THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1997

Style: Norton v. State, No. 88,803

Facts: Norton was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death. Heappeals his conviction and sentence.
Claims: Norton argues that the evidence was legally insufficient to prove his guilt offirst-degree murder; that a mistrial should have been declared on the ground that a statewitness commented on Norton's exercise of the right not to testify; that a new trial shouldbe ordered because the state asked a question of a witness that called for hearsay; thatthe court erred in failing to conduct an inquiry into a discovery violation by the state; thatthe jury instruction on premeditation was inadequate; that evidence of the details of aprior felony should not have been allowed at the penalty phase; and the death sentence isdisproportionate to the murder under the circumstances.