State v. Battle

BILLINGS, Judge.

Defendant Thomas Henry Battle was convicted and sentenced to death for the capital murder of an 80-year-old woman. He contends the death sentence violates the Missouri Constitution, his inculpatory statements were unconstitutionally tainted and improperly admitted at trial, the trial court erred in the jury selection process and instructions to the jury, the trial court should have declared a “hung jury” during the penalty phase of the trial, and, lastly, the death sentence should be set aside because it was imposed under the influence of passion and is excessive and…