Washington v. Commonwealth

In a bifurcated jury trial conducted pursuant to Code §§ 19.2-264.3 and -264.4, Earl Washington, Jr.,1 was convicted of the capital murder of Rebecca Lynn Williams, having killed her with premeditation subsequent to the commission of rape, Code § 18.2-31(e), and his punishment was fixed at death. After a sentencing hearing in which the probation officer’s report was considered, the court, on March 20, 1984, entered a final order imposing the death sentence. The defendant’s appeal raises questions concern*540ing pretrial publicity, the voluntariness of his confession, and the admissibility of…