Opinion ID: 1058965
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alleged Failure to Accuse Muhammad as the Triggerman

Text: Muhammad argues the Commonwealth failed to allege facts necessary for a death sentence in the indictment because it did not allege that he actually fired the shot that killed Dean Meyers. He further alleges that it was error to deny his motion for a bill of particulars to accomplish this end. Also, he argues that the Commonwealth's notice of intent to seek the death penalty does not cure this alleged legal flaw in the indictment. Finally, he argues that the trial court should have dismissed the indictment for its failure to indict Muhammad for murder in the second degree rather than capital murder because of lack of allegations that he was the triggerman. These related allegations simply advance Muhammad's argument that upon the facts of this case, only the person who pulls the trigger is eligible for the death sentence under Virginia law. As we have set forth, an immediate perpetrator of the act is eligible for the death sentence. The trial court did not err in recognizing this principle of law in its rulings on these motions.