State v. Carter

OPINION

HOLDER, J.

In this capital case, the defendant, Preston Carter, pled guilty and was convicted on two counts of felony murder. A jury sentenced him to death on both counts, finding that the murders of Thomas and Tensia Jackson were especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-2-203(i)(5). The jury imposed sentences of death based upon the presence of this sole aggravating circumstance.

On direct appeal to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the defendant raised numerous issues. The appellate court affirmed both his convictions and sentences. The defendant has…