Opinion ID: 1059140
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Events and Proceedings Following Remand Powell's Letter

Text: On October 21, 2001, Powell wrote an obscenity-laced letter to the Commonwealth's Attorney who had prosecuted Powell in his first trial. [3] Powell stated in the letter that, because he believed he could not be retried for capital murder, I figured I would tell you the rest of what happened on Jan. 29, 1999, to show you how stupid all y'all . . . are. Admitting that he planned to kill the whole family on that day, Powell further stated that I had other plans for [Stacey] before she died. Powell described how he had attempted to initiate consensual sexual intercourse with Stacey, which he had previously admitted. Powell then revealed that when Stacey resisted his advances, he pushed her onto her bed and, while sitting on top of her, told Stacey that we could do it the easy way or the hard way. Powell then described how Stacey had started fighting with me and clawed me [sic] face. Powell stated that he slammed her to the floor . . . sat on top of her and pinned her hands down again. Powell claimed that Stacey relented and I told her if she tried fighting with me again I would kill her. Continuing, Powell stated that, at his direction, Stacey began to disrobe, but stopped when the telephone rang. Stacey put her clothes back on so that she could answer the telephone. Powell refused to allow Stacey to answer the telephone and ordered her to resume disrobing. When she refused, Powell pushed her back and pulled out [his] knife. When Stacey attempted to leave the bedroom, Powell stabbed her. Stacey fell back and Powell removed the knife. Stacey then stumbled to another bedroom and collapsed. Powell saw that she was still breathing and started stomping on her throat until he didn't see her breathing anymore.