State v. Bolden

OPINION

ANDERSON, C.J.

We granted this appeal to determine two issues: first, whether a co-defendant’s testimony pursuant to a plea agreement with the prosecution violated the defendant’s rights to due process of law and a fair trial under the United States and Tennessee Constitutions; and second, whether the trial court erred in charging the jury to consider the lesser included offense of second degree murder over the defendant’s objection.

In affirming the defendant’s conviction for second degree murder, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that the co-defendant’s testimony did not violate the…