Case Title: Commonwealth v. Sanchez, A., Aplt. (other)

Citation: 

Docket Number: 

State: pennsylvania

Court: Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Date: 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z

Document:
Other States’ Approaches to Atkins Procedure1 State Factfinder Timing Burden of Proof Source Alabama Judge. As soon as possible, preferably before trial. On defendant (preponderance) Morrow v. State, 928 So.2d 315 (Ala. Crim. App. 2004); Ala.R.Crim.P. 32. Alaska2 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Arizona Judge (death penalty notice triggers expert psychiatric review). And trier of fact if evidence of mental retardation is submitted in mitigation at penalty phase. Pre-trial. On defendant (clear & convincing evidence). Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-753 (2001). Arkansas Judge. And jury (unanimous) during penalty phase de novo, if judge denies claim. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Ark. Code § 5-4-618 (1993). California Jury. Or judge pre-trial if, within a reasonable time prior to trial, defendant waives jury. Post guilt phase, pre penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). Cal. Penal Code § 1376 (2003). Colorado Judge. Pre-trial. On defendant (clear & convincing evidence). Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-1102 (2002). Connecticut Trier of fact (jury or judge, if defendant waives jury). Penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance) (same as w/ mitigator). Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-46a (2001); State v. Rizzo, 833 A.2d 363, 376 & n.5 (Conn. 2003). 1 In several states, the statutory source of the procedure for adjudicating a mental retardation claim pre-dates the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Atkins. These states exercised their legislative prerogative to deem mentally retarded capital defendants ineligible for the death penalty, and indeed, the Atkins Court cited such existing statutes in support of its finding of a “national consensus” against execution of the mentally retarded. See Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304, 314-16 (2002). Two of these jurisdictions, Colorado and Maryland, relocated and amended the statutes referenced by the High Court in Atkins after the decision of the High Court. 2 No death penalty. Alaska Stat. § 12.55.125 (1978). State Factfinder Timing Burden of Proof Source Delaware Judge. And jury during penalty phase in mitigation, if judge denies claim. Penalty phase. On defendant (clear & convincing evidence). 11 Del. Code § 4209 (2002). Florida Judge. Penalty phase. On defendant (clear & convincing evidence). Fla. Stat. § 921.137 (2001). Georgia Trier of fact (jury, or judge if defendant waives jury). Guilt phase (verdict is “guilty but mentally retarded”). On defendant (beyond a reasonable doubt). Ga. Code § 17-7-131 (1988); But see Hill v. Schofield, 608 F.3d 1272 (11th Cir. 2010) (beyond a reasonable doubt burden unconstitutional), vacated & rehearing granted, 625 F.3d 1313 (11th Cir. 2010) (en banc). Hawaii3 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Idaho Judge. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Idaho Code § 19-2515A (2003). Illinois4 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. People v. Pulliam, 794 N.E.2d 214 (Ill. 2002) (legislature to devise Atkins procedure). Indiana Judge. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Ind. Code 35-36-9-5 (1994). Ind. Code 35-36-9-4 (1994); See Pruitt v. State, 834 N.E.2d 90 (Ind. 2005) (clear & convincing evidence burden of proof unconstitutional). Iowa5 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. 3 No death penalty. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-656 (1986). 4 Death penalty abolished effective July 1, 2011. 725 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/119-1 (2011). Governor Quinn has commuted all existing death sentences to life without parole and promised to do the same for any death sentences imposed until statutory abolition goes into effect. 5 No death penalty. Iowa Code §§ 707.2, 902.1 (1976). State Factfinder Timing Burden of Proof Source Kansas Judge. Post guilt phase, pre penalty phase. On defendant (unclear). Kan. Stat. § 21-4623 (1994), renumbered Kan. Stat. § 21-6622 (2011), eff. July 1, 2011. Kentucky Judge. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Ky. Rev. Stat. § 532.135 (1990). Bowling v. Commonwealth, 163 S.W.3d 361 (Ky. 2005). Louisiana Jury. Or judge pre-trial if parties agree. Penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 905.5.1 (2003). Maine6 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Maryland Trier of fact (jury, or judge if waives jury). Post guilt phase, pre penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). Md. Code, Criminal Law, §§ 2-202, 2-303 (2002); Md. Rules 4-343 (2009). Massachusetts7 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Michigan8 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Minnesota9 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Mississippi Judge. Pre-trial. URCCC 8.02. On defendant (preponderance). Chase v. State, 873 So.2d 1013 (Miss. 2004). Missouri Trier of fact (jury, or judge if defendant waives jury). Or judge pre-trial if parties agree in writing and with leave of court (does not waive right to re-submit to trier of fact). Penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). Mo. Stat. § 565.030 (2001). 6 No death penalty. 17-A Me. Rev. Stat. § 1251 (1976). 7 No death penalty since 1984. Commonwealth v. Colon-Cruz, 470 N.E.2d 116 (Mass. 1984) (1982 death penalty statute burdened right to trial and right not to plead guilty, and thus held unconstitutional). No Atkins procedure devised. 