Waldrop v. State

• Decision Date: 29 November 1983
• Docket Number: 7 Div. 133
• Citation: 459 So.2d 953
• Parties: Billy Wayne WALDROP v. STATE.
• Court: Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals

Page 953

459 So.2d 953

Billy Wayne WALDROP v. STATE.

7 Div. 133.

Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama.

Nov. 29, 1983.

Rehearing Denied Jan. 10, 1984.

Hank Fannin and R.D. Pitts, Talladega, for appellant.

Charles A. Graddick, Atty. Gen., and William D. Little, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee.

HUBERT TAYLOR, Judge.

Appellant, Billy Wayne Waldrop, was convicted of robbery-murder in violation of § 13A-5-40, Code of Alabama 1975, and sentenced to death. This appeal follows.

The first issue is whether the trial court committed reversible error by not granting Waldrop's motion to be committed to Bryce Hospital for a mental examination. Two witnesses were questioned during the hearing on this motion. Don Weathington, the coordinator for the Cheaha Mental Health Center, testified that he made a one-hour-and fifteen-minute examination of Waldrop. During the examination, he tried to determine if Waldrop was aware of who he was, where he was, why he was there, and what was happening to him. Based on this examination, Weathington concluded that Waldrop was suffering from no mental disorder of any type.

Ray Nelson, a former cellmate, testified that Waldrop was sometimes easy to talk to and sometimes was in his own world. He further testified that Waldrop discussed death and once suggested that both he and Nelson should stab themselves with knives in the stomach. He stated that Waldrop once cut himself with a razor.

Although Nelson's testimony indicates that Waldrop's behavior was odd or deviant, it in no way indicates that he was mentally incompetent to stand trial. The judge's denial of the motion for a mental examination was based on the testimony of a competent mental health expert. The trial judge is obligated to order a mental examination only when there is reasonable or bona fide doubt as to a defendant's sanity. Ala.Code § 15-16-21 (1975). It is left to the discretion of the trial court as to whether there is a reasonable or bona fide doubt as to sanity and, thus, whether a further examination is required. Livingston v. State, 419 So.2d 270 (Ala.Cr.App.1982). The burden of showing a reasonable doubt rests on the defendant (appellant). Minniefield v. State, 47 Ala.App. 699, 260 So.2d 607 (1972). We find no error with regard to this issue.

Waldrop's next issue was that of venue. Waldrop produced newsmen from Talladega County who testified that news stories concerning the murder victim and the suspect were broadcast on radio and television at least four times a day for several days. There were also many articles on the subject in the local newspaper. Based on this extensive coverage, Waldrop claimed that he was prejudiced and could not get a fair trial in Talladega County. This motion for change of venue was denied.

Publicity alone, even if inordinate, is not sufficient to warrant a change of venue. Some prejudicial effect of the publicity must be shown. Thompson v. State, 374 So.2d 377 (Ala.Cr.App.1978). In the case sub judice, there was no showing that the publicity would cause prejudice. There was no showing that the publicity was not objective, factual or that it was of the type that would inflame the community. Waldrop, therefore, failed to carry his burden on this motion. This issue was raised during the jury selection and none of the potential jurors indicated that the publicity would prejudice them toward Waldrop. It was not error to deny the motion.

Next, Waldrop takes issue with the admission of his confession. Officer Dennis Surrett testified that before Waldrop made his statement he was advised of the following:

"You have the right to talk to a lawyer to have him present with you while you are being questioned. If you want a lawyer and cannot afford one, the court will appoint one for you. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can, and will be used against you in a court of law."

Waldrop argues that this warning was inadequate because he was not told that he could request counsel after questioning began, that he could stop the questioning at anytime, and that he would be provided with counsel after questioning started if he so requested.

Informing a defendant that he has the right to remain silent, that statements he makes will be used against him, and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed, will satisfy the Miranda requirements. Mack v. State, 348 So.2d 524 (Ala.Cr.App.1977). No precise language is required in warning a defendant of his constitutional rights. Mack, supra. The warning in this case was adequate.

Waldrop also argues that his confession was obtained by trickery. He testified that the officers who tape recorded his statement told him that the statement was needed to prepare him for a lie detector test and was, therefore, obtained by trickery. The officers involved in taking the statement denied telling Waldrop he was about to undergo lie detector tests.

