Court Opinion

ID: 9787398
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 00:15:47.448693+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:36:51.989783
License: Public Domain

Maupin, C. J.,
concurring and dissenting:
I would not impose a lesser sentence at this point. Rather, I would remand for a new sentencing hearing so that the jury can hear evidence from both Allen and Winkelman and determine which of these witnesses to believe. If the jury believes Allen over Winkelman, sentencing Servin to death is not excessive.
I recognize that this would amount to granting Servin relief on direct appeal from the ineffective assistance of his trial counsel, with regard to the failure to take measures to at least produce Winkelman’s evidence during trial proceedings. In my view, counsel’s failure to do so would inevitably lead to post-conviction relief. Thus, rather than delay the inevitable, we should solve this problem now.
Accordingly, I would not eliminate the option of a death sentence for Servin at this juncture.