TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1997

Style: Williams v. State, No. 88,745

Facts: Williams was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death.
Claims: On appeal, Williams argues
(1) that it was error for the trial court to instruct thejury on and find as an aggravating circumstance that at the time of the murder Williamswas "under a sentence of imprisonment," based on the fact that he had escaped from ajuvenile detention facility; (2) that the court erred in allowing the state to argue to the jurythat they were required to recommend death if they found the aggravating circumstancesoutweighed the mitigating circumstances; and (3) that the death sentence in this case isdisproportionate based on the circumstances of the crime.