Davis Adv. Sh. No. 33
S.E. 2d
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Supreme Court
The State, Respondent,
v.
Johnny O'Landis
Bennett, Jr., Appellant.
Appeal From Lexington County
Ralph King Anderson, Jr., Judge
Opinion No. 24718
Heard October 7, 1997 - Filed December 1, 1997
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART.
Daniel T. Stacey, Chief Attorney, South Carolina
Office of Appellate Defense, of Columbia, for
appellant.
Attorney General Charles M. Condon, Deputy
Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant
Deputy Attorney General Donald J. Zelenka, Senior
Assistant Attorney General William Edgar Salter,
III, all of Columbia, and Solicitor Donald V. Myers,
of Lexington, for respondent.
WALLER, A.J.: Appellant, Johnny O'Landis Bennett (Bennett),
was convicted of murder, kidnaping, armed robbery and grand larceny. He
was sentenced to death for the murder, and consecutively sentenced to 25
years, and 5 years for armed robbery and larceny. We affirm the convictions
p. 13
STATE v. BENNETT
but reverse and remand for a new sentencing proceeding.
FACTS
The victim in this case, 24 year old Benton Smith (Victim), disappeared
on Tuesday, November 27, 1990. He was last seen leaving his residence in
the Happy Town area of Gaston, South Carolina with Bennett. The two left
in Victim's 1980 Toyota, en route to cash Victim's $147.00 unemployment
check. Victim cashed his check at 11:56 AM; this was the last time he was
seen alive. Bennett was seen driving Victim's automobile later that day; he
gave a number of items from Victim's car to friends.
Victim's car was subsequently found outside the school where Bennett's
mother worked. After giving a number of conflicting statements to police,
Bennett confessed to the murder,1 and led police to Victim's body near his
sister's home.
An autopsy revealed 70-75 stab wounds, primarily to Victim's head,
neck and upper back, inflicted with a Phillips head screwdriver. The cause
of death was internal bleeding or asphyxiation secondary to the stab wounds.
ISSUES2
1. Was Juror Number 137 improperly qualified?
2. Was Bennett denied of the opportunity to speak with the
Victim's father?
3. Was Bennett's character improperly placed into evidence by
the State?
4. Did the court erroneously charge the jury with respect to the
elements of armed robbery?
5. Did the state sufficiently prove the corpus delicti of the crime
1However, he maintained his innocence at trial.
2Although unnecessary to our decision today, we address a number of
the sentencing phase issues in order to prevent their recurrence at
resentencing.
p. 14
STATE v. BENNETT
of kidnaping independent of Bennett's statements to police?
6. Was the aggravating circumstance of torture properly
submitted to the jury?
7. Was Bennett deprived of the ability to make a religious
argument to the sentencing phase jury?
8. Did the court err in refusing to order the personnel records of
certain prison guards be disclosed to Bennett?
1. JUROR ROPER
At the end of the voir dire of Juror Number 137, the following
occurred:
Mr. Floyd: ... [D]o you understand that if -- if the jury were to
consider giving the defendant the death penalty, that all twelve
jurors would have to sign on that portion of the verdict concerning
the death penalty. Do you understand me on that?
A: I understand you.
Q: Now, if you had some reservations or doubt after hearing
everything as to whether or not the defendant should get the
death penalty and all eleven other jurors put their name on
the list, could you stand up to that and not put your name on
the list?
A: I believe I would have to go with the majority of the jury.
(Emphasis supplied). The state made no attempt at rehabilitation.
Defense counsel objected to the juror's qualification on the ground
Bennett would be denied an independent decision as to his punishment by
having a juror who would "go along with the majority." The trial court ruled
the juror qualified. Juror Number 137 was thereafter seated on the jury
after the defense had exercised all of its peremptory challenges. Bennett
contends the juror was erroneously qualified. We agree.
