Opinion ID: 2099175
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Instant Petition for Certiorari

Text: On February 10, 2009, Mr. Sifuentes filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, the subject of which constitutes the matter presently before this Court. In his petition, Mr. Sifuentes has requested that this Court undertake a review of his sentence of life without the possibility of parole pursuant to § 12-19.2-5. In granting the petition for a writ of certiorari (over the objection of the state), this Court indicated that its review would be limited to two questions: (1) whether Mr. Sifuentes, in light of his failure to raise the issue in prior appellate proceedings in this case, should be deemed to have waived his § 12-19.2-5 right to this Court's review of    his life-without-parole sentence; and (2) whether, if such right is deemed not to have been waived, the sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole was appropriate in the circumstances of this case.