Legal Opinion
Mason v. Commonwealth
Supreme Court of Virginia
Decided April 20, 1979No. Record 781607PublishedCited by 50 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtHarman, J.
Morris Odell Mason (defendant or Mason) is before the court for automatic review of his death sentence, Code § 17-110.1 A, which has been consolidated with an appeal from his conviction, Code § 17-110.IF. As required by statute, this case has received priority on our docket. Code § 17-110.2.
After a bifurcated bench trial, Mason, who pleaded guilty to capital murder, was convicted by the court of wilful, deliberate and premeditated murder during the commission of or following rape, Code § 18.2-31 (e), and, after a penalty hearing, his punishment was fixed at death. After a post-conviction…
2Cases cited13 opinions
- Gregg v. GeorgiaSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
- Jurek v. TexasSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
- Proffitt v. FloridaSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
- United States Ex Rel. Smith v. BaldiSupreme Court of the United States · 1953
- Smith v. CommonwealthSupreme Court of Virginia · 1978
8 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by50 opinions
- Fox v. CustisSupreme Court of Virginia · 1988
- Stamper v. CommonwealthSupreme Court of Virginia · 1979
- Coleman v. CommonwealthSupreme Court of Virginia · 1983
- Stockton v. CommonwealthSupreme Court of Virginia · 1984
- Gray v. CommonwealthSupreme Court of Virginia · 1987
45 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.