Opinion ID: 2461850
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: whether appellant's sentence of death was arbitrary, or disproportionate when compared to recent cases.

Text: In making the review necessitated by KRS 532.075(3), we find nothing in the record to show that appellant's sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor. Also, the evidence supports the jury's finding of first-degree robbery, one of the aggravating circumstances enumerated in KRS 532.025(2). The death sentence is not excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases since 1970, considering both the crime and the defendant. The cases reviewed are: Scott v. Commonwealth, Ky., 495 S.W.2d 800 (1973); Leigh v. Commonwealth, Ky., 481 S.W.2d 75 (1972); Lenston and Scott v. Commonwealth, Ky., 497 S.W.2d 561 (1973); Call v. Commonwealth, Ky., 482 S.W.2d 770 (1972); Caldwell v. Commonwealth, Ky., 503 S.W.2d 485 (1972); Tinsley and Tinsley v. Commonwealth, Ky., 495 S.W.2d 776 (1973); Galbreath v. Commonwealth, Ky., 492 S.W.2d 882 (1973); Caine and McIntosh v. Commonwealth, Ky., 491 S.W.2d 824 (1973); Hudson v. Commonwealth, Ky., 597 S.W.2d 610 (1980); Meadows v. Commonwealth, Ky., 550 S.W.2d 511 (1977); Self v. Commonwealth, Ky., 550 S.W.2d 509 (1977); Boyd v. Commonwealth, Ky., 550 S.W.2d 507 (1977); Smith v. Commonwealth, Ky., 599 S.W.2d 900 (1980); Gall v. Commonwealth, Ky., 607 S.W.2d 97 (1980); McQueen v. Commonwealth, Ky., 669 S.W.2d 519 (1984); and White v. Commonwealth, Ky., 671 S.W.2d 241 (1984); Ice v. Commonwealth, Ky., 667 S.W.2d 671 (1984); Harper v. Commonwealth, Ky., 694 S.W.2d 665 (1985); Skaggs v. Commonwealth, Ky., 694 S.W.2d 672 (1985); Ward v. Commonwealth, Ky., 695 S.W.2d 404 (1985); Kordenbrock v. Commonwealth, Ky., 700 S.W.2d 384 (1985); Holland and James v. Commonwealth, Ky., 703 S.W.2d 876 (1985). Appellant's gruesome murder of Hamlin and the robbery of victim's possessions exceed the standard for imposing death. Thus, the conviction of the Harlan Circuit Court is affirmed. All concur.