Opinion ID: 1752541
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: constitutionality of missouri's death penalty

Text: Appellant argues that Missouri's death penalty scheme is unconstitutional because this Court fails to provide adequate proportionality review, because prosecutors have discretion in seeking the death penalty, and because Missouri has no valid governmental interest in the death penalty. This Court has consistently rejected these arguments, and being presented with no reason for changing position, does so again. See State v. Wacaser, 794 S.W.2d 190, 196 (Mo. banc 1990) (proportionality); State v. McMillin, 783 S.W.2d 82, 101-02 (Mo. banc) (prosecutor discretion), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 881, 111 S.Ct. 225, 112 L.Ed.2d 179 (1990); State v. Amrine, 741 S.W.2d 665, 669 (Mo. banc 1987) (legitimate interest), cert. denied, 486 U.S. 1017, 108 S.Ct. 1756, 100 L.Ed.2d 218 (1988).