State v. Gathers

Gregory, Chief Justice:

Appellant was convicted of murder and first degree criminal sexual conduct and sentenced to death. We affirm his convictions, reverse the death'sentence, and remand for a new sentencing proceeding.

The victim, Richard Haynes, was a thirty-two-year-old black male. He was a self-proclaimed preacher and called himself “Reverend Minister.” Haynes was attacked and killed by four black youths. He was stabbed in the stomach, beaten on the head with a bottle, and his rectum perforated by an umbrella inserted in his anus.

One of the four youths, Steven Hardrick, agreed to testify…