04/07/97 State Tennessee V. Michael Dean Bush

In this capital case, the defendant, Michael Dean Bush, was convicted of premeditated first degree murder and first degree burglary. *fn1 In the sentencing hearing, the jury  found two aggravating circumstances: (1) "the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death;" and (2) "the murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with or preventing a lawful arrest or prosecution of the defendant or another." Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i)(5) and (6) (1991). Finding that the two aggravating circumstances outweighed mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury sentenced the defendant to death by electrocution.