Opinion ID: 4556341
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Verdict Forms (Caldwell Claim)

Text: {¶ 133} Kirkland’s final argument under this proposition of law relates to his request to amend the verdict forms. The verdict forms for each capital count contained the language: “We therefore unanimously find that the sentence of death should be imposed upon Anthony Kirkland.” (Emphasis added.) Kirkland asked that “should” be changed to “shall” because “should” implied that a jury verdict in favor of death was a recommendation, which Kirkland claimed would unconstitutionally diminish the jury’s sense of responsibility for the death verdict. See generally Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 86 L.Ed.2d 231 (1985). {¶ 134} Caldwell, however, does not preclude accurately informing the jury that its verdict recommending death is a recommendation. See, e.g., Maxwell, 139 Ohio St.3d 12, 2014-Ohio-1019, 9 N.E.3d 930, at ¶ 88. Kirkland was not entitled to have the verdict forms changed to reflect his erroneous reading of Caldwell. Kirkland’s eighth proposition of law is overruled.