State v. Parks

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Davis, J.:

Phillip R. Parks appeals from a life sentence for the murder of his wife, Rachel Parks. The court permitted the victim’s sister-in-law to submit a victim impact statement and to make a statement at the time of sentencing. The defendant argues that admission of these statements violates both the constitutional and statutory laws of Kansas. He also contends that the inflammatory nature of the statements caused him substantial prejudice. We affirm the defendant’s sentence.

On January 24,1997, the defendant pled no contest to premeditated…