State v. Parsons

HOWE, Associate Chief Justice:

Upon a plea of guilty, defendant Joseph Mitchell Parsons was convicted of murder in the first degree, a capital offense in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-202 (1978, Supp.1989). A sentencing proceeding was conducted under section 76-3-207 (1978, Supp.1989), and a jury unanimously imposed the death penalty. Defendant appeals his conviction and sentence.

In the late afternoon of August 30, 1987, defendant was hitchhiking on Interstate-15 near Barstow, California. The victim, Richard L. Ernest, stopped and offered him a ride. While defendant’s ultimate destination…