Epps v. State

In this case appellant complains that he agreed to a bench trial on the condition that he would, if found guilty, receive only "one life sentence.” He was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of arson, for which he was sentenced to three concurrent terms of life imprisonment and two 30-year terms, also concurrent. These sentences, he contends, breached a bargain he had made with the State and invalidated his waiver of a jury trial. Also, he claims, the trial judge abused his discretion by denying the appellant’s motion to sever the two arson counts, thus entitling…