Pennsylvania v. King (majority)
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In this capital post-conviction matter, Carolyn Ann King appealed an order denying guilt-phase relief but granting a new sentencing hearing. In 1993, Appellant's co-defendant Bradley Martin received a prison visitation pass that allowed him to leave the Lebanon County prison where he was incarcerated. He met Appellant, with whom he was romantically involved, and failed to return to prison as required. Instead, the two traveled to Palmyra, where they visited Guy Goodman, with whom Martin was acquainted. After arriving at Goodman's home, Martin struck Goodman over the head with a vase, and the pair disabled Goodman by tightly binding his wrists, ankles, and neck. They then placed various wrappings around his head, sealing them with duct tape. Finally, they carried Goodman into the basement, tying him even more securely and wrapping him in a bedspread, and then leaving him to suffocate while they stole his checkbook and credit card and fled in his car. During their flight, Appellant and Martin used Goodman's credit card and checks to pay their expenses. Martin and Appellant were eventually apprehended in Arizona. In 2000, Appellant filed a timely, pro se petition under the Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA). Thereafter, she was given permission to file a counseled, amended petition, and her execution was stayed pending final resolution of her claims. New counsel for Appellant filed amended and supplemental petitions, raising numerous claims for collateral relief predicated on trial counsel's alleged ineffectiveness. The PCRA court ultimately denied Appellant's request for a new trial, finding all her guilt-phase claims meritless. It did grant Appellant a new penalty hearing based on its determination that her trial counsel had rendered ineffective assistance by failing to investigate and present any mental-health mitigating evidence. Upon review, the Supreme Court concluded that because none of the issues Appellant raised on appeal entitled her to a new trial, the order of the Court of Common Pleas was affirmed.
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