Opinion ID: 1414732
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: estoppel to seek death penalty

Text: Powers next asserts the trial court erred in denying his motion to estop the state from seeking the death penalty where it failed to serve him with a Notice of Intent To Seek The Death Penalty for more than three years after his indictment. We find no estoppel. Powers' failure to raise a speedy trial motion precludes review of this issue. State v. Burroughs, 328 S.C. 489, 492 S.E.2d 408 (1997). In any event, the only notice requirement for the state to seek the death penalty is that the defendant be given 30 days notice prior to trial. S.C.Code Ann. § 16-3-26(A) (Cum.Supp. 1996); State v. Young, 319 S.C. 33, 459 S.E.2d 84 (1995). Powers claims, citing Riggins v. Nevada, 504 U.S. 127, 112 S.Ct. 1810, 118 L.Ed.2d 479 (1992), that the jury was entitled to see the true demeanor of the defendant at the time that the crime was committed. Riggins merely held that forced medication, during trial, denies a defendant due process unless it is essential to medicate the defendant to enable him to be tried. Riggins is inapplicable. As Powers was given the notice required by section 16-3-26, the trial court properly ruled the state was not estopped to seek the death penalty.