Weathers v. Commonwealth

SENIOR JUSTICE COMPTON

delivered the opinion of the Court.

In this criminal appeal, the sole question is whether the Court of Appeals of Virginia correctly affirmed a trial court’s action in admitting evidence of defendant’s prior convictions.

Indicted in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County for distribution of cocaine, defendant Phillip Weathers was found guilty by a jury. The bifurcated trial proceeded immediately to the sentencing phase. During that phase, over defendant’s objection, the trial court admitted evidence of defendant’s three prior felony convictions.

Subsequently, confirming the…