State v. Bell

Toal, Justice:

A jury convicted appellant, Larry Gene Bell, of the murder and kidnapping of Debra Mae Helmick. For these crimes, Bell was sentenced to death. We consolidate Bell’s direct appeal with our mandatory review of his death sentence pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-25 (1985). We affirm his conviction and sentence.

The facts of the instant case must be considered together with the facts surrounding the abduction and murder of Shari Faye Smith (hereinafter Shari). On the afternoon of Friday, May 31, 1985, Bell abducted seventeen year old Shari from beside the mailbox in front of her…