In a capital case, the proper standard in determining the qualification
of a prospective juror is whether the juror's views would prevent or
p. 15
STATE v. BENNETT
substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance
with his instructions and his oath. State v. Green, 301 S.C. 347, 392 S.E.2d
157, cert. denied, 498 U.S. 881, 111 S.Ct. 229, 112 L.Ed.2d 183 (1990) (citing
Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 424, 105 S.Ct. 844, 853, 83 L.Ed.2d 841
(1985)); State v. George, 323 S.C. 496, 476 S.E.2d 903 (1996), cert. denied__
U.S.__, 117 S.Ct. 1261, 137 S.E.2d 340 (1991). The determination of
whether a juror is qualified to serve on a death penalty case is within the
sole discretion of the trial judge and is not reviewable on appeal unless
wholly unsupported by the evidence. State v. Davis, 309 S.C. 336, 422 S.E.2d
133 (1992), cert. denied, 508 U.S. 915, 113 S.Ct. 2355, 124 L.Ed.2d 263
(1993). When reviewing the trial court's qualification or disqualification of
prospective jurors, the responses of the challenged jurors must be examined
in light of the entire voir dire. State v. Green, supra. The ultimate
consideration is that the juror be unbiased, impartial and able to carry out
the law as explained to him. Id.
In Wainwright, supra, the United States Supreme Court rejected the
notion that a prospective juror in a capital case could only be challenged for
cause if it were demonstrated the juror "unequivocally stated she would
automatically be unable to give a death sentence," 469 U.S. at 419, 105 S.Ct.
at 849. More recently, the Court recognized that a capital defendant may
challenge for cause any prospective juror who indicates he or she will
automatically vote for death in every case. Morgan v. Illinois, 504 U.S. 719,
112 S.Ct. 2222, 119 L.Ed.2d 492 (1992). "If even one such juror is impaneled
and the death sentence is imposed, the State is disentitled to execute
sentence." Id. at 729, 112 S.Ct. at 2231. The Morgan court rejected the
state's claim that general questions of fairness and impartiality were in all
cases sufficient to detect unqualified jurors, stating:
... such jurors could in all truth and candor respond affirmatively,
personally confident that such dogmatic views are fair and
impartial, while leaving the specific concern unprobed.
504 U.S. at 735.
Here, we find the juror's earlier generalized statements that he could
be fair and impartial and follow the law insufficient to cure his later,
unequivocal response that if the other eleven jurors voted for death, he would
"have to go with the majority of the jury." The juror's responses to the
general voir dire inquiry left uncovered the critical fact that he would not
have been "able to carry out the law as ... explained to him," State v. Green,
supra, but would, instead, have followed the majority. Accordingly, the trial
p. 16
STATE v. BENNETT
court's ruling that the juror qualified to serve is "wholly unsupported by the
evidence," and the case must be remanded for resentencing.3
2. VICTIM'S FATHER
Prior to trial, Victim's father, Paul Smith, advised defense counsel he
had been told by the solicitor not to talk to the defense. Bennett claims this
resulted in a due process violation. We disagree.
According to co-counsel for Bennett, they went to Smith's house on
August 10, 1995,4 and asked to speak to him about the case; Smith replied
that the last time this case had come up for trial, sometime in 1993, he had
been instructed by several attorneys at the solicitor's office to say he had no
comment about the case. At a hearing before the trial court on Aug. 17,
1995, the solicitor advised that nobody in his office had authorization to
advise Smith not to talk to the defense. The solicitor then suggested that he
could get the Smith family in his office, advise them in defense counsel's
presence that they could talk to the defense, and that if anyone from the
solicitor's office had ever advised them differently to disregard it. After
hearing testimony from defense counsel, the court issued an order on August
17, 1995 which was disseminated to the clerk of court and defense counsel.
The order provides that any witness has the absolute right to talk or not talk
to a person and that the decision is to be made by the witness. The order
provides that it is to be disseminated to any witness.
