Opinion ID: 1700069
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: the sentence phase

Text: Numerous errors assigned during the sentence phase of this trial may be summarized as follows: X. The prosecutor's error in (1) his comment on the number of automatic appeals that the defendant would receive, (2) on the defendant's failure to testify, and (3) the questioning of Dr. Guild about parole provisions;

We have considered all assigned errors, and conclude that the sentence phase must be reversed and remanded for a new trial. Our discussion here will be limited to those assigned errors necessary to reach this conclusion, and our decision is based upon Mississippi jurisprudence. Also, the constitutionality of our death penalty statute has been addressed in our prior cases. Bullock v. State, 391 So.2d 601 (Miss. 1981). See also, Gray v. Lucas, 677 F.2d 1086, (5th Cir.1982). As we move to a consideration of the sentencing phase, three premises need to be made clear. First, the sentencing phase is a separate trial. Even though the proceedings at the guilt phase be error free, we start anew at the sentencing phase. If we find error there, we reverse on that phase only. Cf. Gardner v. Florida, 430 U.S. 349, 358, 97 S.Ct. 1197, 1204, 51 L.Ed.2d 393, 402 (1977) Presnell v. Georgia, 439 U.S. 14, 16, 99 S.Ct. 235, 236, 58 L.Ed.2d 207, 211 (1978); Voyles v. Watkins, 489 F. Supp. 901, 912 (N.D.Miss. 1980); and Jones v. Thigpen, 555 F. Supp. 870, 878-879 (S.D.Miss. 1983). Second, this Court has an established practice in capital cases of considering trial errors for their cumulative impact. In setting aside a guilty verdict and sentence of death in a murder case, Russell v. State, 185 Miss. 464, 189 So. 90 (1939), holds: It is true that no one of these errors, when considered separately and apart from the others, is sufficient to justify a reversal of the case, but when they are considered as a whole it is our view that they resulted in the appellant being denied a fair trial ... [185 Miss. at 469, 189 So. at 91]. This practice of considering errors for their aggregate effect on the fairness of the proceedings below has recently been followed by the Court in a non-capital case. Collins v. State, 408 So.2d 1376, 1380 (Miss. 1982). Third, we have in death penalty cases the prerogative of relaxing our contemporaneous objection and plain error rules when the interests of justice so require. Culberson v. State, 379 So.2d 499, 506 (Miss. 1980) (Rule 42 waived with reluctance and only because this is a capital case.); Bell v. State, 360 So.2d 1206, 1215, 1217-1218 (Miss. 1978). All three of these premises are ultimately rooted in our awareness of the uniqueness and finality of the death penalty. Because the penalty is different in quality and severity, so is the nature of our review responsibility. We stated in Irving v. State, 361 So.2d 1360, 1363 (Miss. 1978): We recognize that thoroughness and intensity of review are heightened in cases where the death penalty has been imposed. (Citation omitted) What may be harmless error in a case with less at stake becomes reversible error when the penalty is death. .. . See also, Laney v. State, 421 So.2d 1216, 1217 (Miss. 1982) Gipson v. State, 203 Miss. 434, 437, 35 So.2d 327, 328 (1948).
Williams contends that reversible error occurred when, during closing argument, the prosecution commented on the eight automatic stages of appeal that the appellant Williams would have the opportunity to pursue. There was no contemporaneous objection to the prosecutor's closing argument at the time the remark was made during the trial in June, 1982. Williams now assigns this remark as error based upon our opinion in Howell v. State, 411 So.2d 772 (Miss. 1982), decided March 24, 1982, which announced the rule that reversible error was committed where a prosecutor injected into closing argument the idea that any error of the jury would be corrected on appeal, and where the jury was not informed that they were the only factfinders, not the appellate court. We have long held that unwarranted and improper remarks of a district attorney would warrant reversal where there was a most extreme and intolerable abuse of his privilege, even without defendant attorney's objection. Cartwright v. State, 71 Miss. 82, 14 So. 526 (1893), Powers v. State, 83 Miss. 691, 36 So. 6 (1904), Regan v. State, 81 Miss. 422, 39 So. 1002 (1906), Bufkin v. State, 134 Miss. 116, 98 So. 455 (1924). Even though Williams failed to contemporaneously object at trial, he assigned this error on appeal, and we consider it in the context of the three premises just stated. Our recent decision in Hill v. State, 432 So.2d 427 (Miss. 1983) addressed the problem of closing arguments which attempt to lighten the burden on a jury in deciding a life or death issue. The opinion states: The argument made by the prosecuting attorney to the jury that their verdict was not the last word was clearly erroneous and would ordinarily be considered highly prejudicial ... in a death penalty case a jury should never be given false comfort that any decision they make will, or can be, corrected. [432 So.2d at 439]. Our powers of appellate review in death penalty cases has been severely limited both as a matter of law and in actual practice. As a matter of law, we are in essentially the same posture as on any other occasion when we are called upon to review a jury's verdict. If the verdict is supported by substantial evidence, we leave it alone. For example, section 99-19-105(3)(a) mandates that we review any death sentence to determine whether it has been imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor. This