Beck v. Commonwealth

In this appeal, we review the capital murder convictions and the death sentences imposed by the trial court, sitting without a jury, on Christopher Beck. The principal issues presented are whether the trial court erred in receiving “victim impact evidence” from persons other than family members of the victims and in receiving “recommendations” concerning the imposition of the death penalty from the victims’ friends and family members.

I. PROCEEDINGS

Beck was charged with multiple offenses including capital murder, burglary, rape, robbery, and use of a firearm in the commission of these…