The trial in this case did not begin until nearly two months later, on
October 9, 1995. There is absolutely no indication in the record that defense
counsel sought to speak with Mr. Smith during this two month period.
Accordingly, it is possible that, had counsel attempted to do so, Smith may
have consented to talk to the defense. Having made no such showing,
Bennett has failed to demonstrate substantial interference with his right to
speak with Smith. See State v. Williams, __S.C. __, 485 S.E.2d 99
(1997)(where government improperly interferes with witnesses right to talk
3Juror Number 137's responses in no way reflect upon his ability to
serve in the guilt phase of the trial, nor does Bennett suggest the juror was
disqualified in that regard. On the contrary, in his brief and at oral
argument before this Court, Bennett sought only a resentencing in this
regard. Accordingly, our holding on this issue has no impact on the guilt
phase of the trial.
4The trial in this case was scheduled to begin on October 9, 1995.
p. 17
STATE v. BENNETT
with defense, defendant must demonstrate both substantial interference and
prejudice in order to obtain relief).
Moreover, the present record demonstrates no prejudice. Contrary to
Bennett's contention, Smith's testimony was not "critical" but was, rather,
cumulative to other testimony in the record. State v. McLeod, 303 S.C. 420,
401 S.E.2d 175 (1991) overruled in pt. on other grnds, State v. Evans, 307
S.C. 477, 415 S.E.2d 816 (1992); State v. Galloway, 305 S.C. 258, 407 S.E.2d
662 (Ct. App. 1991) (no prejudice to defendant where testimony is cumulative
to other evidence in the record). We find no error.
3. EVIDENCE OF BENNETT'S CHARACTER
Bennett next contends the State improperly introduced testimony which
reflected upon his character. We disagree.
At trial, Bennett denied killing Victim and claimed the last time he had
seen him, Victim was with their mutual friends, Tommy Furtick, Andre
Haskins and Isadore Mack. He claimed he had seen Victim alive on
Thursday morning. In reply, the state presented the testimony of Isadore
Mack who denied having seen Victim on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
During his questioning, Mack testified he, Furtick and Haskins had run into
Bennett on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1990 (the day after Victim disappeared) and
they all went to an Orangeburg motel. Mack testified that the next morning,
the four of them went back to Swansea. He was then questioned whether
the four of them had gotten separated, in Swansea, when the following
exchange occurred:
A. Yeah, we got separated. We -- some guys stopped us and --
Q. Okay, don't tell me what some other guys said ... tell what
you did as a result of your conversation with the other fellows.
A. We -- we gave him some drugs and told him to stand on the
corner and sell these until we get back.
Q. Talking about who.
A. Johnny.
Mr. Floyd. Objection, Your Honor. We object.
Mr. Humphries: Your Honor, They've opened that door. You've
already discussed that prior.
Court. Well, proceed from this point. Let's go forward.
Bennett claims Mack's testimony improperly placed his character in issue.
We disagree.
p. 18
STATE v. BENNETT
As an initial matter, Bennett's objection to the question is too vague to
preserve any issue for review. State v. Bailey, 253 S.C. 304, 170 S.E.2d 376
(1969); 4 C.J.S. Appeal and Error § 215 (1993)(trial judge commits no error
in overruling general objection). Here, as Bennett stated no grounds for his
objection, there is nothing for this Court to review.
In any event, we find Mack's testimony was relevant to rebut earlier
testimony elicited of Bennett's girlfriend, Bonita Gonsalves. Gonsalves
testified that on the day of Victim's disappearance, Bennett came to her
house driving Victim's vehicle. He had bandages on his hand and when
questioned about them, he told Gonsalves he had been in a fight with
someone who had given her drugs. The clear inference to be drawn from
Gonsalves' testimony was that Bennett was opposed to drugs. Mack's reply
testimony implying that Bennett was not as adamantly opposed to drugs as
claimed by Gonsalves was therefore within realm of permissible reply. State
v. Doby, 273 S.C. 704, 258 S.E.2d 896 (1979); State v. Outen, 237 S.C. 514,
118 S.E. 2d 175, cert. den., 366 U. S. 977, 81 S.Ct. 1948, 6 L.Ed.2d 1266
(1961), overruled in part on other grds. State v. Torrence, 305 S.C. 45, 406
S.E.2d 315 (1991).
