People v. Smith, Jr.

Summary

The court affirmed defendant's guilt convictions and torture special-circumstance finding but reversed the death judgment. It held that the trial court violated due process by excluding expert testimony about prison security measures that could have rebutted the prosecution's evidence and argument that defendant would remain dangerous in custody. The court found no reversible error in the guilt-phase claims, including venue, restraints, opinion testimony, and the sufficiency and constitutionality of the torture finding.