Jerry Lard, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court affirmed Lard's convictions for capital murder, attempted capital murder, and possession of methamphetamine, as well as his death, life, and ten-year sentences. It held that the challenged evidence was independently relevant to motive, intent, Lard's mental-state defense, or the experts' opinions; that the video evidence was not unfairly prejudicial; that the sequestration violation was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt; that unpreserved closing-argument claims were not reviewable; and that later changes to the execution method did not violate ex post facto principles. Justice Corbin, joined by Chief Justice Hannah, dissented, arguing that the jailers' testimony and tattoo photographs were unfairly prejudicial and that the death sentence required a new sentencing hearing.