Opinion ID: 1738580
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: conclusion

Text: Most of the sample pattern jury instructions set forth above have aspects which arguably should be included in Florida's standard jury instructions for penalty phase proceedings in capital cases. Most notably, and, consistent with this Court's decisions in Dixon and Henyard, these pattern jury instructions explicitly inform the jury that the weighing process is not a mere numerical or mathematical calculation, but rather involves a reasoned judgment and analysis of the circumstances and ultimately a choice left to the discretion of the jury based upon all of the circumstances presented. While we have been diligent in reminding trial court judges of the qualitative process they must follow in determining an appropriate sentence in each individual case, we must not overlook the importance of such instructions for Florida juries. Although the Dixon and Henyard holdings are consistently repeated in our case law, including such guidance in the standard jury instructions would obviously aid the jury in understanding its role and responsibility during deliberations by further clarifying the weighing process. SHAW and PARIENTE, JJ., concur.