Opinion ID: 2539046
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jury's Failure to Find Mitigating Circumstances Existed

Text: Miller contends that the jury erroneously completed the sentencing forms because it did not find that his diminished mental capacity, special education classes, and low intelligence existed as a mitigating factor. We conclude that our review is required under Rule 10(b)(ii) and Wicks, 270 Ark. 781, 606 S.W.2d 366, as this is an issue involving a matter essential to the jury's consideration of the death penalty. See Anderson, 357 Ark. 180, 163 S.W.3d 333 (concluding that the erroneous completion of sentencing forms in a death case involves a matter essential to the consideration of the death penalty). Accordingly, we address this issue to the limited extent that it is likely to arise on resentencing. Because we reverse and remand the death sentences on other grounds and remand for resentencing, and because there is the possibility that during that resentencing Miller may again present evidence on his claim of diminished mental capacity and low intelligence to a new jury, we need not address in detail whether the jury in the present appeal erred in rejecting Miller's claim of mental retardation. We do note, however, that [a] jury is not required to find a mitigating circumstance just because the defendant puts before the jury some evidence that could serve as the basis for finding the mitigating circumstance. Williams v. State, 369 Ark. 104, 115, 251 S.W.3d 290, 298 (2007) (quoting Bowen, 322 Ark. at 497, 911 S.W.2d at 561). We also note further that Miller's reliance on Giles v. State, 261 Ark. 413, 549 S.W.2d 479 (1977), overruled on other grounds by Grillot v. State, 353 Ark. 294, 107 S.W.3d 136 (2003), is misplaced. In Giles, this court reversed a death sentence because there was undisputed evidence of mental disease or defect and the jury found no mitigating circumstances. In the present case, however, despite Miller's assertion to the contrary, the evidence of Appellant's diminished mental capacity and intelligence was disputed by the experts. This court has previously held that the jury alone determines what weight to give the evidence, and may reject it or accept all or any part of it the jurors believe to be true. Williams, 369 Ark. 104, 251 S.W.3d 290. Given this broad authority in the jury for determining whether mitigating circumstances exist, and given the conflicting evidence as to diminished capacity and low intelligence that was presented in this case, we cannot say that the jury erred here by failing to conclude that a mitigating circumstance existed.