Opinion ID: 1325116
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Constitutionality of Capital Murder Statutes.

Text: Prior to trial, Frye moved to dismiss the charges against him on the ground that the Virginia statutes governing capital murder are unconstitutional, both facially and as applied to him. The trial court overruled the motion. On appeal, Frye adopts all previous attacks on the validity of the statutes. We adhere to our prior rulings upholding the constitutionality of Code § 18.2-31, classifying capital offenses, and of Code §§ 19.2-264.2 to -264.4, outlining sentencing procedures in capital cases. See Stockton, 227 Va. at 134-35, 314 S.E.2d at 378. Frye's attack on the constitutionality of the statutes as applied to him is made at the penalty phase and, for reasons hereafter set forth, is not reached.