State v. Humphries

TOAL, Justice:

This is a death penalty case. Appellant Shawn Paul Humphries was tried and sentenced to death for the murder of Dickie Smith. Humphries admits his guilt but appeals his sentence, arguing there were several errors during the sentencing phase of his trial. We affirm.

Factual/Procedural Background

On January 1, 1994, Humphries shot Dickie Smith, the owner of the Max-Saver convenience store in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The evidence at trial established that on the night before the killing, Humphries and his friend Eddie Blackwell drove around drinking beer. They also stole a gun…