Opinion ID: 2341882
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Maryland Death Penalty Statute

Text: The penalty for first degree murder in Maryland is death, imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole. § 412(b). The sentence shall be imprisonment for life unless a sentence of death is imposed in accordance with § 413. Id. The statute mandates that the jury first consider and find, beyond a reasonable doubt, whether any alleged aggravating circumstances exist. § 413(d) & (f). The jury must then consider and find, by a preponderance of the evidence, whether one or more mitigating circumstances exist. § 413(g). Finally, the jury must determine, by a preponderance of the evidence, whether the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances. [3] § 413(h)(1). If the jury finds that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances, the sentence shall be death. § 413(h)(2). The trial court is then instructed to impose a sentence as decided by the jury. § 414(k)(1). After sentence is imposed, Maryland Rule 4-343(k) requires the trial judge to promptly prepare, send to the parties, and file with the Clerk of the Court of Appeals a report in the form prescribed by the Rule, including a recommendation of the trial court as to whether imposition of a death sentence is justified. The statute requires the Court of Appeals to review the imposition of the death penalty and, inter alia, to determine [w]hether the evidence supports the jury's or court's finding that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances. § 414(e)(3) (emphasis added).