Betancourt v. Commonwealth

FITZPATRICK, Chief Judge:

Cassondra Sue Betancourt (appellant) was convicted in a jury trial of first degree murder in violation of Code § 18.2-32. The court accepted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced her to fifty years in prison. On appeal, appellant argues that: (1) the evidence was insufficient as a matter of law to convict her of first degree murder; (2) the court erred in admitting tapes and transcripts in violation of the best evidence rule; and (3) the court erred in denying appellant’s motion for a mistrial. Finding the evidence insufficient, we reverse the conviction. Because we…