Opinion ID: 1989296
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Life Without Parole Sentencing Option

Text: Collins maintains that the trial court erred in denying counsel's motion to have life without the possibility of parole considered as a sentencing alternative. See Art. 27, § 412(b). He principally relies on the Supreme Court's decision in Beck v. Alabama, 447 U.S. 625, 642-46, 100 S.Ct. 2382, 2392-94, 65 L.Ed.2d 392, 406-08 (1980) for the proposition that an all or nothing statutory scheme is unconstitutional where the evidence warrants a lesser included offense instruction. See Hook v. State, 315 Md. 25, 553 A.2d 233 (1989). [17] We rule the life without parole sentencing option is only available for offenses occurring after the effective date of the provision, July 1, 1987. Ch. 237, Laws of 1987. The instant offense occurred prior to the effective date. Therefore, Collins' argument regarding a statutory right to the life without parole sentencing option has no merit. Here, the sentencing jury was given a proper option, either death or life imprisonment. The addition of a third alternative for life without the possibility of parole as a result of Chapter 237 of the Laws of 1987 does not render the sentencing verdict in this case any less reliable. We find no constitutional violation under the circumstances. The problem associated with the possibility of an improper compromise verdict found unconstitutional in Beck is not applicable in the present case. [18]