8 No death penalty. Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.316 (1980). 9 No death penalty. Minn. Stat. § 609.185 (1963). State Factfinder Timing Burden of Proof Source Montana10 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Nebraska Judge. Post penalty phase but pre-sentence. On defendant (preponderance). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-105.01 (1998). Nevada Judge. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Nev. Rev. Stat. 174.098 (2003). New Jersey11 Jury (either to negate element of crime or in mitigation at penalty phase). Or judge pre-trial if “reasonable minds cannot differ as to the existence of retardation.” Post guilt phase, pre penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). State v. Jimenez, 908 A.2d 181 (N.J. 2006) (establish guidelines but refer to procedural rules committee). New Hampshire12 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. New Mexico13 Judge. Or trier of fact at penalty phase (conclusive mitigator decided before considering other aggravators & mitigators). Any time. Pre-trial motion must be decided pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). State v. Flores, 93 P.3d 1264 (N.M. 2004), interpreting N.M. Stat. § 31- 20A-2.1 (1991), repealed. New York14 Judge. Or judge pre-trial if court has “reasonable cause” to believe defendant is mentally retarded. Post penalty phase if sentence is death. On defendant (preponderance). N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 400.27 (1995). 10 No Atkins procedure devised. 11 Death penalty was abolished by statute effective December 17, 2007. N.J. Stat. § 2C:11-3 (2007). Persons sentenced to death prior to December 17, 2007, are resentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole on motion to the sentencing court and waiver of any further appeals related to sentencing. N.J. Stat. § 2C:11-3b (2007). 12 No Atkins procedure devised. 13 Death penalty was abolished by statute effective July 1, 2009. N.M. Law 2009, Ch. 11, § 5. New statute applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2009. N.M. Law 2009, Ch. 11, § 6. 14 No death penalty since 2004. People v. LaValle, 817 N.E.2d 341 (N.Y. 2004) (mandatory jury instruction on death penalty deemed unconstitutional). State Factfinder Timing Burden of Proof Source North Carolina Jury. Or judge pre-trial at court’s discretion, or if prosecution consents (does not waive right to submit to jury). Post guilt phase, pre penalty phase. On defendant (clear & convincing evidence pre-trial, or preponderance at penalty phase). N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-2005 (2001). North Dakota15 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Ohio Judge. Pre-trial; but, may also be raised during trial. On defendant (preponderance). State v. Lott, 779 N.E.2d 1011 (Ohio 2002). Oklahoma Judge. And jury pre-penalty phase if judge denies claim (not death penalty eligible if unanimous jury decision, otherwise simple mitigator). Pre-trial. On defendant (clear & convincing evidence pre-trial, or preponderance at penalty phase). 21 Okla. Stat. § 701.10b (2006). Oregon16 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Rhode Island17 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. South Carolina Judge. And jury at penalty phase in mitigation, if judge denies claim. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Franklin v. Maynard, 588 S.E.2d 604 (S.C. 2003); S.C. Code § 16-3-20 (1992) (mitigation). South Dakota Judge. And jury during penalty phase in mitigation, if judge denies claim. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-27A-26.3 (2000). Tennessee Judge. And jury during penalty phase in mitigation, if judge denies claim. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Tenn. Code § 39-13-203 (1990). 15 No death penalty. N.D. Cent. Code §§ 12.1-16-01, 12.1-32-01 (1973). 16 No Atkins procedure devised. 17 Death penalty was abolished by statute effective May 9, 1984. R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-23-2 (1984). State Factfinder Timing Burden of Proof Source Texas Trier of fact (jury or judge) (accepted; required procedure not yet established). Penalty phase. (accepted; required procedure not yet established). On defendant (preponderance). Gallo v. State, 239 S.W.3d 757 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Williams v. State, 270 S.W.3d 112 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). Utah Judge. And jury during penalty phase in mitigation, if judge denies claim. Pre-trial. On defendant (preponderance). Utah Code § 77-15a-104 (2003). Vermont18 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Virginia Trier of fact (jury or judge, if no jury). Penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). Va. Code § 19.2-264.3:1.1 (2003). Washington Judge. Penalty phase. On defendant (preponderance). Wash. Rev. Code § 10.95.030 (1993). West Virginia19 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Wisconsin20 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. Wyoming21 n/a. n/a. n/a. n/a. 18 No death penalty. Vt. Stat. tit. 13, § 2303 (1965). But see Vt. Stat. tit. 13, § 3401 (death penalty for treason). No Atkins procedure devised. 19 No death penalty. W. Va. Code §§ 61-2-2, 61-11-2 (1965). 20 No death penalty. Wis. Stat. §§ 940.01, 939.50(3)(a) (1977). 21 No Atkins procedure devised. But see Wyo. Stat. § 7-11-302 (punishment of person with “mental deficiency”); § 7-11-301 (mental deficiency means defect attributable to intellectual disability, brain damage, and cognitive disabilities).