Opinion ID: 1695246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: review of the penalty phase

Text: Under La.C.Cr.P. art. 905.9, we are required to review every death sentence. Our review of the record reveals that the trial judge in this case gave to the jury the identical instruction which we deemed improper in State v. Watson, 430 So.2d 1130 (La.1982). The judge instructed the jury as follows:       [If there is no doubt in your mind that the state has established one or more of the aggravating circumstances which I have just outlined for you], then you are obliged to return a sentencing recommendation of death.       [I]f the state fails in establishing the aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury would not be authorized to even consider the penalty of death. In that event, the sentence would be life imprisonment without parole.... (emphasis supplied)