Opinion ID: 2333029
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Questions by Jury

Text: Neal next contends that the trial judge committed prejudicial error by improperly answering the questions of the jury. This claim is totally without merit. While deliberating the jury submitted the following question: is it possible for us to be told of Mr. Strong's sentencing for this murder and robbery? The trial judge responded, No, the Court cannot answer this question. For now, you must decide Mr. Neal's sentence completely independently of any sentence Mr. Strong received. The trial judge properly instructed the jury that it was to decide the sentence completely and independently of any sentence Strong received. Commonwealth v. Bass, Ky., 777 S.W.2d 233 (1989), held that neither details of plea bargaining arrangements with a co-defendant nor the criminal record of the co-defendant are admissible during the penalty phase. There was no error. The jury also posed another question: What is the definition of life in legal terms? i.e., (sic) is he eligible for parole in so many years? If so, how many? May we see you judge? The trial judge responded: Again, the Court cannot answer this specific question. With the obvious exception of the choice of life without the possibility of parole until Mr. Neal has served a minimum 25 years of his sentence, you must decide Mr. Neal's sentence completely independently of any consideration of parole, of what parole might mean or how that may effect (sic) the punishment you fix. Also, I cannot talk to you during your deliberation. All I can do is answer your written questions after consulting with the attorneys. The trial judge properly answered this question. There was no error.