Document: 439 U.S. 14 99 S.Ct. 235 58 L.Ed.2d 207 Virgil Delano PRESNELL, Jr.v.State of GEORGIA. No. 77-6885. Nov. 6, 1978. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner was indicted and found guilty by a jury three capital offenses—rape, kidnaping with bodily injury, murder malice aforethought. Under Georgia law, may impose the death penalty if it finds that offender committed felony under at least 10 statutorily enumerated aggravating circumstances. Ga.Code § 27-2534.1(b) (1975). The only such circumstance relevant here is 2 "[t]he [capital] offense . while engaged in commission another ." 27-2534.1(b)(2). 3 At phase petitioner's trial, instructed could (1) for rape petitioner murder, (2) injury rape, or (3) "kidnapping harm, aggravated sodomy." all offenses were during specified additional offenses, imposed sentences on petitioner. 4 On appeal, Supreme Court held first two not stand. 241 Ga. 49, 52, 64, 243 S.E.2d 496, 501, 508 (1978). Both depended upon having forcible court determined had properly convicted offense.1 5 In addition, State rely sodomy as constituting associated kidnaping.2 Nonetheless, despite fact been finding " (emphasis added), upheld third jury. It did so theory that, lack evidence record supported conclusion offense, which turn established element harm necessary to make sufficiently justify sentence. 6 Cole v. Arkansas, 333 196, 68 514, 92 L.Ed. 644 (1948), petitioners trial one but their convictions affirmed Arkansas basis indicating they instructed. reversing convictions, Mr. Justice Black wrote unanimous Court: 7 "It much violation due process send an accused prison following conviction charge he never tried would be convict him made. "To conform entitled have validity appraised consideration case issues court." Id., 201-202, 517.3 8 These fundamental principles procedural fairness apply no less force than do guilt-determining any criminal trial. Cf. Gardner Florida, 430 349, 97 1197, 51 393 (1977). light these principles, sentence crime aforethought cannot 9 Insofar petition certiorari challenges injury4 imposition sentence, granted along motion proceed forma pauperis. judgment affirming reversed, remanded further proceedings inconsistent this opinion. kidnaping, statutory denied. ordered. 11 BRENNAN, concurring. 12 I join opinion Court. For reasons stated my dissenting Gregg Georgia, 428 153, 227, 96 2909, 2950, 49 859 (1976), addition hold violates Eighth Fourteenth Amendments therefore resentenced remand from 13 MARSHALL, While Court, again emphasize proceeding unconstitutional. 15 POWELL, whom Chief REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 16 If, per curiam states, spite failure return proper verdict crime, decision. My review court, however, has convinced me might well jury's verdict. Because fundamentally ambiguous point, clarification rather vacating death. Accordingly, dissent. 17 five offenses: Lori Ann Smith; Andrea Furlong; Furlong "with injury." submitted jury, alleged supplied her kidnaping. returned verdicts four counts. sentenced counts: (i) Ann, circumstance; (ii) Andrea, (iii) circumstance. also term years Ann. 18 vacated injury. With respect noted both distinguish between crimes. As rape. indicate whether because believed our recent Coker 433 584, 2861, 53 982 (1977), mandated, tainted rape.1 disturb, underlying 19 affirm being kidnapping matter issue here. According below ruled even though state law provide bodily-injury then holds constitutionally requires force. Statutory insufficient render purpose imposing penalty.2 20 Although model clarity, careful reading decision persuades misconstrued critical part what below. correct supply component kidnaping.3 But incorrect say necessarily rejected unambiguous sodomy4 establishing converted simple into law. point hopelessly obscure. observes, portions read sodomy, assault victim, constitute "bodily injury" Ante, n. 2. An equally plausible opinion, once inflicted think decide question considered alone, establish element. Certainly decided proved, part, rape.5 Moreover, expressly satisfy requirement, reverse ruling.6 21 use sentencing, without resolution state-law question. If meant rule does proof purposes although suffice, must reversed. A defendant "entitled [his] convictio[n] 202, 517, (1948). Here, permitted find offense. allowed specify coincided sodomy. error instruct redeem mistake ruling other injured his victim ways. Duncan Louisiana, 391 145, 88 1444, 491 (1968). This particularly true here, deemed itself. 22 accomplished force, appear conviction. substantial resolved below, clarification.7 "rape." its found, interpreted "rape" rape—an includes harm. there explain holding, holding itself unambiguous. First, unequivocally stated: "The support older child, resulted child." Ga., S.E.2d, 501. Second, after concluding added: state's attempted reliance child ground retrial." Ibid., 502. present case, when rehearing recognized prior notice, either indictment, instructions elsewhere, relying kidnaping: "On urges, among things, notice child's injuries raped He charged child. "Motion denied." 67, 510. same relied circumstances penalty—kidnaping wit, —the Court's affirmance resulting unconstitutional dictates id., 200, ante, 14, 27-2534.1(b)(2) (1975) limits those crimes whose course homicide will sustain certain felonies. is. See 1, supra. actually identified problems conviction, double jeopardy ambiguity discussed text. made clear close begins observing: Thus, upheld." 501 apparently believes "both" instances Immediately cited Estevez, 232 316, 206 475 (1974). That involves protection against provided Constitution, substantially broader scope Federal Constitution. punished separate arising conduct. Ibid. plain concerned punishments violate situation where involved. applied similar facts Allen State, 233 203, 210 680, 682 When stand, each invalid, one. context and, "[a]s consequence foregoing, Andrea's person. To finding, required beyond reasonable doubt "performed sexual act involving organ mouth Furlong, forcibly will." Unlike given option convicting age consent. count Similarly, sentencing stage order "engaged felony, wit: Furlong." There apparent reason why should requirement. require elements distinction relates body violated. Compare 26-2001 26-2002 involve violent interference person, logically Counsel moved acquittal count, arguing specific rejecting motion: "I give you precise advantage your motion. specifically person higher crime. require, physical bruising battery, vile gross anything can ten year old don't problem it." Record 990-991. Nowhere view incorrect. it, preclude resentencing kidnaping-with-bodily-harm determine counts proper.

Category: 0