4. ARMED ROBBERY
In charging the jury on implied malice necessary to sustain a murder
conviction, the trial court stated that "if one intentionally kills another with
a deadly weapon, the implication of malice may arise." Immediately,
thereafter, he defined a deadly object as.follows:
Under the law of the state of South Carolina, an object not
normally considered a dangerous or deadly object may under
some circumstances be used in a fashion or in such a manner as
to constitute a dangerous or deadly object. It is for you, the jury,
to determine and decide in this case beyond a reasonable doubt
whether a deadly or dangerous object was used.... Under the law
of the state of South Carolina, the hand or fist of a person is
not normally considered a dangerous or deadly object, but
under some circumstances a hand or fist of a person may be
used in such a fashion or in such a manner to constitute a
dangerous or deadly object.
(Emphasis supplied). Thereafter, in charging the jury on the offense of
armed robbery, the court noted that any person convicted of the crime of
robbery while armed with a deadly weapon is guilty of armed robbery. See
p. 19
STATE v. BENNETT
S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-330. The court noted that to commit armed robbery,
the robbery must have been committed with a deadly weapon and stated,
"Heretofore, I have defined for you in detail what a deadly object or deadly
weapon is."
Bennett contends the court erred in charging the jury that a hand or
fist could, under some circumstances, be considered a deadly weapon for
purposes of armed robbery. He contends that, unlike murder, a hand or fist
may not be considered a deadly weapon for purposes of armed robbery.5
As an initial matter, we note that Bennett's objection at trial does not
encompass his present argument. Counsel's only objection to the charge
given, as it related to both murder and armed robbery, was that the judge's
use of the term "deadly object" was confusing and that the court should have
used the term "deadly weapon." At no point did Bennett contend a hand or
fist could not be considered a deadly weapon for purposes of armed robbery.
Bennett's current argument is clearly not encompassed in his objection to the
trial court's instructions; accordingly, this issue is unpreserved. State v.
Hudgins, 319 S.C. 233, 460 S.E.2d 388 (1995), cert. denied__ U.S. __, 116
S.Ct. 821, 133 L.Ed.2d 764 (1996)(party may not argue one ground below
then argue different ground on appeal); State v. Bailey, 298 S.C. 1, 377
S.E.2d 581 (1989). In any event, however, we find no error in the trial
court's charge under the circumstances of this case.
There is a split of authority in other jurisdictions as to whether or not
hands, fist, teeth, and the like may be considered deadly weapons for
purposes of offenses such as assault and robbery. See generally Vitauts
Gulbis, Annotation, Parts of the Human Body, Other than Feet, As Deadly
or Dangerous Weapons For Furposes of Statutes Aggravating Offenses such
as Assault and Robbery, 8 A.L.R. 4th 1268 (1981). Under the law of this
state, and the facts of this case, however, we find the trial court properly
charged the jury.
A deadly weapon is generally defined as any article, instrument or
substance which is likely to produce death or great bodily harm. State v.
