Opinion ID: 1880670
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: issue 14. proportionality of death sentence

Text: Boyd next asserts that his death sentence was not proportionate. To determine whether death is a proportionate penalty, we consider the totality of the circumstances of the case and compare the case with other capital cases where a death sentence was imposed. Pearce v. State, 880 So.2d 561, 577 (Fla.2004). Considering the totality of the circumstances surrounding this case, the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, and other similar cases, the death sentence imposed upon Boyd is proportional. See, e.g., Mansfield v. State, 758 So.2d 636, 647 (Fla.2000) (death sentence was proportionate where trial court found two aggravating factors, HAC and murder committed during sexual battery, measured against five nonstatutory factors that were given little weight); Davis v. State, 703 So.2d 1055, 1061-62 (Fla.1997) (death sentence was proportionate where trial court found two aggravating factors of HAC and committed during course of sexual battery outweighed slight nonstatutory mitigation); Geralds v. State, 674 So.2d 96 (Fla.1996) (death sentence was proportionate where trial court found two aggravating circumstances, HAC and murder in course of felony, and some nonstatutory mitigation).