Document: 521 U.S. 151117 S.Ct. 1969138 L.Ed.2d 327 Joseph Roger O'DELL, III, Petitioner,v.J.D. NETHERLAND, Warden, et al. No. 96-6867. Supreme Court of the United States Argued March 18, 1997. Decided June 19, Syllabus * At penalty phase petitioner's state trial on capital murder, rape, and sodomy charges, evidence was presented that he had been convicted a host other offenses-including kidnaping assault another woman while parole murder fellow prisoner during previous prison stint. The court denied his request for jury instruction ineligible if sentenced to life in prison. determined petitioner future danger, death. In subsequently granting federal habeas relief, District concluded this Court's intervening decision Simmons v. South Carolina, 512 154, 114 2187, 129 133-which requires defendant be permitted inform sentencing is parole-ineligible prosecution argues dangerousness-was not "new'' rule within meaning Teague Lane, 489 288, 109 1060, 103 334, thus entitled resentencing. Fourth Circuit reversed. Held: Simmons' new cannot, therefore, used disturb death sentence. Pp. ____-____. (a) Under Teague, will final conviction or sentence unless it can said that, at time became final, would have acted objectively unreasonably by extending relief later sought court. determine date which final; consider whether considering defendant's claim felt compelled existing precedent conclude seeks required Constitution; not, nonetheless falls one two narrow exceptions doctrine. Lambrix Singletary, 520 ----, 117 1517, 137 771. (b) Petitioner's 1988 decided 1994. an unlikely candidate "old-rule'' status. There no opinion Simmons, array views expressed there suggests announced was, light precedent, "susceptible debate among reasonable minds.'' Butler McKellar, 494 407, 415, 110 1212, 1217, 108 347. An assessment legal landscape bolsters conclusion. Contrary position, result did follow ineluctably from decisions Gardner Florida, 430 349, 97 1197, 51 393, Skipper 476 1, 106 1669, 90 1. seven opinions produced holding procedure permitting consideration secret information relevant offender's character record-there presentence report provided defendant-violates Eighth Amendment. Petitioner points case. And present historical about record but concerning what might happen, under then-extant law, after imposed. Skipper, too, past behavior unconstitutionally prevented adducing. distinction between postsentencing law specifically related also heart cases 1988's complex landscape. California Ramos, 463 992, 3446, 77 1171, reasonably chosen provide some, limited, postsentence capital-sentencing jury, namely possibility pardon. But emphasized conclusion override choices permit their juries informed proceedings, including parole. general proposition retained prerogative how much (if all) regime given further credence Caldwell Mississippi, 472 320, 105 2633, 86 231. judge improperly left with impression because extensively reviewed, plurality concluding Ramos notwithstanding, were never appellate Justice O'CONNOR such information-if accurate-could provided. these cases, hardly unreasonable jurist State constitutionally choosing advise its jurors as events (or not) recommendation. Accordingly, may applied here exception. (c) right rebuttal watershed criminal implicating fundamental fairness accuracy proceeding second exception Teague. Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 83 792, 9 799, distinguished. 95 F.3d 1214, affirmed. THOMAS, J., delivered Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed dissenting opinion, SOUTER, GINSBURG, BREYER, Robert S. Smith, Paw Creek, NC, petitioner. Katherine P. Baldwin, respondents. THOMAS Court. 1 This case presents question set out 133 (1994)-which danger-was 334 (1989), thereby inapplicable already We new, sentence, six years when decided. 