Scurry, 322 S.C. 514, 473 S.E.2d 61 (Ct. App. 1996); State v. Campbell, 287
S.C. 377, 339 S.E.2d 109 (1985). The question of whether an instrument
5He makes the same contention with respect to the aggravating
circumstances of robbery while armed with a deadly weapon and larceny
while armed with a deadly weapon, both of which were submitted to the
sentencing phase jury.
p. 20
STATE v. BENNETT
used in the commission of a robbery qualifies as a deadly weapon, thereby
qualifying the incident as armed robbery, is a factual determination for the
jury. State v. Gourdine, 322 S.C. 396, 472 S.E.2d 241 (1996); State v. Tasco,
292 S.C. 270, 356 S.E.2d 117 (1987).
Although we have not specifically addressed whether a hand or fist may
be considered a deadly weapon for purposes of-armed robbery, we have held,
in the context of murder, that a hand or fist may be considered a deadly
weapon. depending on the factual circumstances. "Whether an object has
been utilized as a deadly weapon depends upon the facts and
circumstances of each case." State v. Davis, 309 S.C. 326, 422 S.E.2d 133
(1992) (emphasis supplied). Although Davis was a murder case, nothing in
our opinion limits its application to murder.6
We find the factual circumstances of this case sufficient to submit the
issue to the jury. In one of his statements to police, Bennett admitted he
had struck Victim in the jaw hard enough to knock him unconscious.
Additionally, there is evidence that the blow to the chin suffered by Victim
was typical of that found in people who die in prize fights, and that it could
have caused a fatal concussion. Moreover, given the disparity of size between
the Victim and Bennett (Victim was 5'8" tall and weighed 135 pounds;
Bennett is 6'5" tall and weighs approximately 235-240 pounds), we hold that
it was for the jury to determine whether the hand or fist was a deadly
weapon.
Finally, even were we to hold that hands or fists may not be deemed
deadly weapons for purposes of armed robbery, Bennett suffered no prejudice
in this case. It is undisputed that Victim was stabbed some 70-75 times
with a Phillips head screwdriver, and Bennett raises no contention that the
screwdriver was not a deadly weapon. In State v. Keith, 283 S.C. 597, 325
S.E.2d 325 (1985), this Court held that when a defendant commits robbery
without a deadly weapon, but becomes armed with a deadly weapon before
asportation of the victim's property, a conviction for armed robbery will stand.
6We decline to limit the application of Davis in such a manner as to
produce the incongruous result of permitting a jury to find that a hand may
constitute a deadly weapon for purposes of the greater offense of murder, but
could not be a deadly weapon for purposes of armed robbery. Similarly, we
decline to permit the untenable result that a toy which is incapable of
producing bodily injury may be deemed a deadly weapon by the jury, and yet
a hand or fist, in circumstances in which it may inflict great bodily injury or
death, may not. See State v. Tasco, 292 S.C. 270, 356 S.E.2d 117 (1987).
p. 21
STATE v. BENNETT
Here, in light of the fact that the Victim was stabbed some 75 times, it is
inescapable that the perpetrator became armed prior to asportation of his
property. Accordingly, any error resultant from the charge is harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt, as the jury would necessarily have found armed
robbery from the use of the Phillips head screwdriver. Arnold and Plath v.
State, 309 S.C. 157, 420 S.E.2d 834 (1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 927, 113
S.Ct. 1302, 122 L.Ed.2d 691 (1993) (error is harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt where it did not contribute to the verdict obtained).
5. CORPUS DELICTI OF KIDNAPING
Bennett next asserts error in the denial of his motion for a directed
verdict on the kidnaping charge as the state failed to prove the corpus delicti
of the crime independent of his statement. We disagree.
The corpus delicti of kidnaping may be proved by circumstantial
evidence. State v. Davis, 309 S.C. 326, 422 S.E.2d 123 (1992); State v.
Owens, 291 S.C. 116,352 S.E.2d 474, cert. denied, 484 U.S. 982, 108 S.Ct.
496, 98 L.Ed.2d 495 (1987). Kidnaping is a continuing offense. The offense
commences when one is wrongfully deprived of freedom and continues until
freedom is restored. State v. Hall, 280 S.C. 74, 310 S.E.2d 429 (1983) (citing
State v. Zeigler, 274 S.C. 6, 10, 260 S.E.2d 182, 184 (1979)).
