CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION (back to top)1.1 PURPOSE
1.2 CONCEPT OF CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT
1.3 PROCEDURAL ASPECTS OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT
1.4 SUBSTANTIVE ASPECTS OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT
1.5 EFFECT OF FEDERAL REVIEW ON TRIAL
1.6 FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN PRACTICE
CHAPTER 2: THE CAPITAL MURDER STATUTE (back to top)2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 WILLFUL, DELIBERATE, AND PREMEDITATED
2.201 Premeditation
2.202 Effect of Voluntary Intoxication
2.203 Effect of Diminished Capacity
2.3 “IN THE COMMISSION OF”
2.4 KILLING OF “ANY PERSON”
2.5 “TRIGGERMAN” (IMMEDIATE PERPETRATOR) RULE
2.6 SPECIFIC SUBSECTIONS OF SECTION 18.2-31
2.601 Abduction: Section 18.2-31(1)
2.602 Murder for Hire: Section 18.2-31(2)
2.603 Murder by Prisoner: Section 18.2-31(3)
2.604 Robbery: Section 18.2-31(4)
2.605 Rape, Forcible Sodomy, Object Sexual Penetration: Section 18.2-31(5)
2.606 Murder of Law-Enforcement Officer: Section 18.2-31(6)
2.607 Simultaneous Murders: Section 18.2-31(7)
2.608 Multiple Murders Within Three-Year Period: Section 18.2-31(8)
2.609 Drug-Related Murders: Section 18.2-31(9)
2.610 Murder Pursuant to Continuing Criminal Enterprise: Section 18.2-31(10)
2.611 Murder of Pregnant Woman: Section 18.2-31(11)
2.612 Murder of a Person Under the Age of 14 by a Person Age 21 or Older:
Section 18.2- 31(12)
2.613 Murder of a Person During the Commission of an Act of Terrorism:
Section 18.2-31(13)
2.614 Murder of a Judge: Section 18.2-31(14)
2.615 Murder of a Witness Under Subpoena: Section 18.2-31(15)
2.7 ADDING CAPITAL MURDER COUNTS TO THE INDICTMENT
CHAPTER 3: PRETRIAL PROCEDURES (back to top)3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 BAIL
3.3 PRELIMINARY HEARING
3.4 JOINDER AND SEVERANCE
3.401 Joinder of Defendants
3.402 Joinder of Offenses
3.5 PRETRIAL MOTIONS
3.501 Motions That May Be Raised Pretrial
3.502 Issues That Must Be Raised Pretrial
3.6 BILL OF PARTICULARS
3.7 MOTIONS IN LIMINE
3.8 MOTIONS TO APPOINT EXPERTS AND INVESTIGATORS
3.9 DISCOVERY
3.901 Discovery Under Rule 3A:11
3.902 Constitutional Discovery
3.10 ACCESS TO FORENSIC EVIDENCE
3.11 RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY BY COMMONWEALTH
3.12 COMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL
3.13 INSANITY DEFENSE
3.1301 Preliminary Evaluation
3.1302 Notice
3.1303 Evaluation by Commonwealth
3.1304 Discovery by Commonwealth
3.1305 Use of Sanity Evaluations at Guilt or Innocence Trial
3.1306 Use of Mental Evaluations at Penalty Phase
APPENDIX 3-1: BAIL PAPERS
APPENDIX 3-2: MOTION TO DECLARE THE VIRGINIA CAPITAL
MURDER AND DEATH PENALTY STATUTES
UNCONSTITUTIONAL
APPENDIX 3-3: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT’S
MOTIONS TO DECLARE THE VIRGINIA CAPITAL
MURDER AND DEATH PENALTY STATUTES
UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND TO PROHIBIT THE
IMPOSITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
APPENDIX 3-4: MOTION FOR BILL OF PARTICULARS
APPENDIX 3-5: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR A
BILL OF PARTICULARS
