Mr. Carter was convicted of the first-degree murders of Glenn Pafford, Elizabeth Reed and 16-year-old Courtney Smith, who were fatally shot in 2002. The jury voted 9-3 to recommend the death penalty for the murder of Mr. Pafford and 8-4 to recommend the death penalty for the murder of Ms. Reed. The jury voted to recommend a life sentence for the murder of Ms. Smith. The trial court followed the jury’s recommendations and condemned Mr. Carter to death for the murders of the two adults. This Court upheld the death sentences on direct appeal and Mr. Carter filed a post conviction challenge in trial court. It was denied and this appeal followed.