Opinion ID: 1659824
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 30

Heading: The Parties' Contentions and Discussion

Text: Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-105(3) (Supp. 1993) requires this Court to consider the proportionality of Duplantis' death sentence: With regard to the sentence, the court shall determine: (a) Whether the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor; (b) Whether the evidence supports the jury's or judge's finding of a statutory aggravating circumstance as enumerated in Section 99-19-101; and (c) Whether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, considering both the crime and the defendant. Duplantis claims that his death penalty is disproportionate when compared to other capital cases reviewed by this Court because the jury found only that he had contemplated the use of lethal force while Strickland, whom Duplantis asserts received only a life sentence, struck all of the blows. The State disagrees and points out that Duplantis actively participated, according to a preconceived course of conduct, by holding and incapacitating Gary Thrash. While this issue does not warrant discussion at this time, due to the reversal on the confession issue, this Court does point out that opinions exist suggesting due consideration should be given to this area. [15]