Opinion ID: 1558618
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 35

Heading: Recommended sentence.

Text: The sentence that you recommend to the court must be based upon the facts as you find them from the evidence and the law. If, after weighing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, you determine that at least one aggravating circumstance is found to exist and that the mitigating circumstances do not outweigh the aggravating circumstances, or, in the absence of mitigating factors, that the aggravating factors alone are sufficient, you may recommend that a sentence of death be imposed rather than a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Regardless of your findings in this respect, however, you are neither compelled nor required to recommend a sentence of death. If, on the other hand, you determine that no aggravating circumstances are found to exist, or that the mitigating circumstances outweigh the aggravating circumstances, or, in the absence of mitigating factors, that the aggravating factors alone are not sufficient, you must recommend imposition of a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole rather than a sentence of death. The process of weighing aggravating and mitigating factors to determine the proper punishment is not a mechanical process. The law contemplates that different factors may be given different weight or values by different jurors. In your decision-making process, you, and you alone, are to decide what weight is to be given to a particular factor. In these proceedings it is not necessary that the advisory sentence of the jury be unanimous. The fact that the jury can determination of whether you recommend a sentence of death or sentence of life imprisonment life imprisonment or death in this case can be reached by a on a single ballot should not influence you to act hastily or without due regard to the gravity of these proceedings. Before you ballot you should carefully weigh, sift, and consider the evidence, and all of it, realizing that human life is at stake, and bring to bear your best judgment to bear in reaching your advisory sentence. If a majority of the jury, seven or more, determine that (defendant) should be sentenced to death, your advisory sentence will be: A majority of the jury by a vote of ________, to ________ advise and recommend to the court that it impose the death penalty upon (defendant). On the other hand, if by six or more votes the jury determines that (defendant) should not be sentenced to death, your advisory sentence will be: The jury advises and recommends to the court that it impose a sentence of life imprisonment upon (defendant) without possibility of parole. When you have reached an advisory sentence in conformity with these instructions, that form of recommendation should be signed by your foreperson, dated with today's date and returned to the court. There is no set time for a jury to reach a verdict. Sometimes it only takes a few minutes. Other times it takes hours or even days. It all depends upon the complexity of the case, the issues involved and the makeup of the individual jury. You should take sufficient time to fairly discuss the evidence and arrive at a well reasoned recommendation. You will now retire to consider your recommendation as to the penalty to be imposed upon the defendant. When you have reached an advisory sentence in conformity with these instructions, that form of recommendation should be signed by your foreperson and returned to the court.