Opinion ID: 1488269
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The presentence investigation report

Text: Code (1957, 1982 Repl.Vol., 1984 Cum.Supp.) Art. 41, § 124(d), adopted by Ch. 297 of the Acts of 1983 and effective July 1, 1983, provides: In any case in which the death penalty is requested under Article 27, § 412, a presentence investigation, including a victim impact statement, shall be completed by the Division of Parole and Probation, and shall be considered by the court or jury before whom the separate sentencing proceeding is conducted under Article 27, § 413. Code (1957, 1982 Repl.Vol.) Art. 27, § 413(c)(1)(iv) states that evidence admissible in a capital sentencing proceeding includes [a]ny presentence investigation report. Huffington contends that the trial court erred in admitting two portions of the presentence investigation report. The first concerns that portion of institutional history pertaining to infractions not leading to criminal prosecutions committed while Huffington was incarcerated prior to trial. The second pertains to the admission of Huffington's version of the facts pertaining to his activities at the times here pertinent. For reasons to be hereafter developed we find Huffington's contentions to be without merit. There is another reason for overruling his contentions, however. The presentence investigation came in without objection. It is true that when the presentence investigation was being considered by the trial judge Huffington made specific objections to the portions of the report to which he now objects. However, the report was received in evidence without objection on behalf of Huffington. The record reflects: Cassilly [Assistant State's Attorney]: Excuse me, Your Honor, could we ... now that we've finally gotten our presentence put together, can we distribute this to the Jury at this point? Court: You'll want to put that in? Yes. Cassilly: Yes, please. Drew [for the defense]: I have no objection, Your Honor, if you want.... Court: All right, it will be received and may be distributed to the Jury. (St.Ex. 5 admitted into evidence. PSI, with deletions; photostat.) Drew: Your Honor, I don't have any problem with it being distributed but I'd ask that the Court instruct the Jury not to begin reading it or anything until. .. . I'd like them to pay attention to my presentation rather than reading the PSI.