is the same test we apply in any criminal case in determining whether we should order a new trial on the grounds that the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. See, e.g., Quarles v. State, 199 So.2d 58, 61 (Miss. 1967); Pearson v. State, 428 So.2d 1361, 1364 (Miss. 1983). It is rare that we invoke this power to order a new trial. Section 99-19-105(3)(b) requires us to review any death sentence to determine whether there is evidence in support of the jury's finding of a statutory aggravating circumstance. This is nothing more than the familiar test we apply when a defendant argues here that the trial judge should have entered a judgment of acquittal notwithstanding the verdict of the jury. See, for example, Gandy v. State, 438 So.2d 279, 284-285 (Miss. 1983). Our power to interfere with the jury's verdict here is even more restricted than under the new trial test of section 99-19-105(3)(a). See Mister v. State, 190 So.2d 869, 871 (Miss. 1966). Finally, we are required to perform what has come to be known as proportionality review to determine: [W]hether the sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, considering both the crime and the defendant. [Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 99-19-105(3)(c)] Our experience in the review of death sentences under this section makes it clear that reversal will be extremely rare. Out of twenty-five death penalty cases decided here since the proportionality review statute has been in place, only two have resulted in the sentence being vacated on this ground. Coleman v. State, 378 So.2d 640 (Miss. 1979); and Edwards v. State . Therefore, we emphasize that the jury's verdict at the sentencing phase is the single most important stage of the process of determining whether the defendant will live or die. The appellate court's role is secondary and subordinate, and our power to review is severely limited as a matter of law. In this context we consider the State's suggestion that we delineate what is proper argument on the subject of appellate review. We have the constitutional power to choose from several alternatives. We may allow argument to be made on this subject, so long as what is said is accurate and correct. California v. Ramos, ___ U.S. ___, 103 S.Ct. 3446, 77 L.Ed.2d 1171 (1983), or we have the power to prescribe a model jury instruction covering this subject if we thought it appropriate to do so. See Newell v. State, 308 So.2d 71, 78 (Miss. 1975), but, it is our considered judgment that we should exercise this power by proscribing such argument altogether. The structure of the capital sentencing system enacted by our Legislature places the entire sentencing burden on the jury. No judge or other official within our system has the power to impose the sentence of death; only the jury. Therefore, if under our system the capital sentencing jurors are allowed to consider or speculate that any death verdict they may return may later be vacated on appellate review can only have the effect of lessening the sense of responsibility our law has devolved upon them. Sentencing a citizen to death is the responsibility vested by law in our juries. Any matter presented to such jurors which would allow them to shift their awesome responsibility to others is simply contrary to our law. That we have limited powers of appellate review in no way changes the fact that the primary and ultimate sentencing power is vested alone in the jury. We hold, therefore, that no argument may be made to the jury regarding appellate review or any other matter which might reasonably be expected to cause a juror to consider that he or she shares with anyone other than his or her eleven fellow jurors the responsibility of determining whether the defendant will be sentenced to death. We have held this reversible error in a non-capital case, Howell v. State, supra . It follows, under the premises outlined at the beginning of our consideration of the sentencing phase, that such is surely error in a death penalty case. A related point need also be made clear. The defendant does not invite comment on appellate review by reminding the jury that it is the legally constituted authority for deciding whether the defendant will live or die. Within the structure of our capital sentencing system, the jury does in fact and in law decide whether the defendant lives or dies. Both prosecutors and defense counsel in final argument to the jury at the sentencing phase should focus on the decision the jury is charged by law with making  whether the defendant will live or die. Hill v. State, 432 So.2d 427 (Miss. 1983) is in no way contrary to what we say here. Our reversal here is based upon the cumulative effect of three points mentioned here, not solely upon the appellate review argument. And, even though Hill held under the facts of that case that this point was procedurally barred, Hill also made clear: (a) that the rule of Howell v. State, 411 So.2d 772 (Miss. 1982) applies to arguments at the sentencing phase of capital murder trials, 432 So.2d at 439, and (b) that any prosecutor making this sort of argument is asking for a mistrial, 432 So.2d at 439. Caldwell v. State, 443 So.2d 806 (Miss. 1983), is distinguishable in the following respects: (a) the appellate review point was the only error at sentencing, where here it is combined with two others; (b) the point was not assigned as error on appeal, while here it was; (c) in any event, it is not appropriate for a four-four decision as in Caldwell to establish precedent in the law on an important issue in capital murder litigation.
