Opinion ID: 1882598
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Unconstitutionality of Death Penalty

Text: Suggs claims that Florida's capital sentencing scheme violates due process rights and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment on its face and as applied to him. In particular, Suggs argues that Florida's death penalty statute fails to adequately channel the jury's discretion as required by United States Supreme Court precedent. See Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 96 S.Ct. 2909, 49 L.Ed.2d 859 (1976). The postconviction court summarily denied this claim without an evidentiary hearing. The court's denial of relief was proper because this claim is without merit. The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly reviewed and upheld Florida's death penalty statute. See, e.g., Hildwin v. Florida, 490 U.S. 638, 109 S.Ct. 2055, 104 L.Ed.2d 728 (1989); Spaziano v. Florida, 468 U.S. 447, 104 S.Ct. 3154, 82 L.Ed.2d 340 (1984); Barclay v. Florida, 463 U.S. 939, 103 S.Ct. 3418, 77 L.Ed.2d 1134 (1983); Proffitt v. Florida, 428 U.S. 242, 96 S.Ct. 2960, 49 L.Ed.2d 913 (1976).