2 Helen Schartner last seen alive late evening February 5, 1985, leaving County Line Lounge Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her lifeless body discovered next day, muddy field across highway lounge. Schartner's head laid open several blows barrel handgun, she strangled violence bones her neck broken finger imprints skin. abundance physical linked crime scene crime-among things, tire tracks near consistent car, bodily fluids recovered matched He indicted counts sodomy, abduction (which count dismissed). 3 After trial, found guilty counts. During subsequent hearing, establish aggravating factors: "wanton, vile inhuman.'' Evidence prior offenses, parole, inmate earlier explaining eligible request. beyond doubt "would constitute continuous serious threat society'' "his conduct committing offense outrageously wanton, vile, 46 Record 208. recommended death.1 adopted jury's recommendation 40 years' imprisonment each rape convictions, electrocution murder. appealed Virginia, affirmed both O'Dell Commonwealth, 234 Va. 672, 364 S.E.2d 491 (1988). certiorari. 488 871, 186, 102 154 efforts unsuccessful, we again Thompson, 502 995, 112 618, 116 639 (1991). 4 then claim. contended, inter alia, newly obtained DNA established actually innocent, faulty informing ineligibility rejected innocence. Civ. Action 3:92CV480 (E.D.Va., Sept. 6, 1994), App. 171-172. agreed resentencing supra. described "that where dangerousness issue, prohibits release Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment parole.'' 198. available Because prosecutor "obviously O'Dell's releases cross-examination, closing argument, argue danger society,'' 201 (citations omitted), held resentenced could demonstrated fact 5 A divided en banc Appeals 1214 (1996). exhaustive review our precedents, majority "Simmons paradigmatic "new rule,''' id., 1218, and, such, aid closely forth rule, every member "claim actual innocence [was] even colorable.'' F.3d, 1218; see 1255-1256 (Ervin, concurring part part). declined innocence, granted certiorari new. 519 631, 136 552 (1996); ibid. (SCALIA, respecting grant certiorari). II 6 Before upset collateral review, must demonstrate threshold matter court-made benefit "new.'' stated variously formula determining See, e.g., Graham Collins, 506 461, 467, 113 892, 897-898, 122 260 (1993) ("A constitutes rule' "breaks ground,' "imposes obligation Federal Government,' "dictated final''') (quoting U.S., 301, S.Ct., 1070) (emphasis original). bottom, however, doctrine "validates reasonable, good-faith interpretations precedents made courts though they are shown contrary decisions.'' 414, 347 (1990) (citation omitted). "Reasonableness, many contexts, objective standard.'' Stringer Black, 503 222, 237, 1130, 1140, 367 (1992). court, 7 inquiry conducted three steps. First, determined. 1524, 771 (1997). Next, considers "a [the defendant's] [he] Constitution.'' Ibid. Saffle Parks, 484, 488, 1257, 1260, 415 (1990)) (alterations Lambrix). If step analysis 1530-1531. first, limited rules "forbidding punishment certain primary [and] prohibiting category class defendants status offense.'' Penry Lynaugh, 492 302, 330, 2934, 2953, 256 (1989). second, more circumscribed, permits retroactive application "watershed proceeding.'' Graham, supra, 478, 903 311, 1075) (internal quotation marks "Whatever precise scope [second] exception, clearly meant apply only small core requiring observance those procedures . implicit concept ordered liberty.'' III 8 October 3, 1988, affirming direct review. now avail himself, brutal killing elderly woman. assaulted women, resulting convictions rendered him-at least sentenced-ineligible Prosecutors Carolina defendants' appropriate affix 162-163, 2193-2194 (plurality opinion). rebut prosecution's "generalized argument dangerousness'' presenting women,'' none whom likely encounter Id., 157, 2191. shore up demonstrating rebuffed reversed judgment upholding noted prosecutor's "necessarily [be] undercut'' "the alternative without 169, 2196. plurality, relying 393 (1977), (1986), " [b]ecause truthful allows "deny explain' showing dangerousness, due process plainly allowed bring attention.'' 10 joined THE CHIEF JUSTICE concurred judgment, providing dispositive votes necessary sustain it. concurrence recognized: 11 [The has] previously approval "[m]any improper informed-through instruction-of commutation, pardon, parole.' [992, 1013, n. 30, 3460, 1171 (1983)]. early generally States.'' 