Another assignment concerns the prosecution's cross-examination of a psychiatrist about parole and probation provisions. During the direct examination, Dr. Donald Guild made the following response to an inquiry concerning Williams' changing accounts of the murder incidents: A. [By Dr. Guild] Well, if you were charged with a crime that might wind up in the death penalty or in thirty years in prison, I would say that a lot of people had the tendency to lie. In fact, it would be more the rule than the exception, at least from my experience. [Emphasis added]. Subsequently, the prosecution expanded on Guild's unelicited comment during cross-examination in the following manner: Q. [By prosecutor] And what you said that he's facing either death or thirty years. Where do you come up with thirty years? [Emphasis added]. A. [By Dr. Guild] Well, it's been my understanding that a life sentence is usually thirty years, which would be the alternative to the death penalty. Q. I see. And thirty years is what he would have to serve? A. (Pause) Q. Is that your understanding? A. Well, I don't know. The Department of Corrections has so many different programs now. I think the last time I saw anything from them, there was a list of about eight options. Supervised probation, shock probation, earned release, parole, probation and there was a whole lot of ways that you can get out of the penitentiary besides escape or serving your sentence. So, really, a life sentence could go anything from zero to thirty years, I guess, but, as I remember it, thirty years is the top. Q. So, you were saying, then, that he's facing at most with a life sentence thirty years or the death penalty. Is that right? A. That's my understanding. Q. And that's if he doesn't get parole, probation and all the other options  We reject the state's argument that the defense invited this line of cross-examination. The significance of the term thirty years was not evident to the jury until the prosecutor made it quite clear. The expansion of the witness's response was totally unnecessary by the prosecutor, and it constituted error. Martin v. State, 415 So.2d 706 (Miss. 1982); Hartfield v. State, 186 Miss. 75, 189 So. 530 (1939); Abney v. State, 123 Miss. 546, 86 So. 341 (1920); Minor v. State, 101 Miss. 107, 57 So. 548 (1912). A jury should have no concern with the quantum of punishment because it subverts a proper determination of the sentencing issue. Reference to the possibility of parole should the defendant not be sentenced to die are wholly out of place at the sentencing phase of a capital murder trial for two additional reasons. First, such references inevitably have the effect of inviting the jury to second guess the Legislature. The Legislature has declared that persons sentenced to life imprisonment may under certain circumstances become eligible for parole. Mississippi Code Annotated section 47-7-3(1) (Supp. 1982). It is no more proper for the jury to concern itself with the wisdom of that legislative determination than it is for the jury to consider the Legislature's judgment that death in the gas chamber be an authorized punishment for capital murder. Johnson v. State, 416 So.2d 383, 392 (Miss. 1982). Second, parole is not automatic. No person sentenced to life imprisonment has any right to parole. Greenholtz v. Inmates of Nebraska Penal and Correctional Complex, 442 U.S. 1, 11, 99 S.Ct. 2100, 2105, 60 L.Ed.2d 668, 677 (1979); Davis v. State, 429 So.2d 262, 263 (Miss. 1983). Allowing argument or testimony regarding the possibility of the defendant some day being paroled is in effect inviting the jury to speculate how ten years in the future the parole board may exercise its legislatively granted discretionary authority. This would introduce into the sentencing proceedings an arbitrary factor proscribed by section 99-19-105(3)(a). A third matter that concerns us is whether the prosecution improperly commented on Williams' failure to offer sworn testimony subject to cross-examination. See Mississippi Code Annotated section 13-1-9 (1972) (failure of accused to testify shall not operate to his prejudice or be commented on by counsel); Griffin v. California, 380 U.S. 609, 85 S.Ct. 1229, 14 L.Ed.2d 106 (1965). A review of the record is in order here. During the guilt/innocence phase, two written statements signed by Williams were introduced by Officers Barfield and Jordan, that asserted Williams' killing was in self-defense. Officer Barfield orally testified also as to Williams' claim of self-defense as justification for the killing. The defendant did not testify in the guilt/innocence phase of the trial, but asked and was permitted to make an unsworn opening statement to the jury during the sentencing phase with proper court admonitions. His remark to which objection was made by the state was: Have you ever had a gun pointed at you that misfired? Then, in closing argument, the prosecution commented to the jury, in unfavorable terms, about the appellant's failure to give his version of the facts while under oath and subject to cross-examination. The record of the guilt phase does reflect Williams' claim of self-defense. It does reflect that Ainsworth had a gun, but there is no support in the guilt phase record for his comment that Ainsworth pointed a gun at him which misfired. In Jones v. State, 381 So.2d 983 (Miss. 1980), this Court considered the possibility of a waiver of immunity from self-incrimination by a defendant who gives an unsworn statement on points which are not introduced into the record. Jones, a defendant in a capital murder trial, attempted to interject during an unsworn statement that there were four, rather than three, persons involved with the crime. That was considered to be a material point without foundation in the record. Accordingly, the prosecution was permitted to comment to the jury that the defendant's statements were not given under oath and that he was not subject to cross-examination about them. Id. at 993. This is one of those close questions which calls to mind our long-standing policy that in capital cases we resolve doubtful legal questions in favor of the accused. Gambrell v. State, 92 Miss. 728, 736, 46 So. 138 (1908). It is particularly appropriate that we adhere to this policy in cases where doing so will only result in remand for a new sentencing phase hearing where the state will be free once again to seek the death penalty. It is not necessary to hold that the instant error standing alone constitutes reversible error. Rather, we hold that on the record before us there is the substantial possibility that the sentence of death was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice and other arbitrary factors. Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-19-105(3)(a) (Supp. 1982). This influence we find in a combined consideration of the three errors of: (a) appellate review (b) possibility of parole, and (c) comment on Williams' failure to testify. As in Russell v. State, 185 Miss. 464, 189 So. 90 (1939), it may be true that none of these errors considered above would require reversal, but when they are considered as a whole for their aggregate effect, it becomes clear that Williams was denied a fair sentencing hearing. 185 Miss. at 469, 189 So. at 91.
