Wilson v. State

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Justia Opinion Summary

Appellant Edward Wilson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and related felonies in the killing of an undercover police officer in 1979. A three-judge panel sentenced Wilson to death for the murder. In 2005, Wilson filed his third post-conviction petition, raising several claims for relief. The district court dismissed the petition, concluding that Wilson's claims was procedurally defaulted and that he failed to demonstrate good cause and prejudice. At issue on appeal was whether the Supreme Court's decision in McConnell v. State (McConnell I) in 2004 invalidated two of the aggravating circumstances used to make Wilson eligible for the death penalty. The Supreme Court concluded that McConnell I did not preclude the State from relying on the same predicate felony to support felony murder and felony aggravating circumstances when Appellant had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder based on both premeditated and deliberate murder and felony murder. Because the Court concluded that this and Wilson's remaining claims did not warrant relief, it affirmed the district court's order.

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