Document: 464 U.S. 1 104 S.Ct. 20 78 L.Ed.2d James David AUTRY, Petitioner,v.W.J. ESTELLE, Jr., Director, Texas Department of Corrections.No. A-197. Oct. 3, 1983. PER CURIAM. Applicant was sentenced to death for killing two people while robbing a convenience store. His conviction and sentence were affirmed by the Court Criminal Appeals. We denied certiorari. then sought habeas corpus in state system; that request denied. He filed federal district court, presenting some same claims had been unavailing courts. The District held hearing an opinion denying writ. In detailed opinion, 706 F.2d 1394, Appeals Fifth Circuit judgment Court. It rehearing, 712 1416, as well stay pending filing petition certiorari this from Justice, who referred application Absent stay, applicant will be executed on October 5. 2 is grounds which would are amply evident his opinions proceedings Had convinced four members granted any claims, issue. But not case; fewer than Justices grant thus fails satisfy one basic requirements issuance stay. 3 Nor we inclined adopt rule calling automatic regardless merits presented, where seeking review denial first petition. Petitioner has twice relief court system. also presented United States None these judges found sufficient merit applicant's warrant setting aside or sentence. did believe warranted. Those judges, stating they "fully sensitive consequences our oaths," 1408, each without dismissal circumstances, it quite appropriate deny sentence, just do other criminal cases As said last term Barefoot v. Estelle, --- ----, 103 3383, 3391, 77 1090: 4 "[I]t must remembered direct appeal primary avenue penalty no exception. When process review—which, if question involved, includes right writ certiorari—comes end, presumption finality legality attaches role proceedings, important assuring constitutional rights observed, secondary limited. Federal courts forums relitigate trials. Even less means defendant entitled delay execution indefinitely. procedures adopted facilitate orderly consideration disposition petitions legal entitlements pursue irrespective contribution make toward uncovering error." 5 Justice BRENNAN, with whom MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 6 I join STEVENS' dissent, because continue adhere my view all circumstances cruel unusual punishment prohibited Eighth Fourteenth Amendments, Gregg Georgia, 428 153, 227, 96 2909, 2950, 49 13 (1976) (BRENNAN, J., dissenting), would, case, execution. 7 STEVENS, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN join, 8 Last year Autry State, 626 S.W.2d 758 (Tex.Cr.App.), cert. denied, 180, 74 147 (1982). On January 14, 1983, Eastern pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 2254 after holding evidentiary hearing. June 17, full briefing argument, issued carefully prepared 16-page affirming Court's 1394. Rehearing August 4, September 1, authorities scheduled 5, applied Attorney General does oppose application. 9 time may file expire until November 2, 1983—four weeks Thus, unless granted, before petitioning expires. 10 makes clear frivolous. Moreover, since proceeding, confronted prospect indefinite exists when burdened judicial system successive petitions. hand, basis papers have date, acknowledge am presently unable establish should My however, necessarily tentative contains only synopsis arguments counsel intends yet filed. 11 decision depends assessment likelihood such balancing relative hardships parties. merely subjects continuing harm subsequently petition, demonstrates granted. If transpires case incorrect, error can corrected granting though naturally nothing eliminate interim suffered. instant final question—a renders moot. impact therefore sense tentative, but based probability rather actuality. Accordingly, preliminary negative evaluation end analysis; balance strike favor raising nonfrivolous challenge capital proceeding. importance fully informed predominates over interests expeditious its judgment. 12 sense, practical raised whether give petitioners row prepare litigants receive. Unless frivolous, overriding interest evenhanded administration justice served according individual opportunity seek accorded individuals. practice majority effectively confers upon power dictate period scheduling prior expiration Shortening allowed ad hoc injects uncertainty disparity into procedure, adds burdens counsel, distorts deliberative within Court, increases risk error. Procedural shortcuts always dangerous.* anything, greater, lesser care taken avoid irreversible. 14 respectfully dissent. * "In preservation order communities best ensured adherence established respected procedures. Resort procedural expediency occasional conviction, martyrs common criminals." Groppi Leslie, 436 331, 336 (CA7 1971) (en banc) (STEVENS, dissenting).

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