Oklahoma Statutes

Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12 (2026)

Aggravating circumstances

✓ current as of July 2026

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Aggravating circumstances shall be: 1. The defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person; 2. The defendant knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person; 3. The person committed the murder for remuneration or the promise of remuneration or employed another to commit the murder for remuneration or the promise of remuneration; 4. The murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel; 5. The murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or prosecution; 6. The murder was committed by a person while serving a sentence of imprisonment on conviction of a felony;

7. The existence of a probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society; or 8. The victim of the murder was a peace officer as defined by Section 99 of this title, or correctional employee of an institution under the control of the Department of Corrections, and such person was killed while in performance of official duty. Added by Laws 1976, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 1 , § 6, eff. July 24, 1976. Amended by Laws 1981, c. 147, § 1, emerg. eff. May 8, 1981; Laws 2011, c. 160, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2011.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 282 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: Mitchell v. State, 2006 OK CR 20 (Okla. Crim. App. 2006).

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Mitchell v. State, 2006 OK CR 20 (Okla. Crim. App. 2006). · cites it 14× “" See 21 O.S.2001, § 701.12(1) (which requires evidence of a prior conviction for a violent felony to make a defendant death eligible).”

Harris v. State, 2019 OK CR 22 (Okla. Crim. App. 2019). · cites it 12× “21 O.S.2011, § 701.12(2), (4). Jury trial was held December 9 through 18, 2013 before the Honorable Jonathan K.”

Warner v. State, 2006 OK CR 40 (Okla. Crim. App. 2006). · cites it 8× “13(C), we must determine (1) whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, and (2) whether the evidence supports the jury's finding of the aggravating circumstances as enumerated in 21 O.S.2001, § 701.12.…”

Tryon v. State, 2018 OK CR 20 (Okla. Crim. App. 2018). · cites it 6× “The jury found: 1) the defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person; 2) the murder was committed by a person while serving a sentence of imprisonment on conviction of a felony; 3) at the present time there exists a…”

Wallace v. State, 893 P.2d 504 (Okla. Crim. App. 1995). · cites it 12× “At a sentencing hearing on April 4, 1991, the court found three aggravating circumstances: Appellant had previously been convicted of a violent felony (21 O.S. § 701.12(1)); the murders were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel (21 O.”

Johnson v. State, 665 P.2d 815 (Okla. Crim. App. 1983). · cites it 9× “See 21 O.S.Supp. 1980, § 701.12. VIII. The appellant urges this Court to find that the aggravating circumstance found in Title 21 O.”

McElmurry v. State, 2002 OK CR 40 (Okla. Crim. App. 2002). · cites it 7× “¶ 173 The trial court specifically instructed the jury that evidence had been introduced as to eight mitigating circumstances.”

Cleary v. State, 942 P.2d 736 (Okla. Crim. App. 1997). · cites it 10× “See 21 O.S.1991, § 701.12(1),(5),(6),(7). Cleary raises six challenges to these aggravators.”

Johnson v. State, 928 P.2d 309 (Okla. Crim. App. 1996). · cites it 8× “13(C), this Court shall determine (1) whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, and (2) whether the evidence supports the jury's finding of an aggravating circumstance as enumerated in 21 O.S.1991, §…”

Burrows v. State, 640 P.2d 533 (Okla. Crim. App. 1982). · cites it 8× “Title 21 O.S.Supp. 1980, § 701.12, sets forth the aggravating circumstances.”

Green v. State, 713 P.2d 1032 (Okla. Crim. App. 1985). · cites it 7× “” 21 O.S.1981, § 701.12. This aggravating circumstance was properly applied to the facts of this case, and Green’s 9 sentence of death will not be disturbed on this basis.”

Lockett v. State, 2002 OK CR 30 (Okla. Crim. App. 2002). · cites it 5× “NOTES [1] 21 O.S.1991, § 701.12(1). [2] 21 O.S.1991, § 701.”

Show all 282 citing cases →

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(1) — 55 cases

Cleary v. State, 942 P.2d 736 (Okla. Crim. App. 1997). “See 21 O.S.1991, § 701.12(1),(5),(6),(7). Cleary raises six challenges to these aggravators.”

Green v. State, 713 P.2d 1032 (Okla. Crim. App. 1985). “” 21 O.S.1981, § 701.12. This aggravating circumstance was properly applied to the facts of this case, and Green’s 9 sentence of death will not be disturbed on this basis.”

Wallace v. State, 893 P.2d 504 (Okla. Crim. App. 1995). “At a sentencing hearing on April 4, 1991, the court found three aggravating circumstances: Appellant had previously been convicted of a violent felony (21 O.S. § 701.12(1)); the murders were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel (21 O.”

St. Clair v. Commonwealth, 140 S.W.3d 510 (Ky. 2004).

Miller v. State, 1998 OK CR 59 (Okla. Crim. App. 1999).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(1)(2)(4)(7) — 1 case

Simpson v. State, 2010 OK CR 6 (Okla. Crim. App. 2010).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(1)(2)(5) — 1 case

Williams v. State, 2001 OK CR 9 (Okla. Crim. App. 2001).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(1)(4)(5)(6) — 1 case

Patton v. State, 1998 OK CR 66 (Okla. Crim. App. 1998).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(1)(4)(7) — 2 cases

Frederick v. State, 2017 OK CR 12 (Okla. Crim. App. 2017).

