Document: 490 U.S. 638 109 S.Ct. 2055 104 L.Ed.2d 728 Paul C. HILDWINv.FLORIDA. No. 88-6066. May 30, 1989. Rehearing Denied July 3, See 492 927, 3268. PER CURIAM. 1 This case presents us once again with the question whether Sixth Amendment requires a jury to specify aggravating factors that permit imposition of capital punishment in Florida. Petitioner, Hildwin, Jr., was indicted for, and convicted of, first-degree murder. Under Florida law, offense is felony punishable by death or life imprisonment. Fla.Stat. § 782.04(1)(a) (1987). Upon defendant's conviction felony, court conducts separate sentencing proceeding after which renders an advisory verdict. 921.141 (Supp.1988). The ultimate decision impose sentence death, however, made finding at least one circumstance. Ibid. If imposes it must "set forth writing its findings upon based." In petitioner's case, returned unanimous verdict judge imposed sentence. order imposing sentence, trial found four circumstances: petitioner had previous convictions for violent felonies, he under imprisonment time murder, killing committed pecuniary gain, especially heinous, atrocious, cruel. nothing mitigation. 2 On appeal Supreme Court, argued scheme violates because permits without specific sufficient circumstances exist qualify defendant punishment. rejected this argument discussion affirmed death. 531 So.2d 124 (1988).* 3 Spaziano v. Florida, 468 447, 3154, 82 340 (1984), we claim on issue upheld against challenge judge's notwithstanding recommended senten e We stated: "The fact like respects significant Double Jeopardy Clause . does not mean Amendment's guarantee trial." Id., 459, S.Ct., 3161. did specifically note may only be if makes written when recommends imprisonment, follows forbid make authorize unanimously 4 Nothing our opinion McMillan Pennsylvania, 477 79, 106 2411, 91 67 (1986), suggests otherwise. Pennsylvania statute required mandatory minimum preponderance evidence visibly possessed firearm. noted law "neither alters maximum penalty crime nor creates calling penalty; operates solely limit court's discretion selecting within range already available it." 87-88, 2417-2418. Thus concluded requirement rather than violate "there no right sentencing, even where turns fact." 93, 2420. Like visible possession firearm McMillan, existence factor here element but instead "a comes into play has been guilty." 86, 2417. Accordingly, require authorizing jury. 5 motion leave proceed forma pauperis petition writ certiorari are granted, judgment Court 6 Affirmed. 7 Justice BRENNAN, dissenting. 8 Adhering my view all cruel unusual prohibited Eighth Fourteenth Amendments, Gregg Georgia, 428 153, 227, 96 2909, 2950, 49 859 (1976) (BRENNAN, J., dissenting), I would vacate case. 9 MARSHALL, 10 231, 2973, (1976), (MARSHALL, grant 11 Even hold view, dissent from Court's today affirm summarily below. continue believe summary dispositions deprive litigants fair opportunity heard merits create risk rendering erroneous ill-advised confuse lower courts. Bruder, 488 9, 11, 205, 207, 102 172 (1988) dissenting); Rhodes Stewart, 1, 4, 202, 204, Buchanan Stanships, Inc., 485 265, 269, 108 1130, 1132, 99 289 Commissioner McCoy, 484 7, 217, 219, 98 (1987) dissenting). error particularly unacceptable cases man's stake. dissent. * Petitioner present court, raised first Court. Respondent therefore argues below rests adequate independent state ground. rest procedural argument, there "no merit" claim. So.2d, 129. these circumstances, have jurisdiction reach merits. Caldwell Mississippi, 472 320, 327, 105 2633, 2639, 86 231 (1985).

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