Opinion ID: 3038774
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Arizona Supreme Court’s Independent Review of

Text: Capital Cases [18] As in Beam, we look both to Arizona’s statutes and its case law to determine the parameters of Arizona’s independent review of capital cases. “In capital cases, [the Arizona Supreme Court] independently examine[s] the record to determine the existence of aggravating and mitigating circumstances and the propriety of imposing the death penalty.” Comer, 799 P.2d at 348 (Ariz. 1990) (emphasis added). This independent review specifically encompasses review of the sentencing hearing and record as well as aggravating and mitigating circumstances to ensure, among other things, that 14 The State contends that the Court’s decision in Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288 (1989), bars retroactive application of Beam to Comer’s case. We have held, however, that Teague does not apply to matters of federal habeas jurisdiction, including our exhaustion analysis. Coe v. Thurman, 922 F.2d 528, 533-34 (9th Cir. 1991). COMER v. SCHRIRO 11149 “proper procedures were followed.” State v. Hill, 848 P.2d 1375, 1388 (Ariz. 1993) (citation omitted) (reviewing whether the sentencing judge had an impermissible conflict that required his recusal, as well as aggravating and mitigating circumstances); accord State v. Stuard, 863 P.2d 881, 896-97 (Ariz. 1993) (undertaking a “painstaking” examination of the record to determine if the death penalty was erroneously imposed); State v. Bible, 858 P.2d 1152, 1206 (Ariz. 1993); see also State v. Watson, 628 P.2d 943, 946 (Ariz. 1981) (noting that the Arizona Supreme Court painstakingly reviews death sentences to ensure the punishment is not inflicted in an arbitrary and capricious manner). The Arizona Supreme Court also ensures that the death penalty was not “imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factors.” State v. Richmond, 560 P.2d 41, 51 (Ariz. 1977), overruled on other grounds by State v. Salazar, 844 P.2d 566 (Ariz. 1992); accord State v. Woratzeck, 657 P.2d 865, 871 (Ariz. 1982). This independent review process includes scrutiny of federal constitutional claims. State v. Brewer, 826 P.2d 783, 790-91 (1992) (undertaking independent review because, among other matters, the Arizona Supreme Court must determine that under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments the death penalty is not being inflicted in an arbitrary and capricious fashion). As the Arizona Supreme Court noted in explaining its review, “[i]f the record reveals that the trial court, for whatever reason, improperly sentenced a defendant to death, we must overturn that sentence.” Id. at 791 (emphasis added).15 15 We have recognized the thoroughness of the Arizona Supreme Court’s independent review process in another context. See Gerlaugh v. Stewart, 129 F.3d 1027, 1045 (9th Cir. 1997) (finding that Arizona’s independent review as to the “propriety and legality of the death penalty” justifies counsel’s tactical decision to rely on that review instead of independently raising claims related to defendant’s sentencing). 11150 COMER v. SCHRIRO