176, 2200. 12 distinguished noting involved attempt introduce "factual evidence'' regarding "sought rely operation Carolina's law'' danger. [w]hen show dangerousness,'' "should 177, 13 asserts covers case, parole-ineligible-but relay order dangerousness-Simmons vacatur decide purposes, so, Teague's bar. 14 observe, outset, As above, Rather, Blackmun's four Members, allowing jury-through parole-ineligibility face argument. 168-169, 2196-2197. Two members SOUTER mandated instruct issue. 172-174, 2198-2199 (SOUTER, concurring). wrote grounded Clause. 174-175, 2199-2200. KENNEDY O'CONNOR's decisive above. 175-178, 2199-2201. And, Justices dissented, arguing "fit'' any Constitution. 180, 185, 2202, 2204-2205 (opinion J.). itself Butler, 1217; cf. Sawyer 497 227, 236-237, 2822, 2828-2829, 111 193 (citing, 231 (1985), dissenters). PCS1 15 discloses relied upon supra "compelled [petitioner] Constitution.''' Brief Saffle, 1260) 16 Gardner, received who reviewed defendant. "was imposed, part, basis opportunity deny explain.'' 362, 1207. White narrowest grounds whose judgment. Cf. Marks States, 188, 193, 990, 993, (1977). violated "procedure selecting people individual offender. '' 364, 1207-1208 omitted; emphasis added). 17 argued pose disciplinary problems prisoners.'' 1670. Skipper's behaved himself in, "good adjustment'' to, jail arrest concluded: [E]vidence spared (but incarcerated) considered potentially mitigating. Eddings [v. Oklahoma, 455 104, 869, 71 (1982)], excluded sentencer's consideration.'' 1671 (footnote grounded, Eddings, cited Clause, stating [w]here relies prediction asking penalty'' "on explain.''' 1671, 1207). 18 petitioner, merely variation facts Skipper. each, raised issue dangerousness. prisoners. likewise, says rather than of, so women. allegedly 1986 turn 1977 flawed aside running afoul Teague.2 19 Even sum total bearing followed compelling. opinions, Taking view White's Marks, one-that [a] offender'' violates Amendment's requirement "reliability determination punishment.'' —(430 1207) internal sentencer him. "character record,'' extant regime. 20 adducing behavior. It ruling sort afforded describe 2200 (O'CONNOR, judgment). 21 Whatever support standing alone, lend foregone conclusion, far complex. Respondent on, bear constitutionality: (1983), (1985). upheld parole-eligible Governor elected commute neither introduced irrelevant factor into process, 1001-1004, 3453-3455, nor diverted attention task rendering "individualized determination,'' 1005, 3455. Within bounds Constitution, defer California's "identification Governor's power substantive 3460. emphasized, taken "override legislatures'' learn governor's commutation power. "Many courts,'' pointed out, "have 30 added); Ga.Code Ann. §17-8-76 (1982), describing statute "prohibiting clemency'') "We sit judges, legislators, wisdom juror possible best 1014, dissenters disputed constitutionality ever See 1018, 3462 Marshall, Brennan Blackmun, JJ.); 1019-1020, 3462-3463 (asserting prospects unconstitutional). 22 had, concluded, reviewed. Marshall authored except portion. portion, Marshall-writing plurality-concluded proceedings. fifth vote join portion Marshall's opinion. She separately, choose "in struc[t] procedure, existence nature review,'' long chose accurate. 342, 2646 23 Caldwell, think plain adopt Simmons. prohibition imparting pertaining record.'' Although principal (which, turn, Gardner) persuasive, very ground, judgment), suggesting inevitable. 183, 2203-2204 dissenting). 24 That distinction-between hand other-was Caldwell. jury-though just opposite. dissent forbidden provision occurrences reason crime.'' 1022, 3464 contested "appellate death'' "simply wholly sentence'' (as 336, 2643), constitutional "policy choice favor education'' judgment)). 25 then, drawn moment. Indeed, sentiments, go choice'' well most surely course, confronted parole-eligibility, silence. 26 asks judges reasonably, presciently. 