Opinion ID: 2234065
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 45

Heading: Proportionality Review by Sentencing Panel

Text: One of the factors which the sentencing panel was required by statute to consider in determining Vela's sentence was [w]hether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, considering both the crime and the defendant. [162] Vela assigns error to the refusal of the sentencing panel to consider sentencing orders in two cases in which the defendants received life sentences, and in considering only cases in which the death sentence was imposed for purposes of proportionality review. We rejected a similar argument in State v. Galindo, [163] reaffirming our prior cases [164] holding that proportionality review by the sentencing body entails consideration only of other cases in which the death penalty has been imposed. We reach the same conclusion here.