Court Opinion

ID: 9721309
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:55:56.614206+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:24.625626
License: Public Domain

SHEPARD, Chief Justice,
concurring in result.
I agree with most of the analysis in the plurality opinion but believe that it leaves unresolved the very first issue under discussion-viectim impact. Justice Pivarnik notes that Hough did not object to the prosecutor's reference to letters from the victim's family and his introduction of family members in open court during the sentencing hearing before Judge Meyers. The plurality opinion notes that failure to object waives the issue on appeal unless there was error so fundamental as to warrant excusing the failure. It proceeds to analyze the merits of Hough's victim impact argument and concludes: "No error is presented on this issue." To this I would add, because there is no fundamental error, the issue is waived.
I join in affirming the judgment of the trial court.