Opinion ID: 2081007
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Defendant's Motion for Continuance of the Sentencing Hearing

Text: Conner asked to have the sentencing hearing continued because he wished to present a new version of the events leading to his conviction and to take a polygraph test to determine his veracity. The denial of a motion for continuance is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will be reversed only for an abuse of that discretion. Woods v. State (1989), Ind., 547 N.E.2d 772, 788. A decision by Conner, after a jury had convicted him of three murders and recommended that the death sentence be imposed, to offer a new version of events does not impose on the trial judge an obligation to grant a continuance. The court did not abuse its discretion in denying such a motion for continuance.