Opinion ID: 1518773
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: KRS 532.075(2) provides that, in death penalty cases, [t]he Supreme Court shall consider the punishment as well as any errors enumerated by way of appeal. This has been held to mean that there is an exception to the contemporaneous objection rule in cases where the death penalty has been imposed. See, e.g., Ice v. Commonwealth, Ky., 667 S.W.2d 671, cert. denied, 469 U.S. 860, 105 S.Ct. 192, 83 L.Ed.2d 125 (1984). As we stated in Sanders v. Commonwealth, Ky., 801 S.W.2d 665, 668 (1990), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 831, 112 S.Ct. 107, 116 L.Ed.2d 76 (1991): Assuming that the . . . error occurred, we begin by inquiring: (1) whether there is a reasonable justification or explanation for defense counsel's failure to object, e.g., whether the failure might have been a legitimate trial tactic; and (2) if there is no reasonable explanation, whether the unpreserved error was prejudicial, i.e., whether the circumstances in totality are persuasive that, minus the error, the defendant may not have been found guilty of a capital crime, or the death penalty may not have been imposed. Foley's brief poses thirty-four (34) issues for resolution by this Court, many of which are not preserved. This opinion will not attempt to address in detail every issue, though each has been carefully considered on its merits.