Opinion ID: 769328
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sentencing Phase Instructions for Mitigating Factors

Text: 28 Paul next asserts that a sentencing-phase instruction allowed only those jurors who found the existence of a mitigating factor to consider that factor, and that jurors who did not find that factor to be mitigating were precluded from considering it. The instruction states: 29 All of you must weigh any aggravating factors that you unanimously found to exist, whether statutory or non-statutory, and each of you must weigh any mitigating factors that you individually find to exist. 30 Paul argues this language precluded Juror A from considering a mitigating factor found by Juror B, if Juror A had not also found that factor mitigating. Again, Paul did not object to the above instruction and thus our review is for plain error. At most, we find the instruction was ambiguous because it did not go on to state that Juror A may consider a mitigating factor found by Juror B even if not found by Juror A. See Jones, 527 U.S. at 377 (jury may consider a mitigating factor in its weighing process so long as one juror accepts the factor by a preponderance of the evidence). However, viewed in the context of all the instructions, we find the challenged instruction does not violate either the Constitution or the FDPA. See id. at 391 (instructions that may be ambiguous in the abstract cured when read in conjunction with other instructions). 31 The jury was instructed at the penalty phase that regardless of its findings on aggravating and mitigating factors, it was never required to recommend a death sentence. Thus, even if Juror A felt somehow precluded from considering a mitigating factor found by Juror B, Juror A was also instructed that regardless of the outcome of the aggravating and mitigating balancing, there was never a requirement to recommend a death sentence. Again, because the jury is presumed to have followed all instructions, we find no error. 32