Document: 505 U.S. 1079 112 S.Ct. 2926 120 L.Ed.2d 854 Henry Jose ESPINOSA, Petitioner,v.FLORIDA. No. 91-7390. June 29, 1992. Rehearing Denied Sept. 4, See , 113 26. PER CURIAM. 1 Under Florida law, after a defendant is found guilty of capital felony, separate sentencing proceeding conducted to determine whether the sentence should be life imprisonment or death. Fla.Stat. § 921.141(1) (1991). At close hearing at which prosecution and defense may present evidence argument in favor against death penalty, ibid., trial judge charges jurors consider "[w]hether sufficient aggravating circumstances exist," mitigating exist outweigh circumstances," "[b]ased on these considerations, sentenced death." 921.141(2). The verdict does not include specific findings circumstances, but states only jury's recommendation. "Notwithstanding recommendation majority jury," court itself must then "weig[h] circumstances" finally will 921.141(3). If fixes punishment death, issue written statement weighed. Ibid. 2 A jury petitioner Espinosa first-degree murder. penalty hearing, instructed factors. One instructions informed that it was entitled find as an factor murder had "especially wicked, evil, atrocious cruel." 921.141(5)(h). recommended impose court, finding four two factors, did so. On appeal Supreme Court Florida, argued "wicked, cruel" instruction vague therefore left with insufficient guidance when existence factor. rejected this affirmed, saying: "We reject Espinosa's complaint respect text heinous, atrocious, cruel upon rationale Smalley v. State, 546 So.2d 720 (Fla.1989)." 589 887, 894 3 Our cases establish that, State where sentencer weighs weighing invalid circumstance violates Eighth Amendment. Sochor 504 ----, 2114, 2119, --- ---- (1992); Stringer Black, 503 1130, 1140, 117 367 Parker Dugger, 498 111 731, 738, 812 (1991); Clemons Mississippi, 494 752, 110 1441, 1450, 108 725 (1990). further sense if its description so leave without for determining presence absence Stringer, supra, U.S., S.Ct., 1135. We have held more elaborate than one given instant case unconstitutionally vague. Shell 313, (1990); Maynard Cartwright, 486 356, 1853, 100 372 (1988); Godfrey Georgia, 446 420, 1759, 64 398 (1980). 4 here argue any less we lacking Shell, Cartwright Godfrey. Instead, echoing Court's reasoning 720, 722 (Fla.1989), argues there no need instruct specificity our required final authority, because, scheme, "the sentencer" Amendment purposes. This true, argues, because bound by recommendation; rather, independently exist, and, enter "[n]otwithstanding 5 examination law indicates, however, pay deference recommendation, give "great weight" life, see Tedder 322 908, 910 (Fla.1975), Smith 515 182, 185 (Fla.1987), cert. denied, 485 971, 1249, 99 447 Grossman 525 833, 839, n. (Fla.1988), 489 1071, 109 1354, 103 822 (1989). Thus, has essentially split process two. Initially, result turn weighed within court's circumstances. 6 It true case, directly weigh But, presume so, Mills Maryland, 367, 376-377, 1860, 1866-1867, 384 (1988), just followed cf. Walton Arizona, 497 639, 653, 3047, 511 (1990), gave resultant By giving indirectly found. kind indirect creates same potential arbitrariness direct factor, Baldwin Alabama, 472 372, 382, 105 2727, 2733, 86 300 (1985), result, therefore, error. 7 often recognized are many constitutionally permissible ways States choose allocate capital-sentencing authority. id., 389, 2736; Spaziano 468 447, 464, 104 3154, 3164, 82 340 (1984). Today's decision way signals retreat from position. merely hold decides place authority actors rather one, neither actor permitted 8 motion proceed forma pauperis petition writ certiorari granted. judgment reversed. remand proceedings inconsistent opinion. 9 So ordered. 10 THE CHIEF JUSTICE Justice WHITE dissent would grant set down oral argument. 11 SCALIA, dissenting. 12 For reasons my opinion 2117, (1992), I summary reversal sentence. Since courts several sound factors unquestionably comports "narrowing" requirement Furman 408 238, 92 2726, 33 346 (1972). Compliance special procedure demands. 669-673, - (1990) (SCALIA, J., concurring part judgment). deny petition.

Category: 0