Opinion ID: 1775659
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: did the trial court err in limiting cole's argument at the sentencing phase of the trial?

Text: Although Cole did not testify in his own behalf, he did address the jury by making part of the defense's closing argument at the sentencing phase. The trial court instructed Cole not to claim innocence, since that issue had already been determined by the jury. Cole argues on appeal that this ruling prevented him from offering as a mitigating factor whimsical or residual doubt, which might have lingered in the minds of jurors even after they had found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The sentencer in a capital case may not be precluded from considering, in mitigation, any aspect of the defendant's character or record or any circumstance of the offense. Skipper v. South Carolina, 476 U.S. 1, 106 S.Ct. 1669, 90 L.Ed.2d 1 (1986); Eddings v. Oklahoma, 455 U.S. 104, 102 S.Ct. 869, 71 L.Ed.2d 1 (1982); Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 57 L.Ed.2d 873 (1978); Jackson v. State, 337 So.2d 1242 (Miss. 1976). This rule does not limit the trial court's power to exclude from the sentencing phase, as irrelevant, evidence not bearing on the defendant's character or prior record, or the circumstances of the offense. Lockett, 438 U.S. 586, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 57 L.Ed.2d 873. The United States Supreme Court, in addressing the arguments in favor of unitary juries in capital cases, stated that the defendant in a capital case might benefit at the sentencing phase of the trial from the jury's residual doubts about his guilt. The Court noted without comment that some states, though using unitary juries in capital trials, do not allow the defendant to argue residual or whimsical doubt at the sentencing phase. Lockhart v. McCree, 476 U.S. 162, 106 S.Ct. 1758, 90 L.Ed.2d 137 (1986). We need not determine whether residual or whimsical doubt is a relevant mitigating factor which the defendant in a capital case may argue to the jury at the sentencing phase of the trial. In the case at bar, defense counsel delivered his closing argument at the sentencing phase without objection or interruption. He made no effort to argue residual doubt, although he did make this statement: Finally, the Court has told you as far as mitigating circumstances that you may consider any other matter, any other aspect of the defendant's character [or] record and any other circumstance of the offense brought you during the trial of this case which you the jury deem to be mitigating on behalf of the defendant. That gives you the right to consider any phase of this trial, any evidence, anything considered as a mitigating reason for not giving him death. It was after defense counsel had completed his argument, but before Cole began his statement, that the trial court instructed Cole not to argue guilt or innocence. Cole then spoke six (6) sentences, asking in essence that the jury have mercy on him and spare his life. The record contains no indication that, but for the trial court's admonition, Cole would have argued residual doubt. Although defense counsel made his closing argument before the trial court limited Cole, defense counsel made no reference to residual doubt, nor did he challenge the trial court's instruction to Cole. This assignment of error is without merit.