Commonwealth v. Hill

I

In this appeal,- we consider whether a criminal defendant who was indicted for non-capital offenses was entitled to ask members of the jury panel during voir dire about the range of punishment that could be imposed upon him in the event he was found guilty.

II

Ernest Oliver Hill, Jr., was indicted by a grand jury of the City of Richmond for rape in violation of Code § 18.2-61, forcible sodomy in violation of Code § 18.2-67.1, statutory burglary in violation of Code § 18.2-91, and robbery in violation of Code § 18.2-58. During the voir dire of the jury panel, the following colloquy occurred…