Document: 428 U.S. 262 96 S.Ct. 2950 49 L.Ed.2d 929 Jerry Lane JUREK, Petitioner,v.State of TEXAS. No. 75-5394. Argued March 30, 1976. Decided July 2, Stay Granted 22, See 429 1301, 3235. Rehearing Denied Oct. 4, 875, 97 198. Syllabus Petitioner, who was convicted murder and whose death sentence upheld on appeal, challenges the constitutionality Texas procedures enacted after this Court's decision in Furman v. Georgia, 408 238, 92 2726, 33 346. The new Penal Code limits capital homicides to intentional knowing murders committed five situations. also adopted a capital-sentencing procedure, which requires jury answer following three questions proceeding that takes place verdict finding person guilty one specified categories; (1) whether conduct defendant causing deliberately with reasonable expectation would result; (2) it is probable commit criminal acts violence constituting continuing threat society; (3) if raised by evidence, defendant's an unreasonable response provocation, any, deceased. If finds State has proved beyond doubt each affirmative imposed; any question negative life imprisonment results. Court Criminal Appeals case indicated will interpret "continuing society" mean could consider various mitigating factors. Held : judgment affirmed. Pp. 268-277; 277; 278-279; 279. Tex.Cr.App., 522 S.W.2d 934, Mr. Justice STEWART, POWELL, STEVENS concluded that: 1. imposition penalty not Per se cruel unusual punishment violation Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. Gregg, U.S., at 168-187, S.Ct., 2922-2932. P. 268. 2. do violate Texas' action narrowing offenses categories essence find existence statutory aggravating circumstance before may be imposed, thus requiring sentencing authority focus particularized nature crime. And, though statute does explicitly speak circumstances, been construed embrace jury'consideration such circumstances. Thus, as cases Gregg 153, 2909, 859, Proffitt Florida, 242, 2960, 913, procedure guides focuses jury's objective consideration circumstances individual offense offender can impose death. law eliminated arbitrariness caprice system invalidated Furman. Petitioner's contentions contrary are without substance. 268-276. (a) His assertion still pervades entire justice fundamentally misinterprets 198-199, 2937. 274. (b) contention second unconstitutionally vague because prediction human behavior lacks merit. task answering must commonly performed throughout American system, clearly satisfies essential requirement have all possible relevant information about defendant. 274-276. Chief concurred judgment. Supra, 375, 2796 (Burger, C. J., dissenting) 277. WHITE, joined THE CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST, under revised substantive crime narrowly defined when occurs detailed statute, Must imposed makes certain additional findings against arbitrary or discretionary features nevertheless remain substance, Roberts Louisiana, 325, 348-350, 3001, 3013-3014, 974 (White, dissenting); 224-225, 2948-2949 concurring judgment), his Amendment forbids 350-356, 3014-3017, 278-279. BLACKMUN 405-414, 2811-2816, 346 (Blackmun, dissenting), Id., 414, 465, 2796, 2816, 2841. Anthy G. Amsterdam, Stanford, Cal., for petitioners. John L. Hill, Austin, Tex., Texas. William E. James, Los Angeles, argued California, amicus curiae. Sol. Gen. Robert H. Bork, Washington, D. C., United States, Judgment Court, opinion STEVENS, announced STEVENS. 1 issue violates Amendments Constitution. 2 * petitioner case, Jurek, charged indictment killing Wendy Adams 3 [Amicus Curiae Information from page 264 intentionally omitted] "by choking strangling her hands, drowning water throwing into river course committing attempting kidnapping forcible rape upon said Adams."1 4 evidence trial consisted incriminating statements made petitioner,2 testimony several people saw deceased during day she killed, technical evidence. This established petitioner, 22 years old time, had drinking beer afternoon. He two young friends later went driving together pickup truck. expressed desire sexual relations some girls they saw, but companions were too young. then dropped off pool hall. next seen talking Wendy, 10 old, public swimming where grandmother left swim. Other witnesses testified observed man resembling truck through town high rate speed, blond girl standing screaming bed last witness them heard crying "help me, help me." tried follow them, lost traffic. According petitioner's statement, he took river, choked her,3 threw unconscious body river. Her drowned found downriver days later. 5 At conclusion returned guilty. 6 offense, court separate same guilt. Any introduced proceeding, both prosecution defense present argument presented (sometimes three) questions,4 answers determine imposed. 7 During phase trial, bad reputation community. father countered always steadily employed since school contributed family's support. 8 considered case: another result, there probability constitute society. unanimously answered "yes" questions, judge, therefore, accordance sentenced affirmed 934 (1975). 9 We granted certiorari, 423 1082, 1090, 47 93, States II argues reject reasons stated today 2922-2932, 859. III A. 11 After held imposing unconstitutional Branch Texas, decided (1972), Legislature narrowed scope its laws relating punishment. situations: peace officer fireman; kidnaping, burglary, robbery, rape, arson; remuneration; while escaping escape penal institution; prison inmate victim employee. Tex.Penal § 19.03 (1974). 12 In addition, procedure. Tex.Code Crim.Proc., Art. 37.071 (Supp.1975-1976). That subsequent return above murder. these: 13 "(1) caused 14 "(2) 15 "(3) deceased." 37.071(b) 16 yes, no, Arts. 37.071(c), (e) (Supp.1975-1976).5 provides expedited review Appeals. 37.071(f) 17 far only judgments sentences post-Furman Smith State, 49,809 (Feb. 18, 1976) (rehearing pending; initially reported advance sheet 534 subsequently withdrawn bound volume). state appellate noted "limits seek small group particularly brutal offenses. insures most serious crimes (and) . (it) type occur types circumstances." S.W.2d, 939. 