Mr. Winkles pleaded guilty to two first-degree murders. Elizabeth Graham was fatally shot in September 1980 after being kidnapped and raped over several days. Margaret Delimon was fatally drugged after being kidnapped and raped over several days in October 1981. Mr. Winkles waived his right to a sentencing hearing before a jury and the trial court condemned him to death for both murders. This Court upheld the convictions and sentences on direct appeal. Mr. Winkles then filed a postconviction challenge in trial court, which was denied. This appeal followed.