Beau John Greene

Case record: Beau John Greene

Background

Beau John Greene was sentenced to death on August 26, 1996.

Greene wrote a letter bragging about kicking in the victim's skull before trial. Before sentencing, he wrote another letter boasting about being on death row.

The offence

On February 28, 1995, the victim left a church concert at about 9:15 p.m. The victim encountered Greene and an altercation ensued.

Greene beat the 140-lb victim to death with a club or stick.

Later that evening, Greene drove to a friend's house in the victim's car. Greene obtained a rug and a clean pair of shoes and pants, saying he needed clean clothes because his had blood and mud on them.

Greene used the rug to cover the car seat, which had blood on it.

On March 1, Greene began making purchases with the victim's credit cards. Greene used a gauze bandage on his hand to disguise his signature.

Later that evening, Greene told his ex-girlfriend he had killed someone by beating him with a stick and that he had to get rid of the car. Greene showed another friend "proof of his kill."

Greene drove the victim's car into the desert. His ex-girlfriend followed in another car.

A ranger stopped both vehicles, but Greene fled.

On March 4, the victim's body was found in a wash west of Tucson Mountain Park.

Investigation

Before trial, Greene wrote a letter bragging about kicking in the victim's skull.

On March 3, when Greene was arrested, officers found property Greene had purchased with the victim's credit card.

Arrest

Greene fled when a ranger stopped both vehicles and was later arrested on March 3.

Trial

Presiding Judge: Bernardo Velasco Prosecutor: Rick Unklesbay

Start of Trial: March 5, 1996 Verdict: March 15, 1996

Sentencing

Sentencing: August 26, 1996

Aggravating Circumstances: Pecuniary gain Especially heinous and depraved (struck on appeal)

Mitigating Circumstances: Drug use (non-statutory) Lack of a felony criminal record (non-statutory)

Appeals

PUBLISHED OPINIONS State v. Greene, CR-96-0502-AP, 1998 WL 727570 (Oct. 20, 1998).

Outcome

A Warrant of Execution was issued by the Arizona Supreme Court for the execution of BEAU J. GREENE ADC#123048 on January 14, 2004.

A Stay of Execution was issued by the Arizona Supreme Court in the January 14, 2004 scheduled execution of BEAU J. GREENE.

Timeline

• February 28, 1995 — The victim left a church concert at about 9:15 p.m.; the victim encountered Greene and an altercation ensued; Greene beat the 140-lb victim to death with a club or stick.
• February 28, 1995 (later that evening) — Greene drove to a friend's house in the victim's car, obtained a rug and clean pair of shoes and pants, used a rug to cover the car seat, and had blood and mud on his own clothes.
• March 1, 1995 — Greene made purchases with the victim's credit cards using a gauze bandage on his hand to disguise his signature; later that evening, Greene told his ex-girlfriend he had killed someone by beating him with a stick and that he had to get rid of the car; Greene showed another friend "proof of his kill."
• March 3, 1995 — Greene was arrested; officers found property Greene had purchased with the victim's credit card.
• March 4, 1995 — The victim's body was found in a wash west of Tucson Mountain Park.
• March 5, 1996 — Trial started.
• March 15, 1996 — Verdict.
• August 26, 1996 — Sentencing.
• October 20, 1998 — State v. Greene, CR-96-0502-AP, 1998 WL 727570 was published.
• December 05, 2003 — A Warrant of Execution was issued by the Arizona Supreme Court for the execution of BEAU J.
• December 08, 2003 — A Stay of Execution was issued by the Arizona Supreme Court in the January 14, 2004 scheduled execution of BEAU J. GREENE.

Other details

• Defendant: Caucasian
• Victim: Caucasian
• The conviction included an aggravating circumstance described as "Especially heinous and depraved," which was struck on appeal.
• The aggravating circumstance included "Pecuniary gain."
• Mitigating circumstances included "Drug use (non-statutory)" and "Lack of a felony criminal record (non-statutory)."