Opinion ID: 407646
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Unconstitutional Limitation of Mitigating Circumstances

Text: 108 Appellant contends the trial court's instructions to the jury on aggravating and mitigating factors violated his right under Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 57 L.Ed.2d 973 (1978) to have the sentencers consider nonstatutory mitigating evidence concerning his character and the circumstances of his offense. The state asserts that appellant's failure to object to the jury instructions resulted in a waiver of such objection under Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977) and that in any event there was no Lockett violation in this case. Both the substantive Lockett issue and the waiver issue are currently before this court for en banc consideration in a case involving facts substantially similar to those presented by this case. See Ford v. Strickland, 676 F.2d 434 (11th Cir. 1982), rehearing granted (Apr. 28, 1982). Resolution of Proffitt's mitigating circumstances claim without benefit of the en banc court's decision in Ford would be premature. Because our disposition of the other issues raised by appellant entitles him to resentencing in the Florida courts, decision of the mitigating circumstances claim is unnecessary.