State v. Watson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

10 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 10 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “We also reject defendant’s argument that there should be some relevance attached to his allegation that he did not intend his victim to suffer or intend that the murder be “vicious.” Proof that a defendant intended to inflict unnecessary pain upon his victim is certainly appropriately considered in determining whether an offense is especially cruel. Such proof, however, is not necessary. G.S. § 15A-1340.4(a)(l)f is stated in the disjunctive — “The offense was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.” Thus an equally appropriate focus in determining the existence of this factor is whether the victim suffered unusual physical pain or mental anguish. Here the evidence fully supports a finding that the victim suffered a degree of physical pain and psychological suffering not normally present in every murder. . . .”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Marley

2. “There is ample evidence that the victim was not killed by the first shots. She managed to move from room to room in the house leaving a trail of blood behind her, clearly undergoing fear and pain in the process. Death was not instantaneous.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Marley