Trial of Capital Murder Cases in Virginia (Virginia CLE)

Chapter 1 Introduction

• 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

• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Willful, Deliberate, and Premeditated
• 2.3 “in the Commission Of”
• 2.4 Killing of “any Person”
• 2.5 “triggerman” (immediate Perpetrator) Rule
• 2.6 Specific Subsections of
• 2.7 Adding Capital Murder Counts to the Indictment

Chapter 3 Pretrial Procedures

• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Bail
• 3.3 Preliminary Hearing
• 3.4 Joinder and Severance
• 3.5 Pretrial Motions
• 3.6 Bill of Particulars
• 3.7 Motions in Limine
• 3.8 Motions to Appoint Experts and Investigators
• 3.9 Discovery
• 3.10 Access to Forensic Evidence
• 3.11 Reciprocal Discovery by Commonwealth
• 3.12 Competence to Stand Trial
• 3.13 Insanity Defense
• Appendix 3-1 Bail Papers
• Appendix 3-2 Wolfe Bond Motion
• Appendix 3-3 Motion to Declare the Virginia Capital Murder and Death Penalty Statutes Unconstitutional
• Appendix 3-4 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 3-5 Motion for a Bill of Particulars Under Section 19.2-230
• Appendix 3-6 Motion for a Bill of Particulars Under Section 19.2-266.2
• Appendix 3-7 Motion to Enjoin Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Uniforms in Courtroom while Sitting as Spectators, or Grant Other Appropriate Relief
• Appendix 3-8 Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Enjoin Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Uniforms in the Courtroom as Spectators
• Appendix 3-9 Motion for Appointment of Qualified Experts
• 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 Motion for Ex Parte Hearing (experts)
• Appendix 3-13 Attorney Affidavit for Motion for Ex Parte Hearing (experts)
• Appendix 3-14 Motion for Appointment of an Expert on Conditions of Incarceration
• Appendix 3-15 Memorandum in Support of Motion for Appointment of an Expert on Conditions of Incarceration
• Appendix 3-16 Motion for Discovery and Inspection
• Appendix 3-17 Memorandum in Support of Discovery Motion
• Appendix 3-18 Request for Forensic Analysis (motion for Testing of Human Hair)
• Appendix 3-19 Order Directing Forensic Analysis (testing of Human Hair)
• Appendix 3-20 Motion to Declare Alibi Provision Unconstitutional

Chapter 4 Trial

• 4.1 Right to Fair Trial
• 4.2 Right to Public Trial
• 4.3 Jury Selection
• 4.4 Selection of the Petit Jury
• 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 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

• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 “eligibility” and “selection” Phases
• 5.3 Aggravating Factors
• 5.4 Mitigation
• 5.5 Exclusion of Mitigating Evidence
• 5.6 Instructions Concerning Parole Eligibility
• 5.7 Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms
• 5.8 Closing Argument
• 5.9 Defendant’s Presence During Jury Deliberations
• 5.10 Polling the Jury
• 5.11 Impeaching the Jury’s Verdict
• 5.12 Post-sentence Reports
• 5.13 Resentencing Hearings
• Appendix 5-1 Sample Jury Verdict Forms
• Appendix 5-2 Motion to Declare the “continuing Threat” Aggravating Factor Unconstitutional in Light of Lawlor V. Commonwealth