Opinion ID: 2022193
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Constitutionality of Indiana's Death Penalty

Text: Saylor argues that Indiana's death penalty advisory jury system violates Article 1, Sections 16 and 18 of the Indiana Constitution. [8] He asserts that Indiana's death sentencing scheme is troublesome due to its highly subjective nature. He concedes that there is authority contrary to his position, yet fails to explain how this procedure constitutes disproportionate punishment or vindictive justice. This Court has consistently rejected the argument that Indiana's statutory death penalty procedures, and in particular the procedures for a non-binding jury recommendation, violate either Section 16 or Section 18 of Indiana's Constitution. Peterson, 674 N.E.2d at 541-42. We reaffirm that the advisory jury scheme does not offend these constitutional provisions. Once again acknowledging firmly established precedent to the contrary, Saylor argues that the death penalty per se violates Article 1, Section 18. This argument has been considered and rejected by this Court, both shortly after the adoption of our current Constitution and quite recently. Harrison v. State, 644 N.E.2d 1243, 1258 (Ind.1995) (citing Driskill v. State, 7 Ind. 338, 342, (1855); Rice v. State, 7 Ind. 332, 338 (1855); Fleenor v. State, 514 N.E.2d 80, 90 (Ind.1987), reh'g denied, cert. denied, 488 U.S. 872, 109 S.Ct. 189, 102 L.Ed.2d 158 (1988)), aff'd after remand, 659 N.E.2d 480 (Ind.1995), reh'g denied, cert. denied, 517 U.S. ___, 117 S.Ct. 307, 136 L.Ed.2d 224 (1996). We decline Saylor's invitation to revisit this issue today and reaffirm these holdings.