AZ SB1510

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-751 regarding sentencing in first-degree murder cases where the state seeks the death penalty.

Adds a new aggravating circumstance (paragraph 15) allowing consideration of whether the defendant committed the offense in connection with a gang initiation killing.

Maintains existing requirements that prosecution must prove aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt at the aggravation phase of sentencing.

Clarifies that mitigating circumstances must be proven by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence, and jury members need not unanimously agree on mitigating factors.

Requires a sentence of death if the trier of fact finds one or more aggravating circumstances and determines no mitigating circumstances are sufficiently substantial to call for leniency.