Opinion ID: 1059011
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Hearsay and Unadjudicated Conduct

Text: Winston asserts in assignment of error 67 that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay evidence at a capital murder sentencing. We have previously held that a post-sentence report made pursuant to Code § 19.2-264.5 may contain hearsay statements. Remington, 262 Va. at 354-355, 551 S.E.2d at 633. A fair reading of Winston's argument does not implicate such a report; rather, it focuses upon evidence of unadjudicated conduct introduced pursuant to Code § 19.2-264.3:2. After the jury had completed all of its deliberations and had been discharged, the trial court conducted its sentencing hearing. At the hearing, the court permitted introduction of evidence of unadjudicated conduct over Winston's objection. The testimony concerned Winston's behavior in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail. When Winston objected to the testimony, the trial court stated, Isn't it normally admissible in a sentencing proceeding? Counsel for Winston replied, Well, certainly, it's in the discretion of the Court. Most sentencing hearings aren't normally about someone's life. And so we would suggest to the Court that in light of the stakes involved in the case that the Court not permit it. Counsel cites no legal authority to support this argument. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in permitting evidence of Winston's unadjudicated conduct.