Opinion ID: 854105
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to Instruct on Life Without Parole

Text: The killings in this case occurred on August 3, 1993. Public Law 250-1993 amended Indiana Code §§ 35-50-2-3 and 35-50-2-9 effective for murders committed after June 30, 1993. The amendments provided that a defendant over sixteen years of age may be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole. Further, at the time of the crime, if the State sought the death penalty (and now under Public Law 158-1994 if the State seeks either the death penalty or life without parole) the court shall instruct the jury concerning the statutory penalties for murder. 1993 Ind. Acts, P.L. 250, §§ 1, 2. In this case, the jury was not instructed on life without parole as the statute required. Barker contends that this failure requires a new sentencing phase. The State agrees under the circumstances of this case, as do we.