5.12 Post-sentence Reports

• Library: Trial of Capital Murder Cases in Virginia (Virginia CLE) (2019 Ed.)

5.12 POST-SENTENCE REPORTS

Section 19.2-264.5 of the Virginia Code provides that

[w]hen the punishment of any person has been fixed at death, the court shall, before imposing sentence, direct a probation officer of the court to thoroughly investigate the history of the defendant and any and all relevant facts, to the end that the court may be fully advised as to whether the sentence of death is appropriate and just. . . . After consideration of the report, and upon good cause shown, the court may set aside the sentence of death and impose a sentence of imprisonment for life. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the court

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