Opinion ID: 2076252
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: hunt's request to bifurcate the sentencing proceeding

Text: Hunt contends that his sentencing proceeding should have been bifurcated. He argues that the jury should have first deliberated on and decided the existence of aggravating factors before he put on any evidence in support of mitigating factors. We find no support in law and little support in logic for Hunt's contention. The basis for his argument seems to be that in a sentencing proceeding the defendant must often make a choice between either attacking the nature of the crime and the State's proof of aggravating factors, or demonstrating remorse. Hunt offers no clear explanation as to why such a choice was required or how bifurcation would alleviate his dilemma. Hunt also suggests, without any citation of authority, that absent bifurcation the sentencing procedure confused the jury and was unconstitutional. The purpose of a death sentence proceeding is to `point to the main circumstances of aggravation and of mitigation that should be weighed and weighed against each other when they are presented in a concrete case.' Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 193, 96 S.Ct. 2909, 2935, 49 L.Ed.2d 859, 886 (quoting Model Penal Code § 201.6, comment 3 at 71 (Tent. Draft No. 9, 1959)) (plurality opinion), stay granted, 429 U.S. 1301, 96 S.Ct. 3235, 50 L.Ed.2d 30, order vacated, 429 U.S. 875, 97 S.Ct. 197, 50 L.Ed.2d 158 (1976). (Emphasis in original). The balancing of aggravating and mitigating factors is central to the jury's duty. It would seem that aggravating and mitigating circumstances can be best weighed against each other when the jury has the opportunity to ascertain them and weigh them at the same hearing. There is no reason to conclude that the jury was somehow misled or confused because the sentencing proceeding was not bifurcated. To support his argument for bifurcation Hunt cites Treece v. State, 313 Md. 665, 547 A.2d 1054 (1988). In Treece, this Court noted that in appropriate circumstances, where the defendant has plead not criminally responsible by reason of insanity, the guilt or innocence stage of the trial should be bifurcated from the hearing to determine whether the defendant lacked criminal responsibility. A defendant's guilt or innocence is a determination completely separate from that of criminal responsibility. The bifurcation involved in Treece is more analogous to the bifurcation Hunt received when the issue of his guilt or innocence was determined in one proceeding and his sentence in another. Treece does not require or even suggest the trifurcation that Hunt seeks.