People v. Saathoff

The prosecution appeals from two rulings of the district court on questions of law pursuant to section 16-12-102(1), 8A C.R.S. (1986). In the first, the court did not permit the prosecution to introduce evidence of the defendant’s prior felony convictions during the sentencing phase for a class 1 felony, § 16-11-103, 8A C.R.S. (1986). The trial judge also refused to hold a habitual criminal sentencing hearing. We disapprove both rulings.

I

The defendant Ricky Dean Saathoff was charged with first degree murder after deliberation, § 18-3-102(l)(a), 8B C.R.S. (1986), first degree felony murder, §…