State v. Murillo

WHICHARD, Justice.

On 15 December 1992 a Hoke County grand jury indicted defendant for the first-degree murder of his wife, Beth Murillo. Upon defendant’s motion for a change of venue, the case was transferred for trial to Richmond County. Defendant was tried capitally, and the jury returned a verdict finding him guilty of first-degree murder on the basis of premeditation and deliberation. Following a capital sentencing proceeding pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-2000, the jury recommended that defendant be sentenced to death. For the reasons set forth herein, we conclude that defendant received a…