In Brief
A death-row convict challenged his death sentence in a review petition for kidnapping and murdering a 7-year-old child for ransom. The Court confirmed his guilt based on eyewitness testimony and recovery of the victim's body. However, it found that the trial and appellate courts failed to conduct a separate sentencing hearing or consider mitigating factors before awarding capital punishment. The Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment for 20 years without remission, holding that before imposing death, courts must seriously consider the convict's potential for reformation. The Court also initiated contempt proceedings against police for concealing information about the convict's prison conduct.
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