Appellant Williams assigns other errors regarding the sentencing phase of his trial. Because these matters may well recur at the new sentencing trial we here order, we comment upon them briefly. The appellant also contends that the jury should have been permitted to consider the defendant's diminished capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law... . Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-19-101(6)(f) (Supp. 1982). There was absolutely no expert testimony which suggested that Williams was mentally retarded or that he was suffering from a mental disorder, disease or defect. Instructions should be given only if they are applicable to the facts developed in the case. Norman v. State, 385 So.2d 1298 (Miss. 1980); Mallette v. State, 349 So.2d 546 (Miss. 1977). The instruction would not have been responsive to the evidence introduced at trial and it was properly refused.
At the sentencing phase, the trial court excluded expert testimony which would have contrasted Walter Williams' psychological profile with that of other convicted murderers. The offer of proof consisted of testimony from a psychiatrist and a psychologist to the effect that most killers are cold-blooded with no feelings for remorse or guilt. But, in the opinion of those experts, Walter Williams was a different kind of individual because he was not a cold-blooded killer and because he did have feelings of guilt and remorse for his act of killing Ainsworth. In Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 57 L.Ed.2d 973 (1978), and in Eddings v. Oklahoma, 455 U.S. 104, 102 S.Ct. 869, 71 L.Ed.2d 1 (1982), the United States Supreme Court ruled that the sentencer in capital murder cases may not be precluded from considering as a mitigating factor, any aspect of a defendant's character or record which might lessen the punishment. However, the Lockett decision does place certain limits on the kinds of character evidence which may be admitted in mitigation of a capital murder sentence. Nothing in the Court's opinion limits the traditional authority of a court to exclude, as irrelevant, evidence not bearing on the defendant's character, prior record, or the circumstances of his offense. 438 U.S. at 604, n. 12, 98 S.Ct. at 2965, n. 12. A capital defendant is certainly entitled at sentencing to offer psychiatric and psychological expert testimony regarding himself. A fair reading of the Lockett and Eddings opinions fails to substantiate the appellant's contention that those decisions stand for the proposition that a capital murder defendant may introduce evidence concerning the character of other convicted capital murder defendants. Moreover, we believe that an extension of the realm of evidence admissible in such cases to that sought by the appellant would be nothing more than wasteful, time-consuming, irrelevant and immaterial. The testimony in question was properly excluded from consideration by the jury.
During the sentencing phase, the jury was instructed that it could consider three aggravating circumstances: (1) Whether the crime was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel; (2) Whether the crime was committed for pecuniary gain; and (3) Whether the crime was committed during the commission of a robbery. The appellant now contends that the instruction constituted reversible error because it failed to direct the jury that it could consider only those three aggravating circumstances. In other words, the appellant contends that the instruction was misleading and could have led the jury to consider other factors. In our opinion, the issue raised is totally devoid of merit. Foremost in our minds is the simple fact that the jury identified as an aggravating circumstance only the heinous, atrocious or cruel nature of the crime. The jury clearly did not identify any other aggravating circumstances. Moreover, the instruction told the jury which aggravating circumstances they could consider and it did not state that the jury was permitted to consider other factors unnamed in the instruction. The issue simply lacks merit. GUILT PHASE, Affirmed. All Justices Concur. SENTENCE PHASE, Reversed and Remanded For New Sentence Phase Trial. PATTERSON, C.J., and HAWKINS, DAN M. LEE, PRATHER and ROBERTSON, JJ., concur. WALKER and BROOM, P.JJ., and ROY NOBLE LEE and BOWLING, JJ., dissent.