Opinion ID: 1227665
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Guilt determination

Text: Again, without having objected at trial, the defendants now complain that the prosecutor repeatedly asked the jury during voir dire if they understood that the question of guilt had already been established. They further complain that the trial court charged the jury that the defendants had already been found guilty of the murders in question. It is uncontroverted that the purpose of the resentencing hearing was solely for sentencing. The guilt of these two defendants had been conclusively determined and affirmed on appeal. See Oliver I. The case was not before the jury for a finding of guilt or innocence. It is defendant's contention, however, that barring the jury from redetermining guilt or innocence was tantamount to limiting the jury's consideration of evidence in mitigation. We do not agree. The jury was simply precluded from determining guilt or innocence. Thus, the instructions and comments to the jury that its function was punishment, not a determination of guilt or innocence, was in all respects proper.