Opinion ID: 2416611
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: evidence admitted in sentencing phase

Text: Finally, Hudson argues that the trial court erred in permitting a witness to read information about Hudson's previous convictions from the warrants or uniform citations during the sentencing phase of the trial. KRS 532.055(2)(a) allows the Commonwealth, during the penalty phase of a trial, to introduce evidence relevant to sentencing, including prior convictions of the defendant and the nature of prior offenses for which he was convicted. However, this Court has determined that all that is admissible as to the nature of prior convictions is a description of the general nature of the crime. Robinson v. Commonwealth, Ky., 926 S.W.2d 853, 855 (1996). In the instant case, the Commonwealth called a district court supervisor to testify regarding the records of Hudson's convictions. In addition to reading the convictions, dates, and sentences, the supervisor read information regarding the factual circumstances of each conviction from the warrants or uniform citations. The amount of information heard by the jury was clearly beyond the limitation set forth in Robinson , and therefore, should not have been admitted. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm Hudson's conviction, but reverse and remand for a new sentencing phase consistent with this opinion. All concur.