State v. Steffen

The instant appeal presents this court with numerous issues concerning the appellant’s convictions and the penalty of death subsequently imposed. For the reasons discussed infra, we affirm the judgment of the court of appeals in all respects and uphold appellant’s death sentence.

Appellant’s first two propositions of law challenge the trial court’s instruction to the jury that their recommendation of death would not be binding on the court, and that the final responsibility for the imposition of the death penalty rests with the court. Appellant cites Caldwell v. Mississippi (1985), 472 U.S.…