Taylor v. State, 808 So.2d 1148 (Ala. Crim. App. 2000)

Cases | Taylor v. State, 808 So.2d 1148 (Ala. Crim. App. 2000) | 2018

The defendant was convicted of four counts of capital murder. On appeal, the defendant contended that the trial court improperly considered death penalty recommendations offered as victim impact statements at sentencing by the victim’s friends and family members. The appellate court found no plain error. Statements regarding the impact of the crime on the victim’s family members are properly before a trial at sentencing, though the court may not consider victim-impact evidence regarding characterization of the crime, the defendant, or recommendations of an appropriate punishment. There was no evidence that the trial court considered the family members’ sentence recommendations.