Opinion ID: 4360924
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Statutory Review of the Death Penalty

Text: By statute, we are required to affirm Clemons’ death sentence unless we find that its imposition was the product of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor, or that [J-16-2018] - 52 the Commonwealth's evidence did not support at least one aggravating factor. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(h)(3). Following our comprehensive review of the record, we are convinced that the sentence imposed upon Clemons was not the product of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor. Rather, that sentence resulted from the substantial evidence proving that Clemons deliberately and maliciously killed Kunco. We also conclude that the aggravating circumstances found by the jury were supported by ample evidence. Finally, the jury having performed its duties under the relevant death penalty statute, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711, we discern no basis to reject its decision to impose the death penalty in this case.