Here, the only direct evidence Victim was seized, confined, or carried
away came from Bennett's own statement that he had knocked Victim
unconscious then put him in the car and drove him to the ballfield in
Swansea.7 However, the pathologist testified that one of the blows to the chin
may have rendered Victim unconscious. Additionally, the Victim had
numerous defensive wounds on his hands, and his body was found in a
remote location buried in the woods behind Bennett's sister's house. Further,
Victim's automobile was found parked in a school parking lot where Bennett's
mother worked, some distance from the body. Moreover, there was testimony
that Victim was very possessive of his automobile and did not allow others
to drive it. Although circumstantial, a jury could have inferred from this
evidence that either Victim was forcibly taken to the woods, or that he was,
at some point, confined (as is evidenced by the defensive wounds), and later
taken to the woods. Accordingly, we find it is sufficient circumstantial
evidence to warrant submission of the kidnaping charge to the jury. State
7Bennett does not contest the sufficiency of this evidence to prove
kidnaping; he merely claims his statement is not corroborated by any other
evidence.
p. 22
STATE v. BENNETT
v. Butler, 277 S.C. 452, 290 S.E.2d 1, cert. denied, 459 U.S. 932, 103 S.Ct.
242, 74 L.Ed.2d 191 (1982) (aggravating circumstance is properly submitted
to jury if supported by any direct or circumstantial evidence); cf. State v.
Copeland, __ S.C.__, 468 S.E.2d 620 (1996) (circumstantial evidence of
manner of victim's disappearance, coupled with victim's unlikely voluntary
departure as evidence by his personal habits and relationships, sufficient to
establish corpus delicti of murder).
6. TORTURE
Bennett next asserts the aggravating circumstance of torture was
improperly submitted to the jury. We disagree.
In determining whether to submit an aggravating circumstance to the
jury, the trial court is concerned only with the existence of evidence, not its
weight. State v. Smith, 298 S.C. 482, 381 S.E.2d 724 (1989), cert. denied 494
U.S. 1060, 110 S.Ct. 1536, 108 L.Ed.2d 775 (1990). The aggravating
circumstance is properly submitted if supported by any direct or
circumstantial evidence. State v. Butler, supra.
In State v. Elmore, 279 S.C. 417, 308 S.E.2d 781 (1983), overruled in
part on other grounds, State v. Torrence, supra, this Court held that physical
torture occurs when a person is subject to "serious physical abuse" and
"aggravated battery." See also State v. Smith, 298 S.C. 482, 381 S.E.2d 724
(1989), cert. denied, 494 U.S. 1060 (1990) (physical torture occurs when the
victim is intentionally subjected to serious physical abuse prior to death).
Here, the evidence adduced during the guilt and sentencing phases revealed
that Victim had been stabbed in the head, back and neck some 70-75 times
with a Phillips head screwdriver. The defensive wounds tended to indicate
Victim was conscious at least through a portion of the attack, and there was
testimony that most of the wounds were inflicted before death. Dr. Sexton
testified that Victim could have lived between 3-15 minutes after the stab
wounds were inflicted. This is clearly sufficient evidence from which the jury
could have found Victim was intentionally subjected to serious physical abuse
prior to death.
Contrary to Bennett's assertion, the mere fact that the state's
pathologist testified this was not a "typical" case of torture is simply not
dispositive of the issue; the pathologist specifically testified that the multiple
injuries here could "in a sense" be interpreted as torture and that each of the
superficial wounds would have been painful. Further, although he testified
that the individual inflicting the wounds likely did not intend for the wounds
p. 23
STATE v. BENNETT
to constitute torture, they may have been interpreted that way by Victim.
We find the aggravating circumstance of torture was properly submitted to
the jury.
7. RELIGIOUS ARGUMENT TO JURY
During his pro se statement to the sentencing jury, Bennett stated:
BENNETT: Like I said, I've changed and I'm not going go sit
here and try to persuade you one way or the other in the ways
I have changed because that's between me and God and I'm not
afraid to die. Never was and never will be because I know when
I do leave here, its not going to be man passing the judgment on
me. It's going to be my God the Almighty creditor [sic] Himself
and God says vengeance is mine ---
SOLICITOR: Objection. He's going outside the evidence now,
Your Honor.