Frederick v. State, 400 P.3d 786 (Okla. Crim. App. 2017).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(2) — 61 cases

Harris v. State, 2019 OK CR 22 (Okla. Crim. App. 2019). “21 O.S.2011, § 701.12(2), (4). Jury trial was held December 9 through 18, 2013 before the Honorable Jonathan K.”

Salazar v. State, 919 P.2d 1120 (Okla. Crim. App. 1996).

Burrows v. State, 640 P.2d 533 (Okla. Crim. App. 1982). “Title 21 O.S.Supp. 1980, § 701.12, sets forth the aggravating circumstances.”

Littlejohn v. Trammell, 704 F.3d 817 (10th Cir. 2013).

Salazar v. State, 2005 OK CR 24 (Okla. Crim. App. 2005).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(2)(4) — 2 cases

Long v. State, 883 P.2d 167 (Okla. Crim. App. 1994).

Eizember v. State, 2007 OK CR 29 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(2)(4)(5) — 1 case

Eizember v. State, 2007 OK CR 29 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(2)(4)(7) — 2 cases

Hain v. State, 919 P.2d 1130 (Okla. Crim. App. 1996).

Turrentine v. State, 1998 OK CR 33 (Okla. Crim. App. 1998).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(2)(4)(B) — 1 case

Eizember v. State, 2007 OK CR 29 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(2)(7) — 1 case

Fuston v. State, 2020 OK CR 4 (Okla. Crim. App. 2020).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(3) — 10 cases

Pavatt v. State, 2007 OK CR 19 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

Stemple v. State, 2000 OK CR 4 (Okla. Crim. App. 2000).

Glossip v. State, 2007 OK CR 12 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

Andrew v. State, 2007 OK CR 23 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

Boutwell v. State, 659 P.2d 322 (Okla. Crim. App. 1983).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(4) — 83 cases

Harris v. State, 2019 OK CR 22 (Okla. Crim. App. 2019). “21 O.S.2011, § 701.12(2), (4). Jury trial was held December 9 through 18, 2013 before the Honorable Jonathan K.”

Mitchell v. State, 2006 OK CR 20 (Okla. Crim. App. 2006). “" See 21 O.S.2001, § 701.12(1) (which requires evidence of a prior conviction for a violent felony to make a defendant death eligible).”

Willingham v. State, 947 P.2d 1074 (Okla. Crim. App. 1997).

Johnson v. State, 928 P.2d 309 (Okla. Crim. App. 1996). “13(C), this Court shall determine (1) whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, and (2) whether the evidence supports the jury's finding of an aggravating circumstance as enumerated in 21 O.S.1991, §…”

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(4)(7) — 5 cases

Warner v. State, 2006 OK CR 40 (Okla. Crim. App. 2006). “13(C), we must determine (1) whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, and (2) whether the evidence supports the jury's finding of the aggravating circumstances as enumerated in 21 O.S.2001, § 701.12.…”

Phillips v. State, 1999 OK CR 38 (Okla. Crim. App. 1999).

Johnson v. State, 2004 OK CR 25 (Okla. Crim. App. 2004).

Gilson v. State, 2000 OK CR 14 (Okla. Crim. App. 2000).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(5) — 39 cases

Johnson v. State, 665 P.2d 815 (Okla. Crim. App. 1983). “See 21 O.S.Supp. 1980, § 701.12. VIII. The appellant urges this Court to find that the aggravating circumstance found in Title 21 O.”

Munson v. State, 758 P.2d 324 (Okla. Crim. App. 1988).

Boyd v. State, 839 P.2d 1363 (Okla. Crim. App. 1992).

Hooper v. State, 947 P.2d 1090 (Okla. Crim. App. 1997).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(6) — 8 cases

Tryon v. State, 2018 OK CR 20 (Okla. Crim. App. 2018). “The jury found: 1) the defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person; 2) the murder was committed by a person while serving a sentence of imprisonment on conviction of a felony; 3) at the present time there exists a…”

Humphreys v. State, 947 P.2d 565 (Okla. Crim. App. 1997).

Cleary v. State, 942 P.2d 736 (Okla. Crim. App. 1997). “See 21 O.S.1991, § 701.12(1),(5),(6),(7). Cleary raises six challenges to these aggravators.”

Cooper v. State, 889 P.2d 293 (Okla. Crim. App. 1995).

Nolen v. State, 2021 OK CR 5 (Okla. Crim. App. 2021).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(7) — 64 cases

Johnson v. State, 665 P.2d 815 (Okla. Crim. App. 1983). “See 21 O.S.Supp. 1980, § 701.12. VIII. The appellant urges this Court to find that the aggravating circumstance found in Title 21 O.”

Torres v. States, 1998 OK CR 40 (Okla. Crim. App. 1998).

Ochoa v. State, 1998 OK CR 41 (Okla. Crim. App. 1998).

— Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 701.12(8) — 4 cases

Pavatt v. State, 2007 OK CR 19 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

Andrew v. State, 2007 OK CR 23 (Okla. Crim. App. 2007).

State v. Reynolds, 457 N.W.2d 405 (Neb. 1990).

Coddington v. State, 2011 OK CR 17 (Okla. Crim. App. 2011).

Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.