State of Arizona v. Edward Littleton McCauley

── State of Arizona v. Edward Littleton McCauley ── Court: Arizona Supreme Court Date: May 15, 2026 Category: General IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA STATE OF ARIZONA, Appellee, v. EDWARD LITTLETON MCCAULEY, Appellant. No. CR-20-0031-AP Filed May 15, 2026 Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County The Honorable Frank W. Moskowitz, Judge No. CR2014-155906-001 AFFIRMED COUNSEL: Steve Koestner, Colin F. Stearns, Grace M. Guisewite (argued), Office of the Legal Advocate, Phoenix, Attorneys for Edward Littleton McCauley Kristin K. Mayes, Arizona Attorney General, Jason D. Lewis, Deputy Solicitor General, Section Chief of Capital Litigation, Jeffrey L. Sparks (argued), Senior Litigation Counsel, Capital Litigation Section, Attorney General’s Office, Attorneys for State of Arizona  STATE OF ARIZONA V. EDWARD LITTLETON MCCAULEY Opinion of the Court JUSTICE KING authored the Opinion of the Court, in which CHIEF JUSTICE TIMMER, VICE CHIEF JUSTICE LOPEZ, and JUSTICE BEENE joined.* JUSTICE BOLICK authored a concurring opinion. JUSTICE KING, Opinion of the Court: ¶1 This appeal arises from Edward McCauley’s conviction for first degree murder and his resulting death sentence. We have jurisdiction under article 6, section 5(3) of the Arizona Constitution and A.R.S. §§ 13-4031 and -4033(A)(1). We affirm McCauley’s conviction and sentence. BACKGROUND ¶2 On the night of November 23, 2014, McCauley went to the residence of his estranged wife, D.M., and waited outside in a car for her to leave for work. Around midnight, McCauley exited the car carrying a .45 caliber pistol and confronted D.M. as she entered her vehicle. A witness heard D.M. scream “no” a few times during the confrontation. McCauley shot D.M. eight times. The bullets struck D.M. in various locations on her body, including her hands, arms, neck, torso, and heart. At about 12:03 a.m. (now the morning of November 24), McCauley fled the scene. ___________________ * Justice William G. Montgomery is recused from this matter. Also, briefing and oral argument in this case occurred before Justice Maria Elena Cruz was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court. Justice Cruz did not participate in this case. 2  STATE OF ARIZONA V. EDWARD LITTLETON MCCAULEY Opinion of the Court ¶3 McCauley sent a series of text messages to D.M.’s family immediately after the murder. McCauley sent the first text to D.M.’s sister at 12:04:04 a.m.: Over 22 years she wouldn’t even suck my dick a few months before she did this she would suck that dick 3&4 times a day. I begged her not to fuck me over many times please don’t fuck me , you know I did now I just killed your seester. :- ) she didn’t need to do me like that . KARMA she pays the karma for all the fucked up weman in my life my mom your mom you Tuesday and of corse [D.M.] . Teach your kids you fuck over the wrong guy and holy crap. McCauley attached an image of D.M. performing oral sex on him. ¶4 McCauley sent the second text to D.M.’s daughter at 12:05:39 a.m.: I killed her. Your mother wasn’t even woman enough to suck my cock for 22 years and then six month’s before she did this she would suck that dick 3 & 4 times a day . Who’s your daddy now bitch . I just killed your mommy . She tought you how you can use that lil pussy to destroy men who are good to you . Be careful that same good man can kill you for it . KARMA finally reached up and bit YOUR family’s on the clit . I talk to you like this because I have no respect f