Commonwealth v. Williams

OPINION

CASTILLE, Justice.

Following a three day jury trial, appellant was found guilty of first degree murder 1 and possession of an instrument of crime 2 in connection with the shooting death of James P. McDonnell. Following the penalty hearing, the jury found one aggravating circumstance 3 and no mitigating circumstances. After weighing the aggravating and mitigating cir cumstances the jury set the penalty at death. 4 Postverdict motions were argued and denied and the trial court imposed upon appellant the jury’s sentence of death. This automatic direct appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme…