Simmons v. Commonwealth

The broad question in this criminal appeal is whether the conviction is constitutionally valid. Specifically, the issues relate to legality of the seizure of defendant’s person, admissibility of defendant’s confessions to police, and existence of harmless error.

Indicted under Code § 18.2-32 for the murder of Caroline Hui Yoo, defendant Terry Lee Simmons, a career soldier, was found guilty by a jury of murder of the second degree. Punishment was fixed at 20 years’ imprisonment. The trial court confirmed the verdict and sentenced defendant accordingly. Simmons appeals the December 1981 judgment…