Opinion ID: 2103748
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Consideration of Mercy

Text: Based upon his reading of Woods v. State (1989), Ind., 547 N.E.2d 772, 795, reh'g granted, (1990), 557 N.E.2d 1325, cert. denied, (1991), 501 U.S. 1259, 111 S.Ct. 2911, 115 L.Ed.2d 1074, the defendant next contends that the death penalty statute does not allow the jury to consider mercy, contrary to the constitutions of both Indiana and the United States. His premise is not consistent with the language of the statute, which allows mitigating circumstances to include [a]ny other circumstances appropriate for consideration. Ind. Code § 35-50-2-9(c)(8). Instead, the defendant mischaracterizes our decision in Woods, which did not preclude the consideration of mercy but rather affirmed the trial court's refusal to give an incorrect instruction. This instruction was contrary to the death penalty statute because it authorized the jury to be governed by mere sentiment and sympathy. 547 N.E.2d at 785. The statute does not preclude consideration of mercy. The statutory language utilized is permissive, not compulsory, in stating that the jury  may recommend the death penalty upon completion of the evaluation of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Under Article 1, Section 19 of the Indiana Constitution, a jury in a criminal case shall have the right to determine the law and the facts. Thus, a jury is not bound to convict even in the face of proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Peck v. State (1990), Ind., 563 N.E.2d 554, 560. However, it is improper for a court to instruct a jury that they have a right to disregard the law. Beavers v. State (1957), 236 Ind. 549, 560-61, 141 N.E.2d 118, 124-25. Notwithstanding Article 1, Section 19 of the Indiana Constitution, a jury has no more right to ignore the law than it has to ignore the facts in a case. Id. at 559, 141 N.E.2d 118. [6]