizona Supreme Court
DecidedApril 14, 1977
Docket3402
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 563 P.2d 888 (State v. Holsinger) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Arizona Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Holsinger, 563 P.2d 888, 115 Ariz. 89, 1977 Ariz. LEXIS 297 (Ark. 1977).

Opinion

CAMERON, Chief Justice.

This is an appeal from a jury verdict and judgment of guilt to the crimes of first degree murder, A.R.S. §§ 13 — 451, -452, —453, with a sentence of death, A.R.S. § 13-453(A); conspiracy, first degree, A.R.S. §§ 13-331(A), with a sentence of 14 to 15 years; burglary, first degree, A.R.S. § 13-301, with a sentence of 14 to 15 years; and conspiracy, second degree, A.R.S. § 13-331(B), with a sentence of 3 to 4 years.

We must answer five questions on appeal:

1. Did the prosecution deliberately use false testimony resulting in prejudicial and reversible error?
2. Was the prosecution’s closing argument a comment upon defendant’s Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination?
3. Was the failure of the trial court to rule on defendant’s motion for judgment of acquittal at the close of the State’s case error?
4. Was the prosecution guilty of prosecutorial misconduct which resulted in the denial of a fair trial to the defendant?
5. Is the Arizona death penalty unconstitutional as applied to the defendant in this case?

The facts necessary for a determination of this matter on appeal are as follows. Dr. Harry Schornick, a semi-retired physician, and Golda Horton, defendant Wilmar Goodwin Holsinger’s mother-in-law, held a certificate of deposit in the amount of $24,700 in joint tenancy with the right of survivor-ship. It is the State’s theory of the case that this certificate of deposit provided the grounds for a motive in that if Dr. Schornick should die, Golda Horton would then have the money free and clear and conceivably it would then become available to defendant and his wife, Golda Horton’s daughter.

In the spring of 1975, the defendant and his wife contacted Gary Cagnina concerning the murder of Dr. Schornick. Cagnina in turn solicited a variety of people including Tim Anderson who, when told of the plans, refused to go along, and William St. Myers who later accompanied Cagnina one evening in an unsuccessful attempt to break into Dr. Schornick’s house. Finally, Wade Arnold agreed to accompany Cagnina to the house of Dr. Schornick. Cagnina had a gun provided by the defendant.

After spending several hours trying to enter the house, Cagnina and Arnold finally' gained entry in the early morning hours of 1 June 1975. Mrs. Theresa Bortz, Dr. Schornick’s housekeeper, was shot and killed and Dr. Schornick was wounded. Early the same morning, Cagnina and Arnold contacted the defendant who paid Cagnina $750 to leave town. Later Cagnina was given defendant’s car and some more money. It was defendant’s position that this was money for the purchase of drugs for himself and his wife. Cagnina testified that this was payment for the killing.

Cagnina, Anderson, St. Myers, and a Sue Simmons were granted immunity and testified against Holsinger at the trial. The jury returned a verdict of guilty and the trial court, after a hearing in compliance with A.R.S. § 13 — 454, by special verdict, found the existence of three of the aggravating circumstances outlined in A.R.S. § 13-454(E) and none of the mitigating circumstances as outlined in A.R.S. § 13- *92 454(F), and sentenced the defendant to death. From the verdicts and judgments of guilt and the sentence of death defendant appeals.

ANDERSON’S FALSE TESTIMONY

At the time of the preliminary hearing, Tim Anderson was represented by counsel. His attorney obtained immunity for him in exchange for his testimony, as well as an agreement with the County Attorney that he would receive probation for an unrelated charge of possession of heroin.

At the trial, Mr. Anderson testified for and on behalf of the State and on cross-examination the following transpired:

“Q Tell me, are you to receive anything for your testimony here today?
“A No, sir.
“Q Do you have any understanding with the County Attorney’s Office with respect to your testimony here today?
“A No, sir.
“Q There is no understanding at all?
“A No, sir.
“Q Are you aware of any type or correspondence having been sent to your attorney, Mr. Arrick, with respect to this case with respect to your testimony?
“A You mean by the County Attorneys and my lawyer?
“Q Yes.
“A No, sir.
“Q Isn’t it a fact that you are or there is an agreement entered into between yourself and/or Mr. Arrick and the County Attorney’s Office wherein the County Attorney has said they will not prosecute you for anything arising out of your testimony concerning this case; is that your understanding?
“A No, sir, I am not sure what you mean.
“Q Do you have any type of agreement with the County Attorney with respect to this case?
“A No, sir.”

Although the attorney who represented the State at the preliminary hearing was assisting the State at the time, the Deputy County Attorney trying the case asked the following questions:

“Q You haven’t asked for any deals for your testimony today, have you?
“A No, sir.
“Q And I haven’t offered you anything?
“A No, sir.”

Since the witness Anderson had been given immunity pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-1804, and since a plea agreement had been entered into whereby the witness Anderson was to be given probation on a heroin charge in return for his testimony, the answers on cross-examination and the questions and answers on redirect were misleading. It is the contention of the defendant that the actions of the County Attorney in standing by and letting a false impression go to the jury constituted misconduct on the part of the County Attorney and was prejudicial.

To test the motives of a witness for testifying by asking questions concerning any benefit he is to receive in return for his testimony is proper on cross-examination.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
563 P.2d 888, 115 Ariz. 89, 1977 Ariz. LEXIS 297, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-holsinger-ariz-1977.