Richard Ralph Conte, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court affirmed Conte’s convictions for two counts of capital murder and two firearm enhancements. It held that substantial evidence supported the convictions, the nine-year precharging delay did not violate due process, the exclusion of speculative third-party-guilt evidence was proper, the challenge to evidence concerning the kidnapping was not preserved, and the challenged evidence was relevant and properly admitted. Justice Hart concurred in the result but expressed concern that the delay and restriction on third-party-guilt evidence may have undermined the fairness of the trial.