Opinion ID: 1059831
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: prejudice and proportionality review of death sentence

Text: Pursuant to Code § 17-110.1(C)(1), we are required to determine whether the death sentence in this case was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or other arbitrary factors. Upon careful examination of the record, we find no evidence that any such factor was present or influenced the trial court's sentencing decision. Indeed, Reid has not asserted that the imposition of the death penalty in this case was the result of passion or prejudice. We must also determine whether the sentence of death in this case is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases. Code § 17-110.1(C)(2). In conducting this review, we have inspected the records of all capital cases presented to this Court including those cases in which the trial court imposed a life sentence instead of the death penalty. In complying with the directive in Code § 17-110.1(C)(2) to compare similar cases, we have given particular attention to those cases in which the underlying felony predicates and the facts and circumstances surrounding the commission of the crimes were the same as those in this case. We have also focused on cases in which the death penalty was imposed solely on the basis of the vileness factor. However, our proportionality review does not require that a given capital murder case equal in horror the worst possible scenario yet encountered. Turner v. Commonwealth, 234 Va. 543, 556, 364 S.E.2d 483, 490, cert. denied, 486 U.S. 1017, 108 S.Ct. 1756, 100 L.Ed.2d 218 (1988). Based on this review, the Court concludes that Reid's sentence of death is not excessive or disproportionate to sentences generally imposed in this Commonwealth for capital murders comparable to Reid's murder of Lester. See, e.g. Fry v. Commonwealth, 250 Va. 413, 463 S.E.2d 433 (1995), cert. denied, 517 U.S. 1110, 116 S.Ct. 1333, 134 L.Ed.2d 483 (1996) (11 gunshot wounds to victim's head, chest, and abdomen; victim dragged down dirt road while alive); Barnes v. Commonwealth, 234 Va. 130, 360 S.E.2d 196 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1036, 108 S.Ct. 763, 98 L.Ed.2d 779 (1988) (multiple gunshot wounds); Washington v. Commonwealth, 228 Va. 535, 323 S.E.2d 577 (1984), cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1111, 105 S.Ct. 2347, 85 L.Ed.2d 863 (1985) (38 stab wounds to victim); Boggs, 229 Va. 501, 331 S.E.2d 407 (victim stabbed in two places and struck on head and neck multiple times). As already stated, Reid inflicted 22 stab wounds upon the victim, four of which were lethal wounds to Lester's chest, in addition to multiple other injuries. Reid committed these acts while carrying or dragging Lester's body through her house and removing her clothing. For these reasons, we find no error in the imposition of the sentence of death, nor do we perceive any reason to commute the death sentence. Therefore, we will affirm the judgment of the trial court. Affirmed.