Opinion ID: 4549439
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the penalty-phase trial: closing arguments,

Text: JURY INSTRUCTIONS, AND THE VERDICT ¶34 At the close of the penalty-phase trial, Drommond‘s counsel asked the jury to impose a sentence of twenty years to life in prison, rather than life in prison without the possibility of parole. Drommond‘s counsel claimed that this sentence was proper because, if Drommond were to have ―structure‖ and ―treatment,‖ he could ―be normalized.‖ ¶35 After closing argument, Drommond asked the trial court for a special verdict, which would require the jury to find that any ―uncharged crimes‖ presented at trial were proven beyond a reasonable doubt before it could consider them in the sentencing decision. The court rejected this request. ¶36 The jury then deliberated and sentenced Drommond to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and he appealed.