The Court 's ruling centers on the use of the slain victim 's words in the sentence . At issue was whether Covington 's remarks represented such testimony or were `` excited utterances '' that helped police assess a crime emergency . The murder conviction had been overturned because the dying words were used . In 6 - 2 ruling , the Court says that the words were admissible .
The Court 's ruling centers on the use of the slain victim 's words in the sentence . The murder conviction had been overturned because the dying words were used . In 6 - 2 ruling , the Court says that the words were admissible .