Opinion ID: 481655
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Jury Instruction on Mercy

Text: 18 Petitioner argues that the trial court erred in refusing to allow an instruction on the issue of mercy. 3 The proffered instruction was unnecessary, however, because of the two related instructions given by the trial court. The court told the jury that: 19 Even if you find the existence of one, two, or three or more aggravating circumstances, you still can conclude that the circumstances are insufficient to warrant death, and you may impose a sentence of life imprisonment. 20 The trial judge also instructed the jury that: 21 You are not required to find any mitigating circumstance in order to make a recommendation of mercy that is binding on the trial court.... 22 These two instructions satisfied the court's requirement to clearly inform the jury of its option to return a verdict of life imprisonment. Chenault v. Stynchombe, 581 F.2d 444, 448 (5th Cir.1978).