Opinion ID: 1857482
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Claimed Conflicts.

Text: Moore first directs our attention to Neb. Rev.Stat. § 29-2519 (Reissue 1995), which, in relevant part, states that the death penalty... shall only be imposed in those instances when the aggravating circumstances existing in connection with the crime outweigh the mitigating circumstances.... Moore maintains that this provision conflicts with Neb. Rev.Stat. § 29-2522 (Reissue 1995), which states: After hearing all of the evidence and arguments in the sentencing proceeding, the judge or judges shall fix the sentence at either death or life imprisonment, but such determination shall be based upon the following considerations: (1) Whether sufficient aggravating circumstances exist to justify imposition of a sentence of death; (2) Whether sufficient mitigating circumstances exist which approach or exceed the weight given to the aggravating circumstances; or (3) Whether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate.... The specific conflict alleged by Moore is that these two statutes set out inconsistent standards for imposing the death penalty. According to Moore, under § 29-2519, the death penalty may be imposed on the mere showing that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances, whereas, under § 29-2522, the death penalty may not be imposed when the mitigating circumstances approach or exceed the weight given to the aggravating circumstances. Moore also argues that the term approach contained in § 29-2522 is vague and contends that as a result of these infirmities, the Nebraska death penalty scheme fails to properly channel the sentencer's discretion by objective standards, a circumstance which results in the arbitrary and capricious application of the death penalty in violation of the Eighth Amendment. There is no conflict between the two statutes. First of all, the language at issue in § 29-2519 is merely prefatory language indicating the Legislature's general desires with respect to this legislation. Second, when read in context, § 29-2519 makes clear that the standards articulated in Neb.Rev. Stat. §§ 29-2520 to 29-2524 (Reissue 1995) are to govern the administration of the death penalty. Of the aforementioned sections, only § 29-2522 details the standards which govern the imposition of the death penalty. There is then but one standard for imposing the death penalty, not two as postulated by Moore. Under that standard, if sufficient mitigating circumstances exist which approach or exceed the weight given to the aggravating circumstances, the death penalty cannot be imposed. State v. Simants, 197 Neb. 549, 250 N.W.2d 881 (1977), cert. denied 434 U.S. 878, 98 S.Ct. 231, 54 L.Ed.2d 158.