Opinion ID: 1928081
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Review of Sentence of Death

Text: As we have rejected all of Appellant's claims for relief, we are obligated to determine whether (i) the sentence of death was the product of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor; (ii) the evidence fails to support the finding of an aggravating circumstance specified in subsection (d); or (iii) the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, considering both the circumstances of the crime and the character and record of the defendant. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(h)(3). Upon reviewing the record, we determine that the sentence was not an improper product of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor, but, rather, was based upon the overwhelming evidence that Appellant murdered Officer Willis Cole. Moreover, we find that sufficient evidence was presented to support each of the four aggravating circumstances found by the jury. Appellant murdered a police officer in the performance of his duties; Appellant committed the murder while engaged in the robbery of Mr. Rishel's coin shop, a felony; Appellant knowingly created a grave risk of death to others when he fired numerous shots in the street on the morning of the robbery; and Appellant had a significant history of felony convictions involving the use or threat of violence to the person. Lastly, with respect to the final consideration, and in accordance with Commonwealth v. Zettlemoyer, 500 Pa. at 63, 454 A.2d at 961, this court has performed an independent review of the cases involving the sentence of death to determine whether Appellant's sentence of death was proportional to the sentences imposed in similar cases taking into consideration both the circumstances of the offense and the character and record of Appellant. We find that the sentence of death in this case is not excessive or disproportionate to the sentence imposed in like cases. [16] For the foregoing reasons, we uphold the convictions and affirm the judgment of sentence of death. [17]