Savino v. Commonwealth

I

Proceedings

On April 24, 1989, Joseph John Savino pled guilty to a capital murder indictment which charged that he “did willfully, deliberately, feloniously and with premeditation, kill and murder Thos ‘Thomas’ McWaters, Jr. in the commission of robbery while armed with a deadly weapon,” in violation of Code § 18.2-31(d). At that time, Savino also pled guilty to an indictment charging him with committing the underlying robbery. Upon entry of the pleas, the trial court concluded as follows:

Based upon the pleas of guilty, the statement of constitutional rights form [executed by the accused] and…