State v. Taylor

HOWE, Associate Chief Justice:

Defendant John Albert Taylor appeals his conviction of first degree murder, a capital felony in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-202, and his death sentence. Under that statute, criminal homicide constitutes murder in the first degree if the actor intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another under specified circumstances. The trial judge sitting without a jury found that defendant committed the homicide while engaged in the commission of or an attempt to commit or in flight after the commission of or attempt to commit rape of a child and/or object…