Salinas v. Commonwealth

COOPER, Justice.

Appellant Ruben Rios Salinas was convicted by a Fayette Circuit Court jury of murdering Aubrey L. (“Al”) Nuckolls, for which he was sentenced to life in prison, and for kidnapping Nuckolls, for which he was sentenced to life in prison without benefit of probation or parole. He appeals to this Court as a matter of right. Ky. Const. § 110(2)(b). We reverse and remand for a new trial because of (1) the improper introduction of hearsay evidence and (2) an improper instruction on the aggravating circumstance necessary for imposition of capital punishment.

At about 3:00 p.m. on…