State v. Sheets

The appellant, Jeremy C. Sheets, was convicted on one count of murder in the first degree and one count of using a knife to commit a felony, and was sentenced to death on the murder charge. The crucial portion of the State’s case, which was admitted into evidence, was the taped confession of Adam Barnett, an alleged accomplice to the crime. The confession was made pursuant to a plea agreement while Barnett was in custody. Statements in the confession implicated Sheets in the crimes. Barnett was not available to testify, as he committed suicide before trial. Sheets appealed, contending that…