244, 1143-1144 carved by, first ever, eventualities. jurist's failure predict think, deemed unreasonable. bar.3 B 27 contends ""watershed procedure' 1076). describes "practice condemned Simmons'' "shocking one.'' 33. forbidding it, told, par'' 799 (1963)-which example falling 495, 1264-because "both rest belief procedural protections essential prevent miscarriage justice,'' 35 disagree.4 Unlike sweeping Gideon, affirmative counsel all felony affords has """alter[ed] understanding bedrock elements''' Sawyer, 242, 2831 1076, quoting, Mackey 401 667, 693, 91 1180, 28 388 (1971) (Harlan, judgments part) Teague)). possesses little "watershed'' envisioned IV For reasons herein, 29 ordered. BREYER join, dissenting. 31 guilt established, undisputed hearing led imposition His eligibility depended ability convince "probability commit acts society.'' 69. nothing short sufficient, misconduct "outside system,'' 61,1 "forfeited live us,'' 66. Nevertheless, refused allow imprisoned Thus, make fair response misleading posed community. 32 Our virtually unanimous (1994),2 recognized unfairness restrictive treated expressing ground rested, explained: 33 ""Capital proceedings course satisfy dictates Clause,' Clemons 738, 746 [110 1441, 1447, 725] (1990), hallmarks adversary system meet State's against Crane Kentucky, 683, 690 [106 2142, 2146-2147, 636] (1986). seeking penalty. 1002-1003 [103 3454, 1171] (1983). "[w]here penalty, elemental explain'' [requires point].' 1] quoting 362 [97 1207, 393] (1977) opinion); 9-10 1673-1674] (Powell, judgment).'' 175, 34 hearing; instead, whether, despite admittedly unfair should put before regards novel "court-made rule,'' ante, __, rejects plea. my view, principle old itself, quite articulated opinions. I respectfully dissent. My begins tersely ends-with contention implicates proceeding,'' 1264, therefore retroactively 307, 1073-1074, 36 nonretroactivity. purposes establishes "those "implicit liberty.''''' (Harlan part), quotes Palko Connecticut, 302 319, 325, 58 149, 152, 82 L.Ed. 288 (1937)). limitations Harlan importance protecting "bedrock elements'' "essential substance full hearing.'' Mackey, 693-694, 1180-1181. endorsed caveat "procedures likelihood accurate [determination innocence] seriously diminished.'' 313, 1077.3 37 Since decided, fall exception.4 Simmons-the respond inaccurate argument-is element hearing. arguments "hallmar[k] process,'' (concurring 174, 2199 (GINSBURG, concurring) ("This readily resolved heard''). When state's him, deprived defense.'' 687, 2145, 636 38 today defined "narrow [for] cases,'' cannot excepted nonretroactivity principle. 39 appears appreciate directly few states place same using way [they] successfully case.'' judgment).5 prevailing life-without-parole jury.6 impact discount importance, broad consensus giving underscores rule's significance effect deliberations. example, sentences imposed crimes committed January 1995-whereas ten 1994 alone-and decline number attributed alternative. Green, Death Sentences Decline Richmond Times-Dispatch, Nov. 24, 1996,7 p. A1. scholars practitioners drafted Model Penal Code instructing completely alternatives ensure sentencing. American Law Institute, §210.6 (1980). basic point Beck Alabama, 447 625, 637, 100 2382, 2389-2390, 65 392 (1980), acknowledged find obviously significantly increased arguably available. 41 properly viewed consistently prisoners violation after. Moreover, extent principles underlying needed explicit articulation proceeding. 42 Distinguishing post-Teague jurisprudence easy task, evident me thing one. 43 rights "death Nine later, nine approval, establishing "elemental explain.' (1977).'' 1; 10-11, 1674 judgment) ("The correctly concludes exclusion proffered testimony [P]etitioner's Gardner''). 44 surprise Blackmun [t]he reaffirmed compels today.'' 164-165, 2194 Or quoted process'' answer "prediction "evidence point.'' 