Document: 506 U.S. 357 113 S.Ct. 835 122 L.Ed.2d 103 Wilburn DOBBSv.Walter D. ZANT, Warden. No. 92-5579. Decided Jan. 19, 1993. PER CURIAM. 1 The motion of petitioner for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and the petition a writ certiorari are granted. 2 A Georgia jury found Dobbs guilty murder sentenced him death. In his first federal habeas petition, claimed, inter alia, that he received ineffective assistance from court-appointed counsel at sentencing. District Court rejected this claim after holding an evidentiary hearing. Because transcript closing arguments made sentencing was, by State's representation, unavailable, relied on testimony petitioner's regarding content argument find had rendered effective assistance. Civ. Action 80-247 (ND Ga., 13, 1984), p. 24. Appeals Eleventh Circuit affirmed, also relying counsel's about mitigation. v. Kemp, 790 F.2d 1499, 1514, n. 15 (1986). 3 Subsequently, located penalty phase arguments, which flatly contradicted account given key respects. Petitioner moved Appeals, now reviewing related proceedings Court, supplement record appeal with transcript. court denied without explanation. 90-8352 (CA11, Nov. 1, 1990). 4 Affirming Court's denial relief other claims, held law case doctrine prevented it revisiting its prior rejection claim. acknowledged manifest injustice exception case, but refused apply exception, reasoning left unable show injustice. 963 1403, 1409 (1991). 5 We hold erred when consider full have emphasized before importance capital sentences complete record. Gardner Florida, 430 349, 361, 97 1197, 1206, 51 393 (1977) (plurality opinion). Cf. Gregg Georgia, 428 153, 167, 198, 96 2909, 2922, 2936, 49 859 (1976) (joint opinion Stewart, Powell, STEVENS, JJ.) (Georgia provision requiring transmittal is important "safeguard against arbitrariness caprice"). offered no justification decision exclude consideration. There can be doubt as transcript's relevance, calls into serious question factual predicate deciding As itself acknowledged, refusal review doctrine, hence determine whether should reconsidered.1 6 On facts exclusion cannot justified delay discovery. That resulted substantially own erroneous assertions not been transcribed. found: "[T]he entire available Dobbs' direct appeal, State represented could position legitimately representation well taken." Mar. 6, 1990), 4. 7 that, under particular circumstances described above, refusing hearing judgment reversed, remanded further consistent opinion. 8 So ordered. 9 THE CHIEF JUSTICE Justice WHITE would grant give plenary 10 SCALIA, whom THOMAS joins, concurring judgment. 11 Today's reverses below grounds "manifest injustice" wrongfully failed newly discovered trial. correct, worth making, serving purpose extend scandalous execution death sentence lawfully pronounced more than 18 years ago. 12 general matter, I agree STEVENS' frequently recited view "[i]t appropriate expend scarce resources crafting opinions correct technical errors cases only local where correction way promotes development law." Anderson Harless, 459 4, 12, 276, 280, 74 (1982) (STEVENS, J., dissenting). " 'To remain effective, Supreme must continue decide those present questions whose resolution will immediate far beyond parties involved.' Board Ed. Rogers, Ark. McCluskey, 458 966, 971, 102 3469, 3472, 73 1273 dissenting) (quoting Address Chief Vinson American Bar Association, September 7, 1949). am willing make rule cases—but there realistic likelihood "technical error" affected conviction or sentence. Here fanciful. 13 To begin with, rediscovered covers statements goes fact trial one rather two closing. It rare omission attorney's statement dispositive simply true, moreover, "flatly contradict[s]," ante, 835, initial hearing—or least true sense shows was lying. confirms recalled, argued inappropriate any circumstance. fact, read large portions Brennan's Furman 408 238, 92 2726, 33 346 (1972), certainly eloquent improper case. does reveal mitigation killing impulsive—which, "false," Pet. Cert. 19. so. Although stated point "sure" impulsive-killing point, few lines earlier said "I assume [it]" (emphasis added), clear "a lot really actual recollection." Tr. 70-71 (Nov. 10, 1982). Petitioner's understood import this, describing (in post-hearing brief) "he probably impulsive planned." Post-Hearing Brief C80-247R Dec. 2, 1982), 25, added); see Objections Magistrate's Report Recommendation Sept. 1983), 8, (same). 14 absolutely zero misrecollection (or misreconstruction) "impulsiveness" difference 1986 finding ineffective. ineffectiveness contention directed inadequacy argument, failure introduce mitigating evidence—character witnesses like—during phase. See Petition Writ Habeas Corpus (Dec. 3, 1980), ¶ 49, pp. 17-30, (Aug. 26, 8-18, (Sept. 2-12, Ga.); 1513 (CA11 1986), modified part, 809 750 1987). addressing contention, neither nor obvious reason constitute evidence. setting forth events phase, did mention legal analysis, ruling instead "reasonably substantial investigation" searching testify behalf "reasonable tactical evidence based information him." Zant, 25. affirming elaborated what thought crucial "tactical decision" (which omit favor stunning argument): "Knowing [petitioner's] poor reputation community, [counsel] testified district want put 'positive' character fear persuasive prompt damaging counter prosecution." F.2d, 1513-1514. mentioned footnote, stated: "Although evidence, reveals mitigation." Id., 15. think unimaginable if 1986—showing moving made—the counsel. (Indeed, were our practice vote reverse otherwise omission.) But soars unimaginable, wildly delirious, believe demonstrates such warrants making law-of-the-case so already-decided reopened. short, (admittedly clear) error, except place another obstacle has suspended within "death-is-different" time warp since 1974. concurrence suggests, post, 837-838, error limited scope likely insignificant. inadequate harmful combined, here, may highly relevant determination law. King Strickland, 714 1481, 1491 vacated grounds, 467 1211, 104 2651, 81 358 (1984), adhered remand, 748 1462, 1463-1464 cert. denied, 471 1016, 105 2020, 85 301 (1985); Mathis 704 F.Supp. 1062, 1064 Ga.1989). event, we depart here normal allowing courts familiar conduct their harmless analyses.

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