18 While list justify Georgia ever serves much purpose. McGautha 402 183, 206 n. 16, 91 1454, 1466, 28 711 (1971); Model 201.6, Comment 3, pp. 71-72 (Tent. Draft 9, 1959). fact, classes encompassed Florida more their For example, guilt-determining stage particular felony, hire, institution time commission. Cf. 165-166, 2921 9; 248-249, 6, 2965, 6. essence, So concerned, principal difference between other available option even potentiay smaller class Otherwise statutes similar. Each 19 But allowed almost certainly fall short providing individualized determination we Woodson North Carolina, 280, 303-305, 2978, 2991-2992, 944, required approach mandatory hold 974.6 A basis why should 20 order meet Amendments, allow constitutionally valid directs factors, likewise constitutional judge advisory enumerated circumstances; questions. turns 21 question7 asks "whether yet define precisely meanings terms "criminal violence" society." however, so bring attention whatever able show: "In determining likelihood society, significant record. It range d severity prior conduct. further look age commission acting duress domination another. extreme form mental emotional pressure, something less, perhaps, than insanity, emotions average man, however inflamed, withstand." 939-940. 23 sentence, focused factors case. 1976). examined sufficiency see sustained. doing conviction narcotics charges, failure attempt rehabilitate himself obtain employment, fact acted result apparent willingness kill, lack remorse killing, psychiatrist sociopathic personality patterns future past. 24 essentially murder, considering asked it. appears that, B 25 As cases, contends substantial legislative changes no cosmetic Amendments.8 26 27 first asserts prosecutor's charge engage plea bargaining, lesser included offenses, Governor's ultimate power commute sentences. decision, set out our 199, 29 Focusing impossible predict meaningless. is, course, easy behavior. difficult, cannot made. Indeed, element many decisions rendered system. admit bail, instance, often turn judge's conduct.9 And person's engages process what impose.10 those prison, these predictions parole authorities.11 perform basically different countless times justice. What fate determine. assures adduced. IV 30 conclude procedures, like By definition least first-degree considered. authorizing hearing adduced, ensured adequate guidance enable function. prompt judicial statewide jurisdiction, provided means promote evenhanded, rational, consistent law. Because assure "wantonly" "freakishly" 310, 2762 (Stewart, concurring). Accordingly, 31 ordered. 32 BURGER, I concur (1972) dissenting). 34 whom REHNQUIST join, 35 Following invalidation re-enacted including felonies returning admissible, third evidence: 36 37 38 (Su. 1975-1976). 39 Jurek felony carried consistently 40 describes, shall repeat, facts proceedings leading gave posed post-verdict instructions. agree Appeals, judgment, here. 41 my dissent 974, major State's general, enforcement officers exercise discretion seldom, arbitrarily, freakishly suffers infirmities predecessor. Under law, defined; Petitioner claims depends possesses standardless power; Justices issues common-sense core meaning jues capable understanding them. extend juries dispense mercy, assumed disobey nullify February year, persons, statute. juncture seldom arbitrarily serve useful penological function hence within reach Members Georgia. 42 Nor, Roberts, 2948-2949, am convinced modified alleged exercisable functionaries Furthermore, noted, aims limiting similar occurring 43 affirmance. 44 BLACKMUN, 45 414 2816 "Whoever voluntarily kill Murder distinguished every species homicide absence reduce negligent excuse killing." Code, 1256 (1973). (effective Jan. 1, 1974), now 19.02(a): "A commits he: knowingly causes individual; intends cause bodily injury act dangerous attempts voluntary involuntary manslaughter, furtherance attempt, immediate flight individual." prescribed follows: "(a) Except subsection Article, confinement penitentiary term less two. "(b) malice aforethought if: murdered fireman lawful discharge official duty knew kidnapping, remuneration promise "(4) "(5) person, incarcerated institution, operation institution. "(c) conditions Subsection malice, Article offense." 1257 superseded substantially 1257. given voluntarily, were. voluntariness confessions submitted jury. admissibility statements. 943 originally started angered him criticizing brother drinking. statement refused screaming. Infra, 269. members agree; "no" agree. 37.071(d) unclear followed event unable Vernon's Codes Ann. 19.03, Practice Commentary, p. 107 When drafters proposal simply listed sufficient penalty, unsatisfactory: "Such disadvantage, according disproportionate significance enumeration rationally necessary balancing aggravations mitigations appear. object sought better attained, view, 72 1959) (emphasis original). (which text, 269); undetermined properly include situations could, comprehend inquiry. provocation might which, itself, enough force avoid claim, woman hired assassin husband driven continued cruelty her. cannot, construe statute; reserved courts. (1972). See, g., Bar Association Project Standards Justice, Pretrial Release 5.1(a) (Approved 1968): "It presumed entitled released appear own recognizance. presumption overcome risk nonappearance .. detained pending support likely crime, intimidate otherwise interfere administration flee released." Sentencing Alternatives Procedures 2.5(c): involving total preferred contrary. Examples legitimate selection are: "(i) Confinement protect activity ." reached Code: "The deal unless, having regard history, character condition defendant, protection because: undue period suspended probation crime." 7.01(1) (Proposed Official 1962). 305.9(1): "Whenever Board Parole considers release prisoner eligible parole, policy release, unless deferred conform

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