Opinion ID: 2630721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 24

Heading: methodological challenges

Text: ś 130 Cross also challenges the methodology of our proportionality review. How to properly perform proportionality review, and upon what data, is a reoccurring, vexing problem in capital case jurisprudence across the nation. See generally State v. Loftin, 157 N.J. 253, 724 A.2d 129 (1999) (reviewing history and variations of proportionality review; suggesting sophisticated methodologies are necessary; finding expert assistance necessary); see also Timothy V. Kaufman-Osborn, Capital Punishment, Proportionality Review, and Claims of Fairness (With Lessons From Washington State), 79 WASH. L.REV. 775 (2004) (cogently criticizing current proportionality review); Bruce Gilbert, Comparative Proportionality Review: Will the Ends, Will the Means, 18 SEATTLE U.L.REV. 593, 613 (1995). Federal courts have consistently emphasized that any proportionality review must be conducted consistent with the due process clause. See Palmer v. Clarke, 293 F.Supp.2d 1011, 1040 (D.Neb.2003) (citing Kilgore v. Bowersox, 124 F.3d 985, 995 (8th Cir.1997)). With that in mind, we turn to his specific challenges. ś 131 i. Comparative Cases. Cross notes that in nearly every case where this court has found the penalty was proportional, the verdict or conviction was later vacated or overturned. See Br. of Appellant at 220-21 (listing 16 cases where a death sentence has been vacated). He argues that this dramatically skews the sample group. He notes that in In re Personal Restraint of Brett, 142 Wash.2d 868, 880-83, 16 P.3d 601 (2001), this court acknowledged that Brett's representation was so poor that the sentence might have been different, which also renders the case seriously subject to doubt. ś 132 The legislature has directed this court to review [w]hether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, considering both the crime and the defendant. RCW 10.95.130(2)(b). While this is not without doubt, we believe the legislature intended us to consider whether a death sentence is disproportional based on other sentences imposed, not other sentences executed. ś 133 We recognize that federal cases frequently speak of the administration of capital punishment, not merely the sentencing. E.g., Callins v. Collins, 510 U.S. 1141, 1155-57, 114 S.Ct. 1127, 127 L.Ed.2d 435 (1994) (Blackmun, J., dissenting). As administered, the universe of capital cases with which to compare Cross's sentence is very different. It consists of only four men; three of which effectively elected not to contest the penalty of death. However, based on the statutory language itself and absent a clear challenge to the constitutionality of the universe of comparison, we will use as a base line capital sentences rendered by juries, not capital sentences executed. ś 134 ii. Completeness of the Database. This court is directed to have a complete database of critical factors relating to death eligible crimes, whether or not the death penalty was sought. RCW 10.95.120. We recognize that our database of comparable cases has not been timely and faithfully updated by trial courts as required by the statute, and contains many omissions. Many reports were filed years late and are missing data on everything from ethnicity to the mental health of the defendant. See State v. Mason, No. 01-1-03569-6 SEA (King County Super. Ct. July 28, 2003); Chea, 98-1-03157-5; State v. Sayasack, XX-X-XXXXX-X (Pierce County Super. Ct. May 22, 1995); State v. Allison, XX-X-XXXXX-X (Pierce County Super. Ct. Apr. 10, 1995); State v. Carter, XX-X-XXXXX-X (Pierce County Super. Ct. Sept. 21, 1998); State v. Roberts XX-X-XXXXX-X (Clallam County Super. Ct. Nov. 14, 2002); Garrett, XX-X-XXXXX-X; Hacheney, XX-X-XXXXX-X. At least one trial judge expressed palatable anguish in his inability to provide this court with a completed report, based on counsel's failure to assist the judge in gathering the data. See State v. Lambert, XX-X-XXXXX-X (Grant County Super. Ct. Dec. 10, 1997). ś 135 Trial judge reports serve as the basis for the Supreme Court's proportionality review of convictions for first degree aggravated murder. Cross argues that the failure of the trial courts to provide timely and reliable reports to the Supreme Court undermines the credibility of the proportionality review. ś 136 We recognize the gravity of the charge. However, we must decide whether Cross is entitled to relief on this basis. We conclude he is not, at least absent a credible showing that these failures have caused him some injury. ś 137 The database is now overwhelmingly complete. There is an ample amount of detail we can use to compare this case with the others collected, and we have no reason to think that the omitted reports would not be consistent with the completed ones. ś 138 iii. Standards. Again, Cross charges that our proportionality review is essentially standardless. We have previously considered and rejected this argument. Brown, 132 Wash.2d at 554, 940 P.2d 546; Pirtle, 127 Wash.2d at 685-86, 904 P.2d 245; Gentry, 125 Wash.2d at 654-58, 888 P.2d 1105; Lord, 117 Wash.2d at 909-11, 822 P.2d 177; see also Benn, 120 Wash.2d at 699, 845 P.2d 289 (Utter, J., dissenting). ś 139 We recognize that a federal court has found our review to be constitutionally inadequate under Furman because it did not meaningfully police the application of the death penalty. Harris ex rel. Ramseyer v. Blodgett, 853 F.Supp. 1239, 1288-91 (W.D.Wash.1994), aff'd sub nom. Harris ex rel. Ramseyer v. Wood, 64 F.3d 1432 (9th Cir.1995). Specifically, the federal courts found that: (1) the statute does not define what cases are similar or whether the court can consider additional factors, (2) there is no notice to defendant about which cases the court will treat as similar, (3) the statute provides no alternate procedure when no similar cases are found, (4) the statute does not provide a standard for reviewing the similar cases, and (5) the sentence review has no established fact finding procedure. Harris, 853 F.Supp. at 1288-91. However, we have already considered and rejected the federal court's criticism. See Restraint of Benn, 134 Wash.2d at 925-26, 952 P.2d 116, habeas corpus granted on other grounds sub nom. Benn v. Wood, 2000 WL 1031361, 2000 LEXIS 12741 (W.D.Wash.2000), aff'd sub nom. Benn v. Lambert, 283 F.3d 1040 (9th Cir.2002). This disproportionality review is not subject to the challenges raised by Brett and those upheld in Harris v. Blodgett, supra. Using the legislative definition of `similar cases' alleviates the due process concerns expressed in Harris v. Blodgett, supra. Refocusing the review to ascertain only whether a death sentence is wanton and freakish based upon the broad range of aggravated murder cases provides a more reliable and justifiable standard of disproportionality and renders negligible the effect of slight deviations in the universe of similar cases. The function of the review is limited to providing additional assurance that a sentence is not disproportionate, rather than ensuring proportionality in the first instance. See Gregg, 428 U.S. at 206-07, 96 S.Ct. 2909. That function is inherent in the guidelines contained in RCW 10.95. In addition, this method of review does not require the parties or the court to ascertain, in essence, mathematical proportionality. There is no constitutional or statutory requirement to ensure an unattainable degree of identity among particular cases which are invariably unique. Brett, 126 Wash.2d at 212-13, 892 P.2d 29. Accordingly, we need not define similar cases with scientific precision because we have no statutory obligation to derive a narrow definition. The legislature has not instructed us otherwise. ś 140 iv. Counties. Cross also argues that the death penalty is flawed because it is imposed by only wealthy counties. However, he did not submit sufficient evidence in support of these claims for us to analyze that challenge at this time. We note that funds are available to reimburse counties prosecuting such cases if the legislature so directs. RCW 43.330.190, .200. ś 141 We hold there was sufficient evidence to support the verdict, that the verdict was proportional, and that it was not the product of passion or prejudice. [16]