State v. Martin

In order to determine whether the appellant’s death sentence should be affirmed, this court is required to do three things. First, we must answer the specific issues raised by the appellant regarding the proceedings below. Second, we must independently weigh the aggravating circumstances in this case against any factors which mitigate against the imposition of the death penalty. Finally, we must independently consider whether appellant’s sentence is disproportionate to the penalty in similar cases.

Appellant alleges that the trial court wrongfully excluded four prospective jurors on the basis…