Smith v. Commonwealth

In the first phase of a bifurcated proceeding conducted pursuant to Code §§ 19.2-264.3 and -264.4, a jury convicted Roy Bruce Smith of capital murder in the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a law enforcement officer for the purpose of interfering with the performance of the officer’s official duties. Code § 18.2-31 (f). Then, in the second phase, the jury fixed Smith’s sentence at death.

In a subsequent sentencing hearing, the trial court received the report of a probation officer and imposed the sentence of death. Code § 19.2-264.5. Smith is here for automatic review of his…