Commonwealth v. Sterling

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Kephart,

Joseph Sterling pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. The court below, after hearing the Commonwealth’s evidence, fixed the degree of the crime as murder in the first degree and sentenced Sterling to death.

The sole question is whether the penalty fixed by the lower court, when considered in relation to the acts done by defendant, is too severe and disproportionate; should it be mitigated to life imprisonment?

This court has the power to reverse, modify or affirm the judgment of the trial court, not only by statutory authority, but as an inherent judicial…