Opinion ID: 1525226
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Prosecutor's Argument at Sentencing Proceeding

Text: There is one other matter involving the sentencing proceeding that is deserving of comment. During closing argument, the prosecutor anticipated that Appellant's counsel would argue, as a mitigating circumstance, that Appellant's actions at the time of the murder had been influenced by David Reinhardt. The prosecutor was permitted to argue, over objection, that because the Legislature had established a particular mitigating circumstance for a defendant who had acted under the substantial duress, domination or provocation of another person the jury ought not to find as a mitigating circumstance any influence by another person that did not measure up to the statutory standard. What is difficult to determine from the transcript, is whether the prosecutor presented this argument as a matter of logic, or was arguing as a matter of law that the Legislature having spoken on the subject had thereby eliminated the possiblity of any lesser influence being considered in mitigation. We think it more likely that the argument was based upon logic, and when considered in context with the court's instructions concerning mitigating circumstances, there was not error. We disagree, however, with the State's alternative argument that the statute set the benchmark for mitigating circumstances based upon the influence of another, below which the jury could not go. We emphasize that the enumerated mitigating circumstances in our statute do not establish limitations, and the defendant is free to argue, and each juror is free to find and consider, any other relevant mitigating circumstance. CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED. DEATH SENTENCE VACATED. CASE REMANDED FOR A NEW SENTENCING PROCEEDING UNDER § 414 OF ARTICLE 27. COSTS TO HBE PAID ONE-HALF BY BALTIMORE COUNTY AND ONE-HALF BY APPELLANT.