Document: 507 U.S. 272 113 S.Ct. 1222 122 L.Ed.2d 620 Paul DELO, Superintendent, Potosi Correctional Center, Petitioner,v.Frederick LASHLEY. No. 92-409. March 8, 1993. Rehearing Denied April 26, See , 1962. PER CURIAM.* 1 * Respondent Frederick Lashley brutally beat and stabbed to death his 55-year-old, physically impaired cousin foster mother, Janie Tracy, in the course of robbing her. An adult eyes Missouri law at age 17, was convicted capital murder, Mo.Rev.Stat. § 565.001 (1978) (repealed Oct. 1, 1984), sentenced death. At a conference preceding penalty phase trial, one Lashley's attorneys asked judge instruct jury on mitigating circumstance that "[t]he defendant ha[d] no significant history prior criminal activity," 565.012.3(1) (current version 565.032.3(1) (Supp.1991)). App. Pet. for Cert. A-86 A-87. Defense counsel sought this instruction even though she repeatedly asserted would not try show lacked past. Id., A-84, A-86. same time, moved an order prohibiting State from cross-examining defense witnesses as juvenile record. A-83, A-84. Such questioning may have been permissible under law. 211.271 (1986). In any event, did expressly rule latter motion. v. Armontrout, 957 F.2d 1495, 1501, n. (1992) ("[T]he trial court called upon respect admissibility defendant's record"). The indicate, however, be entitled requested without supporting evidence. 2 Perhaps chose make necessary proffer because they feared prosecutor permitted respond with evidence had engaged activity juvenile. One so testified state collateral proceeding. Tr. 29 (Apr. 10, 1985). Or perhaps avoid opening door committed other crimes adult. As Supreme Court observed, record indicates that, following arrest, confessed committing several after attaining status. Lashley, 667 S.W.2d 712, 716 (Mo.), cert. denied, 469 873, 105 229, 83 158 (1984); see also 677 S.W.2d, 717 (Blackmar, J., concurring part dissenting part). 3 Whatever their reasons, lawyers presented proof he history. Nor submit support circumstance. refused give "no activity" instruction. affirmed. It reasoned requires instructions supported by some evidence, see, e.g., Battle, 661 487, 492 (Mo.1983), 466 993, 104 2375, 80 847 Williams, 652 102, 114 none offered here. supra, 715-716. 4 filed petition writ habeas corpus United States District Eastern Missouri. He alleged judge's failure violated due process. dismissed claim. 87-897C(2) (ED Mo., June 9, 1988). A divided panel Appeals Eighth Circuit, granted relief. 1495 (1992). thought ruling Amendment Lockett Ohio, 438 586, 98 2954, 57 973 (1978). majority's view, "Lockett State—which is peculiarly advantageous position history, if indeed has such history—to come forward or else must tell it consider circumstance." F.2d, 1502. held "the lack whatever [him] instruction." Ibid. 5 Judge Fagg explained dissent, id., 1502-1504, majority plainly misread our precedents. We sentencer allowed mitigation "any aspect character circumstances offense proffers basis sentence less than death." Lockett, U.S., 604, S.Ct., 2965 (plurality opinion) (emphasis added). Accord, Penry Lynaugh, 302, 317, 109 2934, 2946, 106 256 (1989); Eddings Oklahoma, 455 104, 110, 102 869, 874, 71 (1982); Penry, 327, 2951 ("[S]o long class murderers subject punishment narrowed, there constitutional infirmity procedure allows recommend mercy based introduced " added)). But we never suggested Constitution absence 6 On contrary, said comply process courts need cases only warrants. Hopper Evans, 456 605, 611, 2049, 2053, 72 367 (1982). And, answering question reserved recently made clear require 'to bear risk nonpersuasion existence circumstances.' Walton Arizona, 497 639, 650, 110 3047, 3055, 111 511 (1990) (quoting 609, 16, 2967 16); 669-673, 3065-3068 (Scalia, judgment) (rejecting ). rejected challenge statute imposed defendants burden establishing preponderance evidence—a higher evidentiary standard, note, adopted. Discerning "constitutional imperative . [sentencer] claimed unless negated them," concluded "[s]o State's method allocating burdens does lessen prove aggravating circumstances, rights are placing him proving sufficiently substantial call leniency," ibid. 7 Even Walton, lower arguments similar Lashley's. For example, Fullwood, 323 N.C. 371, 373 S.E.2d 518 (1988), vacated remanded grounds, 494 1022, 1464, 108 602 (1990), err refusing where neither nor it. N.C., 394, S.E.2d, 532; Hutchins Garrison, 724 1425, 1436-1437 (CA4 1983) (where request it, error resulting only), 464 1065, 750, 79 207 (1984). DeLuna 890 720 (CA5 1989), Fifth Circuit "tactical decision" introduce "opened introduction record." 