Opinion ID: 2070962
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Capital Sentencing Phases Eligibility and Selection

Text: These are two phases in Delaware's capital sentencing process. Cf. Buchanan v. Angelone, 522 U.S. ___, 118 S.Ct. 757, 139 L.Ed.2d 702 (1998). The eligibility phase narrows the class of death-penalty-eligible defendants by requiring the State to prove the existence of at least one statutorily defined aggravating circumstance. See id. In the eligibility phase, the jury recommends an answer to the following question: Whether the evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of at least 1 aggravating circumstance as enumerated in subsection (e) of this section.... 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)a.1. If the State discharges that burden, the selection phase follows and a determination is made whether to impose a sentence of life or death on the death-penalty eligible defendant. Buchanan v. Angelone, 522 U.S. ___, 118 S.Ct. 757, 139 L.Ed.2d 702 (1998). In the selection phase, the jury recommends an answer to the following question: Whether, by a preponderance of the evidence, after weighing all relevant evidence in aggravation or mitigation which bear upon the particular circumstances or details of the commission of the offense and the character and propensities of the offender, the aggravating circumstances found to exist outweigh the mitigating circumstances found to exist. 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)a.2. During the eligibility phase in Manley's case, the jurors answered the statutory question in the affirmative by a unanimous vote, with regard to the existence of four separate aggravating statutory circumstances. During the selection phase, the jury answered the second statutory question with seven affirmative votes and five negative votes.