45 Today, revise import line cases. misstep treatment Gardner. makes lead Justices,8 instead accepting plurality's takes Amendment, reading ignores squarely accepted good mitigating evidence, went add footnote endorsing statement emphasizing requirement'' justification holding.9 Powell, then-Justice rationale, 1674-1675. serving Gardner's rested explain deny. 746, 725 (citing [c]apital Clause''); 2202 dissenting) "indicat[ing] "sentenced explain,''''' principle). able draw behavior'' wished "an regime.'' Ante, __. simply enough "new''. mislead circumstances. -that forward prosecution-simply model prisoner. 47 thought announce law. focused being withheld) decision-making sentencer. 48 procedure-in parole-was infirm. (This is, advised option concealed case.) explained 1003, 3454-3455, preclude offering 1004, comment anticipated "corrects misconception supplies deliberation sentence.'' 1009, 3458.10 49 While require hold do so. today, endorsement option-involving nonmisleading instructions, mentioning remote "possibility'' parole-might misled concealing entirely certainty impossibility. give instructions options correctly, need "carv[e] exception,'' ante rule. 50 equally unpersuasive. urged finally die, subject controlling explained, remarks "because manner diminished sense responsibility.'' 2646. suggested "wholly irrelevant'' determination, 2643, jury.'' Apart does relate "postsentence procedures,'' assuming concerns anything necessity system.'' consistently, appropriately, particular concern protect determinations cases.11 discards nonexistent tension justify refusal 52 syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. based factor-petitioner's 706, 491, 510 Only us. language "principle 2194, (1994) language, Justices, certainly tending prove new-i.e., "dictated'' then-existing precedent-it conclusive. [c]ourts frequently "controlled' "governed' aware conclusions reached courts.'' (1990). finds lower courts. 1217-1218. By fact, challenge practices similar, identical, Turner Bass, 753 F.2d 354 (C.A.4 1985), rev'd sub nom. Murray, 28, 1683, (1986); O'Bryan Estelle, 714 365, 389 (C.A.5 1983), cert. McKaskle, 465 104 1015, 79 245 (1984); King 850 1055, 1057 1988) (en banc), denied, 1019, 820, 809 (1989); Peterson 904 882, 886-887(C.A.4), 498 537, 547 (1990); Knox 928 657, 660, 662 1991); 543, 551-552, 483, 487-488, 486 1017, 1756, 218 (1988); Mueller 244 386, 408-409, 422 380, 394 (1992), 507 1043, 1880, 123 (1993). addition, have, along Johnson Scott, 68 106, 111-112, 1995), Johnson, 517 1358, 134 525 252 356, 365-366, 478 542, 548 Commonwealth Christy, 540 Pa. 192, 215-217, 656 A.2d 877, 888-889, 516 194, 130 (1995). means inevitable absent "miscarriage[s] justice'' occur. note, Informing spend days necessarily rebutted continuing proceeding, observed: "Isn't interesting outside months year half something happened again?'' 61. drawing parallels robbery Florida some earlier, said: society fair, honest believe government justice system; submit you paroling man did.'' 64. saying: [Y]ou still him prison, ask ladies gentlemen[,] system, believes government, mean? [A]ll times meted stopped Nothing impose.'' following Furman Georgia, 408 238, 92 2726, 346 (1972), nonexistent. (1994), came closer most, dissented. guilt-innocence procedures, trials, see, unique mandates special scrutiny diminishes receive parole-that "innocent penalty,'' Whitley, 505 333, 341-343, 2514, 2519-2521, 120 269 (1992)-is encompassed commonly fit (1963). 168, 8, 2196, 8. 167, 7, (listing schemes either free choose). also, Comment, Truth Sentencing: Prospective Retroactive Application 63 U. Chi. L.Rev. 1573 Eisenberg Wells, Deadly Confusion: Juror Instructions Capital Cases, Cornell 7-9 (" [J]urors relatively tend death''); Paduano Stafford Deathly Errors: Misconceptions Concerning Parole Imposition Penalty, Colum. Hum. Rts. 211 (1987). insofar 364-365, 1208, Brennan, J.); 1208 (Marshall, Where Lockett point; recommending implication respect verdict death.'' 23, 3458, (1983) (Prop. Off. Draft 1962)). 357-358, 1204 ("From defendant, different severity finality. From society, action sovereign taking citizens differs dramatically legitimate action. vital community impose be, appear caprice emotion''). R amos, 998-999, 3451-3452; 637-638,

Category: 0