State v. Fleming

PARKER, Justice.

Defendant John Henry Fleming was indicted on 23 September 1996 for the first-degree murder of Genie Pelham (“victim”). Defendant was tried capitally and found guilty of first-degree murder on the basis of premeditation and deliberation. Following a capital-sentencing proceeding, the jury recommended a sentence of death; and the trial court entered judgment accordingly.

The State’s evidence at trial tended to show the following. On or about 17 May 1996, defendant entered the home of the victim and assaulted him with a blunt object. Based upon the blood-spatter marks found at the…