722. May Collins, 904 228, 232 1990), 498 1055, 770, 112 789 (1991). 8 short, until Appeals' decision case, appears consistently applied principles established its progeny. Today explicit implication precedents: Nothing obligates when them. Because heard concerning 9 persuaded assertion uniquely situated whether initial matter, demand exists; acknowledged federal could put history; indeed, contended were constitutionally ineffective failing do so. A-71. There reason suppose, dissent suggests, post, required testify receive Before court, prosecution submitted testimony acquaintances suffice. A-83. these facts, cannot say unfairly negative. 10 convinced general rule, better positioned adduce defendants' own While ready access records within jurisdiction, true jurisdictions, over period many years. And presentence report created available both government defense. unable offer insignificant. Moreover, statutory refers arrests convictions, but more broadly "criminal activity." To extent includes conduct resulted formal charges, able proffer. II 11 contends case about requirements all, "presumption innocence." Post, 1227. raises "novel," ibid.; apparently raised either Appeals, Court. dissent's argument compel different result. sure, presumption innocence, although articulated Constitution, basic component fair system justice." Estelle 425 501, 503, 96 1691, 1692, 48 126 (1976). operates guilt remind every element beyond reasonable doubt. Taylor Kentucky, 436 478, 484, 12, 1930, 1934, 56 468 phase, automatically presumed innocent charged offense. Kentucky Whorton, 441 786, 789, 99 2088, 2090, 60 640 (1979) (per curiam). when, light totality 'genuine danger' will convict something lawful proved Taylor, 488, 1936). 12 Once fairly innocence disappears. Herrera 506 ----, 853, 860, 203 (1993); 883 (Blackmun, dissenting). considered previously attaches sentencing phase. assuming attach, innocence" Under precedents, genuine conclude, factors crimes. See, 788-789, 2089. contend existed case. acknowledges, 1227, before completely silent offenses. specifically instructed "beyond doubt." Instructions Nos. 20-21, Record 77, (Jan. 29, 1982). disturbed first offender. 13 "circumstances" which relies, 1228-1229, bearing jurors' perceptions. irrelevant might conclude improperly repeat assigns special weight fact decided fear note admitted record, objected preserved issue appeal. impact counsel's deprive possible Without testimony, still Thus, arguendo attach sentencing, Whorton 14 motion leave proceed forma pauperis certiorari granted. judgment reversed. 15 ordered. 16 Justice STEVENS, whom BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 17 Thirty days 17th birthday, respondent entered cousin's home, murdered her, stole $15.00. promptly arrested series confessions police. portion those referred crimes, into Although seems probable "other" connection comment respondent's pretrial them involved victim's house "a week two beforehand".1 tells us nothing manner specific statement elicited, seriousness incident, dates incidents occurred, description accurate. Yet vague reference now explain Court's willingness reinstate hearing merits novel important presents. That (uncontradicted way prosecution) supports factor against imposition penalty. acknowledges testimonial instruction, ante, 1225; fails recognize well. 18 arises relied imposing contains except serious felony sentenced. Speculation appellate judges, 1223, matter authority mentioned Court, substitute admissible adversary proceeding.2 impermissible; prohibits use proceedings.3 Accordingly, comes us, led entirely blameless life 19 Missouri's provides militating penalty.4 Missouri, therefore—as factor—the should activity. 20 legal summary disposition normally relate application ordinary trial. my opinion, equally inapplicable requests explaining 21 settled almost century uncontradicted, adequate affirmative 1895 reversible error, "this instrument favor accused, whereby sufficient overcome created." Coffin States, 156 432, 459, 405, 39 L.Ed. 481. few years later, landmark treatise Professor Thayer, while noting itself concluded: 22 "What stated thus: — 23 "1. relieve party whose works going 24 "2. serves therefore purposes prima facie sense is, temporarily, equivalent evidence." J. Preliminary Treatise Evidence Common Law, Appendix B, p. 575 (1898) (hereinafter Thayer).5 25 plays unique role proceedings. Chief Burger opinion (1976): 26 "The justice. Long ago stated: 27 'The principle accused undoubted law, axiomatic elementary, enforcement lies foundation administration law.' 453 [15 402, 481] (1895)." 1692. 