The trial court is not required to accept the testimony of the accused if there is substantial testimony by others sufficient to constitute a predicate for admission of evidence of a confession. Moore v. State, 415 So.2d 1210 (Ala.Cr.App.1982). Even assuming that the officers did make representations to Waldrop about a lie detector test, we fail to see how that "tricked" Waldrop into confessing. The issue is without merit.

Waldrop's last issue deals with comments made by the prosecutor during his closing argument. The prosecutor referred to Waldrop as a murderer and a robber, and at one point said, "Billy Wayne Waldrop and his partners in crime had no more regard for human life than you or I would for a fly we swatted."

In a proper case, the prosecuting attorney may characterize the accused or his conduct in language which, although it consists of invective or opprobrious terms, accords with the evidence of the case ...." Barbee v. State, 395 So.2d 1128, 1134 (Ala.Cr.App.1981). The evidence in this case supported the inferences drawn by the prosecutor. There was no error.

In accordance with § 13A-15-53, Code of Alabama 1975, we have reviewed the sentence proceedings of this case and found no error. Additionally, the trial court's findings concerning the aggravating and mitigating circumstances are supported by the evidence. ¹ After considering each of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances set out in the statute, the court found that Waldrop and his accomplices entered the victim's home, robbed him, killed him, and then burned his house and body. The court also found that Waldrop had committed two prior murders. No evidence of any mitigating circumstances was introduced.

This court further finds that the sentences were not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor. An independent weighing of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances by this court indicates that death was the proper sentence in this case. Finally, the sentence of death is not excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases. Beck v. State, 396 So.2d 645 (Ala.1980).

We have searched the record and have found no error prejudicial to the substantial rights of Waldrop. The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.

AFFIRMED.

All the Judges concur.

APPENDIX "A"

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF TALLADEGA COUNTY, ALABAMA

STATE OF ALABAMA,

VS.

BILLY WALDROP, Defendant.

CASE NO. CC 82-387

FINDING OF FACT BY THE COURT FROM THE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY PRESENTED DURING THE TRIAL PHASE OF THE TRIAL SUMMARIZING THE CRIME AND THE DEFENDANT'S PARTICIPATION THEREIN

That sometime prior to June 2, 1982, the defendant, Billy Waldrop, together with Eugene Singleton and Henry Mayes, planned and conspired together to rob, burglarize his house, and murder, if necessary, Thurman Macon Donahoo, a resident of Alpine, a rural area in Talladega County, Alabama. In furtherance of this scheme and conspiracy, the conspirators obtained a pistol to carry out their plan. The defendant and his co-conspirators knew or believed that the victim owned and possessed a large diamond ring, which he wore regularly and which was reputed to be of considerable value. The victim did, in fact, own a diamond ring of approximately five carats, and it was, in fact, very valuable. Pursuant to their scheme, plan, and conspiracy, the defendant, Billy Waldrop, with one or more of his co-conspirators and accomplices, proceeded to the home of the victim on the night of June 2, 1982. When they arrived at his home, the victim was alive and in possession of the ring. When they left, the victim was dead or dying, and the defendant and his accomplices were in possession of the ring, together with other items of value taken from the house of the victim. After committing the robbery, burglary, and murder, and before leaving the scene of the crime, the defendant and his accomplices set fire to the victim's house, obviously to destroy any and all evidence of their crime. The house was completely destroyed by the fire and the victim's body was burned almost beyond recognition. The body, or portion remaining, was found partially beneath an overturned refrigerator. The next day the defendant and co-conspirator Mayes were in the State of Tennessee attempting to dispose of the ring and other items that had been stolen from the victim. They were unsuccessful and returned to Alabama, where they ultimately disposed of the ring for the sum of $10,000.00, the defendant receiving most of the money. By intense and excellent police work, the diamond was ultimately recovered and positively identified.

The murder of the victim was of the intentional killing type while the defendant and his accomplices were committing robbery in the first degree and burglary in the first degree. The intent required in the various counts of the indictment are not mutually exclusive, and the defendant and his accomplices...