Opinion ID: 2381990
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Election of Jury Sentencing

Text: In the proceedings below, the following dialogue occurred: THE COURT: Mr. Harris, would you please stand. THE COURT: Do you wish this proceeding to be conducted by a judge sitting alone or by a jury? THE DEFENDANT: By a jury. Harris asserts that this litany was grossly insufficient [under Art. 27, § 413(b)(3)] ... because he was never informed that a court sentencing could be advantageous because only one mind, and not 12, need be convinced that mitigating factors are not outweighed by aggravating circumstances. Brief at 45. In short, Harris argues that his election of a jury sentencing (or conversely waiver of the right to a court sentencing) was not made knowingly and voluntarily. Harris's assertion of ignorance is without basis, and for that reason, we need not and do not address his argument that he could not proceed to jury sentencing absent a full explanation of the difference between court and jury sentencing. In Harris v. State, 295 Md. 329, 455 A.2d 979 (1983) ( Harris I ), Harris argued that his waiver of the right to jury sentencing was not knowing and voluntary because the trial judge gave him the mistaken impression that in order to obtain a life sentence, he needed to convince 12 jurors that the death sentence was inappropriate. We agreed and vacated the sentence. 295 Md. at 338-340 & n. 1, 455 A.2d at 984 & n. 1. In so doing we carefully explained jury sentencing procedures and, by clear implication, court sentencing procedures. Id. In view of this, Harris cannot be heard to claim ignorance, especially since before the sentencing hearing in the case before us, he actually participated in a court sentencing, as well as a jury sentencing. Moreover, the very point that Harris now asserts  that a court sentencing could be more advantageous because he would have to convince only a single mind that mitigating factors are not outweighed by aggravating factors  is incorrect. As we said in Harris I, a single juror hold-out would result in a life sentence. Id. at 339, 455 A.2d at 984. See also Mills, 310 Md. at 54-55, 527 A.2d at 13. Whether the sentencing is by court or jury, only a single mind need be convinced that a life sentence is appropriate in order to achieve that outcome.