28 violate Due Process Clause Fourteenth proper prosecution's doubt given. Whether omission amounts violation noncapital depends circumstances," (1979). judgment, always given conclusion essential appraisal today, here included age, subject, and—of importance —the erroneous refusal prohibit cross-examination Arnold explained: 30 "[T]rial effort [affirmative showing petitioner history] prevented doing incorrect court. told insisted offering permit counter This flatly contrary law." 1500, (CA8 1992).6 31 unquestionably explains why entitle offenses certainly responsible 32 trial—whether innocence—would requiring reversal conviction. holding (1978), comparable vacation sentence.7 therefore, properly set aside uninformed legislature authorized withhold record.8 33 corresponds precisely innocence. When reveals all evidence," spite indictment, conviction crime, presumptively refute presenting act indicted; similarly, objecting done rebut trial.9 34 "disturbed offender." Ante, 1226. danger "jury What lacking, advice draws distinction between offenders membership rather shall how be. Failure advise effect status offender just unfair "as sentence." 320, 2947, (1989) original).10 35 proffer," 1225, considers attest rely putting suggestion inconsistent allow privilege self-incrimination.11 obviously trial; wrong deny otherwise appropriate failed testify. 36 Admittedly, analysis enables obtain double benefit youth. barely old circumstance; shield earlier misbehavior scrutiny stake. I believe, seeks take young person. undermines protections traditionally provided youthful lesser moral culpability greater potential rehabilitation. doubly disturbing summarily thus expediting execution who, firmly eligible all. Thompson 487 815, 830-831, 2687, 101 702 (1988) opinion). 37 respectfully dissent. SOUTER joins Part opinion. exclude "some regarding crimes," including burglary, robbery stealing. 27, ground connected offense, cf. juvenile, "extremely prejudicial" "[ir]relevant" murder. Motion Limine, 143 21, pre-trial conference, least two" murder—that already additional heading "Adult Arrest Record," three (robbery, stealing) day arrest present crime. Dept. Social Services, Div. Probation Parole (March 23, limine client's confession unrelated argued "extracted burglary second, first, stealing under, think total 7. ones involve house. beforehand. My asking sustain forbidding Mr. Bauer [the prosecutor] bring up." willing unfounded remarks, (or court) actually single birthday murder cousin. notes, "[ir]relevant," "to admit statements written extremely prejudicial. ." correct, course, improper prejudice admitting arguing withheld. unfortunate spared reapplied (under reading stray record) relevant provides: No adjudication child deemed operate impose civil disabilities ordinarily found guilty adjudication. "3. After taken custody section 211.131, admissions, confessions, officer personnel chapter, well reports used purpose whatsoever proceedings, criminal, proceedings chapter." Mo.Rev.St. (Supp.1991)) establishes factor: provide, consideration factor. "A 'an proof,' determines come, 'in nature evidence,' reason; 'evidence'—in counts outset, enough case." Thayer 576. members agree Arnold's constituted separate distinct 586 [98 973] (1978)," 1500-1501, interpretation procedural safeguards stage stage. Gardner Florida, 430 349, 358, 97 1197, 1204-1205, 51 393 (1977) ("[I]t process, itself, satisfy Clause"); Smith, 451 454, 1866, 68 359 (1981) (Fifth self-incrimination applies sentencing); Bullington 430, 1852, 270 (Double Jeopardy sentencing). statutes regulated "[b]y enacting resemble explicitly determine 'proved case'." 444, 1861 original). claim focused court's mention Similarly, rationale mentioning presumption. Nevertheless, jurisprudence affirm below. manifestly unjust reverse correct simply adequately correctly generally 1224. (1990). clean defendant—even —is viewed merely State, means disprove required. "We Oklahoma permits 'as Okla.Stat., Tit. 701.10 (1980). listen." 115, 877, "I disagree remanding serve useful purpose. opportunity believed sentence. speculate Criminal insufficient offset difference treatment petitioner's 'purely semantics,' Woodson [v. North Carolina, 428 280, 2978, 49 944 (1976) ] remove legitimate finding ambiguity court." 119, 879 (O'CONNOR, concurring). self-incrimination, through Malloy Hogan, 378 84 1489, 653 (1964), clearly 463, 1873 ("Given gravity relieved obligation observe fundamental guarantees. Green Georgia, I> 442 95, 97, 2150, 2152, 738 (1979); Presnell 439 14, 235, 236, 58 (1978); 357-358, 1204, opinion)").

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