Opinion ID: 1794408
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Trial Court's Imposition of Sentence

Text: Next, Appellant argues that the trial court believed that it was compelled to accept the jury verdict and abdicated its responsibility to review the jury's recommended sentence. We cannot agree. The trial judge verbally made his anti-death penalty views clear. However, acknowledging that death is permissible under Kentucky law, the trial court did not deem the penalty inappropriate in view of the particular facts of the case. Appellant also contends that there is no standard to guide judges in regard to the imposition of the death penalty. This Court has previously rejected this type of argument in Bowling v. Commonwealth [30] and in Foley v. Commonwealth. [31] Notwithstanding, Appellant claims that the trial court's report demonstrates the lack of guidance. KRS 532.075 provides that whenever the death penalty is imposed, the trial court must prepare a report in the form of a standard questionnaire prepared and supplied by the Supreme Court. To support his claim, Appellant points to one of the aggravating circumstances the court included in the report, maintaining that it was not found by either jury. The record clearly refutes Appellant's contention, as the jury designated three aggravating factors, including the one Appellant complains was not found by either jury. Accordingly, the report of the trial court was in compliance with KRS 532.075 and does not provide solace for Appellant. The contents of the report do not support any allegation of error.