Opinion ID: 2257771
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Statutorily Mandated Review of Zebroski's Death Sentence

Text: Bearing in mind that death as a punishment is unique in its severity and irrevocability, this Court must conduct a mandatory, limited review of the Superior Court's imposition of a death sentence. [25] In Wright, [26] this Court set forth the framework that governs death penalty review. Under 11 Del. C. § 4209(g)(2)b, the Court examines the evidence in the record to determine whether it supports the Superior Court's findings of statutory aggravating circumstances. The Court then addresses both determinations required by subparagraph a. of Section 4209(g)(2). [27] Under this analysis, the Court first considers whether the imposition of the death penalty was arbitrary or capricious. Second, the Court considers whether the death penalty in the present case was disproportionate to that imposed in similar cases. When undertaking these inquiries, this Court must consider as a whole the aggravating and mitigating evidence as they bear upon the circumstances of the crime and the character of the defendant. [28]