Court Opinion

ID: 9714420
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:37:08.253121+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:26.007318
License: Public Domain

GIVAN, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissented to the original opinion in this case, Kennedy v. State (1991), Ind., 578 N.E.2d 633. I did not believe this Court was justified in remanding the case to the trial court for reevaluation of the imposition of the death penalty. On remand the trial judge has restated his reasons, which I believe are sound, for imposing the death penalty.
The evidence in this case supports the fact that Jackson and Kennedy acted in concert from the very beginning of the episode which led to the death of Michelle Seagraves. The trial judge was justified in concluding from the evidence that the concerted plan of the two defendants was the victim's death and that it was accomplished in a brutal and wanton fashion. I believe this Court is unjustified in overriding the trial court's decision.
I1 would affirm the trial court.