APPENDIX 3-6: MOTION TO ENJOIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
FROM WEARING UNIFORMS IN COURTROOM WHILE
SITTING AS SPECTATORS, OR GRANT OTHER
APPROPRIATE RELIEF
APPENDIX 3-7: MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF MOTION
TO ENJOIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM
WEARING UNIFORMS IN THE COURTROOM AS
SPECTATORS
APPENDIX 3-8: MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF FORENSIC
EXPERT
APPENDIX 3-9: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR
APPOINTMENT OF FORENSIC EXPERT
APPENDIX 3-10: MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF EXPERT
INVESTIGATOR
APPENDIX 3-11: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR
APPOINTMENT OF AN EXPERT INVESTIGATOR
APPENDIX 3-12 MEMORANDUM OF LAW REGARDING DEFENDANT’S
APPENDIX 3-13: MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN EXPERT ON
CONDITIONS OF INCARCERATION
APPENDIX 3-14: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR
APPOINTMENT OF AN EXPERT ON CONDITIONS OF
INCARCERATION
APPENDIX 3-15: MOTION FOR DISCOVERY AND INSPECTION
APPENDIX 3-16: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF DISCOVERY MOTION
CHAPTER 4: TRIAL (back to top)4.1 RIGHT TO FAIR TRIAL
4.2 RIGHT TO PUBLIC TRIAL
4.201 Scope of Right
4.202 Defendant’s Presence During Trial
4.3 JURY SELECTION
4.301 Selection of the Array
4.302 Statutory Challenges
4.303 Constitutional Challenges
4.4 SELECTION OF THE PETIT JURY
4.401 Voir Dire
4.402 Challenges for Cause
4.403 Peremptory Challenges
4.5 CHANGE OF VENUE
4.6 ENTERING A GUILTY PLEA
APPENDIX 4-1: MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE
APPENDIX 4-2: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR
CHANGE OF VENUE
APPENDIX 4-3: MOTION FOR INDIVIDUAL AND SEQUESTERED
VOIR DIRE
APPENDIX 4-4: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR
INDIVIDUAL AND SEQUESTERED VOIR DIRE
APPENDIX 4-5: MOTION FOR ADDITIONAL PEREMPTORY
CHALLENGES
APPENDIX 4-6: MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR
ADDITIONAL PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES
APPENDIX 4-7: MOTION TO DISMISS JURY AND RE-IMPANEL
VENIRE
CHAPTER 5: THE PENALTY TRIAL (back to top)5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.101 Eligibility Phase
5.102 Selection Phase
5.2 AGGRAVATING FACTORS
5.201 Vileness
5.202 Future Dangerousness
5.203 Victim Impact Evidence
5.204 Victims’ Statements
5.3 MITIGATION
5.301 Statutory Factors
5.302 Nonstatutory Factors
5.4 EXCLUSION OF MITIGATING EVIDENCE
5.401 Irrelevant Evidence
5.402 Mental Health Evidence
5.5 INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING PAROLE ELIGIBILITY
5.6 JURY INSTRUCTIONS AND VERDICT FORMS
5.7 CLOSING ARGUMENT
5.701 Appeals to Emotions
5.702 “Send a Message” Arguments
5.703 Information on the Appellate Process
5.704 Religious Arguments
5.8 DEFENDANT’S PRESENCE DURING JURY DELIBERATIONS
5.9 POLLING THE JURY
5.10 IMPEACHING THE JURY’S VERDICT
5.11 POST-SENTENCE REPORTS
5.12 RESENTENCING HEARINGS
APPENDIX 5-1: SAMPLE JURY VERDICT FORMS
TABLE I: CASE HISTORIES
TABLE II: AGGRAVATION AND MITIGATION EVIDENCE
TABLE III: CASES BY AGGRAVATOR
TABLE IV: STATUTORY SECTIONS USED
TABLE V: INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL ISSUES
INDEX