Snelgrove v. State (Revised Opinion)
Annotate this CaseAppellant was sentenced to death for the 2000 murders of an elderly couple. The Supreme Court affirmed Appellant's convictions but reversed the death sentences and remanded for a new penalty phase. After a new penalty phase, the trial court followed the jury's recommendation and imposed two death sentences for the murders. The Supreme Court affirmed the sentences, holding that the trial court did not err in (1) finding that Appellant was not mentally retarded; (2) admitting a video of a statement Appellant made to law enforcement; (3) instructing the jury on its advisory role and denying Appellant's proposed instruction regarding victim impact evidence; (4) allowing the prosecution to cross-examine mental health experts regarding their knowledge of the facts surrounding the murders; and (5) considering and weighing several aggravators and mitigators. Lastly, the Court found that the prosecutor made permissible comments at closing argument and that the death sentence was proportionate in this case.
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