The Supreme Court today affirms the death sentence in People v. Sanchez. The defendant was convicted after two previous juries had not reached a verdict on allegations that more than 20 years ago he had murdered a mother and daughter and had raped the daughter.
The court’s unanimous opinion by Justice Ming Chin rejects numerous appellate arguments, including many concerning the testimony and earlier statements of the victims’ son and brother, who was five years old when the crimes occurred. The court also holds that the superior court did not err in admitting the defendant’s confession, despite claims of a Miranda violation and of involuntariness. It further finds prosecutorial misconduct during arguments to the jury, but concludes the misconduct was harmless.