COURT: Stay within the record, Mr. Bennett.
BENNETT: But like I say, either way it goes, whatever you
decide, I can adapt .... I have adapted for five years and one day
this all is going to be over. It's all going to be behind me and
the judgment that you pass upon me now it's going to be
reversed. I mean, I'm not threatening you. It's something that
I believe in because I know that my God is for me and no man
can be against me and one day me and my family -- oh yeah, we
will walk out of here again hand-in-hand.
Bennett contends he was deprived of the right to make a religious argument
to the jury. We disagree.
The record clearly demonstrates that Bennett did, in fact, make his
religious argument to the jury. Accordingly, he has failed to demonstrate any
prejudice from the trial court's ruling. State v. Torrence, 305 S.C. 45, 406
S.E.2d 315 (1991) (no prejudice resultant from trial court's ruling where
witness is able to make point before the jury); State v. McDowell, 266 S.C.
508, 224 S.E.2d 889 (1976) (trial court's limitation of argument to jury did
not deprive defendant's ability to make point).8
8Since Bennett was able to make his religious point, we need not
address whether such argument would, in fact, be permissible before the jury.
p. 24
8. PERSONNEL RECORDS
At sentencing, Bennett sought disclosure of the personnel records of a
number of guards from the Lexington County Detention Center on the theory
they may have contained information with which he could have impeached
certain witness. The trial court ordered portions of the records disclosed, but
declined to release the remainder of the records, ordering them sealed for this
Court's review.
We have thoroughly reviewed the records sealed to this Court. Our
review reveals no relevant evidence which Bennett could have used for
impeachment purposes. Accordingly, the trial court committed no error in
refusing disclosure of these files.
Bennett's remaining issues are affirmed pursuant to Rule 220(b)(1),
SCACR and the following authorities: Bennett's Issue 8: State v. Kornahrens,
290 S.C. 281, 350 S.E.2d 180 (1986) cert. denied 480 U.S. 940, 107 S.Ct.
1592, 94 L.Ed.2d 781 (1987); State v. Franklin, 318 S.C. 47, 456 S.E.2d 357,
cert. denied 116 S.Ct. 160, 133 L.Ed.2d 103 (1995); State v. Williams, 321
S.C. 327, 468 S.E.2d 626, cert. denied, __ U.S. __, 117 S.Ct. 230, 136
L.Ed.2d 161 (1996); Bennett's Issue 10: State v. Byram, __ S.C. __, 485
S.E.2d 360 (1997); State v. Whipple, __S.C.__ , 476 S.E.2d 683, cert.
denied __ U.S. __, 117 S.Ct. 618, 136 L.Ed.2d 541 (1996); State v. Young,
319 S.C. 33, 459 S.E.2d 84 (1995), cert. denied 116 S.Ct. 718, 133 L.Ed. 2d
671 (1996); Bennett's Issue 12: Bozeman v. State, 307 S.C. 172, 414 S.E.2d
144 (1992); see also State v. Motley, 251 S.C. 568, 164 S.E.2d 569 (1968).
CONCLUSION
We affirm Bennett's convictions and the sentences imposed for armed
robbery and larceny. The sentence of death is reversed and remanded for a
new sentencing proceeding.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART AND REMANDED
FOR RESENTENCING.
But see generally Bennett v. Angelone, 92 F.3d 1336 (4th Cir.), cert. denied,
__U.S.__, 117 S.Ct. 503, 136 L.Ed.2d 395 (1996) (recognizing federal and
state courts which have condemned such arguments).
p. 25
TOAL, MOORE, BURNETT, A.J., and Acting Associate Justice
George T. Gregory Jr, concur.
p. 26