Dunlap v. Commonwealth
Annotate this CaseAppellant pled guilty to several crimes, including capital murder. The circuit court sentenced Appellant to death for his six capital crimes and to life imprisonment for rape, kidnapping, and arson. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding, inter alia, that (1) the trial court properly accepted Appellant’s guilty plea; (2) playing Appellant’s videotaped guilty plea colloquy for the jury did not constitute reversible error; (3) the trial court properly denied Appellant’s guilty but mentally ill plea; (4) the jury was properly selected; (5) the trial judge did not err in denying Appellant’s motion to exclude certain photographs; (6) the trial court properly denied Appellant’s motion to suppress statements he made to law enforcement officers and properly permitted the jury to watch his videotaped statement; (7) the jury instructions did not deny Appellant due process or reliable sentencing; and (8) Appellant’s sentences were constitutional, and his death sentences were not arbitrary and disproportionate.
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