Ragland v. Commonwealth

CLAY, Commissioner.

Appellant was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He asserts four reversible errors were committed at the trial.

It is first contended the trial court improperly excused forthwith those members of the jury panel who acknowledged they had conscientious scruples against the imposition of the death penalty. It is argued that while these jurors opposed the death penalty generally, further examination may have demonstrated they had no such reservations in this particular case.

RCr 9.36(1) provides in part:

“When there is reasonable ground to believe that a…