DARRELL BELLARD v. STATE OF MARYLAND
Court of Appeals, Watts, March 31, 2017,
Sentencing- CR 2-304(a) – Following conviction for 1st-degree murder, the judge (not the jury) determines whether to sentence the defendant to life imprisonment or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole
DARRELL BELLARD v. STATE OF MARYLAND
Court of Special Appeals, Nazarian, August 31, 2016,
Murder – Sentencing – Statutory remnants of the repeal of the death penalty did not create a new sentencing procedure that allowed for election of sentencing by jury in 1st Degree Murder trials
ROBERT ANTHONY MCGHIE v. STATE OF MARYLAND
Court of Special Appeals, Graeff, Nov. 24, 2015,
Murder – The words “first degree” were not necessary where the jury convicted of “murder” and felony-murder was the only murder charge submitted for deliberation