Document: 507 U.S. 463 113 S.Ct. 1534 123 L.Ed.2d 188 A.J. ARAVE, Warden, Petitionerv.Thomas E. CREECH. No. 91-1160. Argued Nov. 10, 1992. Decided March 30, 1993. Syllabus * After respondent Creech pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the brutal slaying of a fellow Idaho prison inmate, state trial judge sentenced him death based, in part, on statutory aggravating circumstance that "[b]y murder, or circumstances surrounding its commission, defendant exhibited utter disregard human life." In affirming, Supreme Court, among other things, rejected Creech's argument this is unconstitutionally vague and reaffirmed limiting construction it had placed language State v. Osborn, 102 405, 418-419, 631 P.2d 187, 200-201, whereby, inter alia, " 'the phrase "utter disregard" . meant be reflective cold-blooded, pitiless slayer.' Although Federal District Court denied habeas corpus relief, Appeals found facially invalid, holding, Osborn narrowing inadequate cure defect under Court's precedents. Held: 1. light consistent definition given by circumstance, face, meets constitutional standards. Pp. ____. (a) To satisfy Eighth Fourteenth Amendments, capital sentencing scheme must channel sentencer's discretion 'clear objective standards' provide specific detailed guidance make rationally reviewable process. See, e.g., Lewis Jeffers, 497 764, 774, 110 3092, 3099, 111 606. order decide whether particular these requirements, federal court determine defining itself too guide sentencer; if so, courts have further defined terms; and, those definitions are constitutionally sufficient, i.e., they some guidance. Walton Arizona, 639, 654, 3047, 3057, 511. However, not necessary here life" passes muster. The has adopted construction, requirements. (b) sufficiently "clear objective." ordinary usage, "cold-blooded, slayer" refers killer who kills without feeling sympathy. Thus, describes defendant's mind: his mens rea, but attitude toward conduct victim. law long recognized such mind "subjective" matter, fact inferred from circumstances. determining killed sympathy may difficult, does mean cannot, with Constitution, authorize judges inquiry take their findings into account when deciding punishment warranted. Cf. Walton, supra, at 655, S.Ct., 3058. (c) question close, satisfies requirement State's "genuinely narrow class persons eligible penalty." Zant Stephens, 462 862, 877, 103 2733, 2742, 77 235. so broadly include all murderers, category which broad because includes sizable number second-degree murderers specified Even within definitions, word "pitiless," standing alone, might defendants, since conclude every murderer "pitiless." Given scheme, however, reasonably could find defendants "cold-blooded," do exhibit feeling, example, anger, jealousy, revenge. (d) This rejects suggestion parties dissent facial constitutionality as construed should determined examining consistency applications cases. challenge precedents consider formulations ensure consistent, see, Proffitt Florida, 428 242, 255, n. 12, 96 2960, 2968, 49 913, authorized review cases been applied consistently. A comparative analysis cases, moreover, would particularly inappropriate here. None relies influenced either upheld sentence before any set facts, thereafter repeatedly interpretation. 2. decides only foregoing question. no occasion reach Jeffers issue—whether courts' application facts case violated Constitution. See U.S., 783, 3104. Because already entitled resentencing basis another Appeals' rulings, posture makes unnecessary remaining arguments. 947 F.2d 873 (CA 9 1991), reversed part remanded. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, filed dissenting opinion, STEVENS, Lynn Thomas, Boise, ID, petitioner. Clifford Gardner, San Francisco, CA, appointed respondent. Justice O'CONNOR Court. 1 1981 Thomas Eugene beat kicked inmate Penitentiary. He was death. based Code § 19-2515(g)(6) (1987). sole we interpreted adequately channels required Amendments. 2 underlying more chilling. admitted killing participating least 26 people. bodies 11 victims were shot, stabbed, beaten, strangled death—have recovered seven States. said that, unless he completely isolated humanity, likely will continue killing. And identified name three people outside walls intends kill opportunity. 3 most recent victim David Dale Jensen, maximum security unit When serving life sentences murders. about years junior, nonviolent car thief. also physically handicapped. Part Jensen's brain removed prior incarceration, plastic plate skull. 4 remain unclear, primarily conflicting accounts them. one version, Jensen self defense. version gave hearing—other inmates offered pay help escape Jensen. Creech, through an intermediary, provided makeshift weapons then arranged attack him, create excuse Whichever (if either) true, record supported following facts: 5 "Jensen approached swung weapon consisted sock containing batteries. took away returned cell emerged toothbrush taped razor blade. two men again met, made movement struck between eyes battery laden sock, knocking floor. fight continued, according swinging blade hitting filled sock. imbedded skull shattered, blood splashed floor walls. Finally, broke batteries fell out, time helpless. commenced kicking throat head. Sometime later guard noticed blood, taken hospital, where died same day." 105 362, 364, 670 463, 465 (1983), cert. denied, 1051, 104 1327, 79 722 (1984). 6 murder. held hearing accordance 19-2515(d) hearing, issued written format prescribed Rule 33.1 Criminal Rules. Under heading "Facts Argument Found Mitigation," listed "did instigate victim, provocation, attacked him. [Creech] initially justified protecting himself." App. 32. Argumen[t] Aggravation," stated: 7 "[T]he once commenced, complete domination control defendant. extremely gruesome evidencing excessive violent rage. With victim's excuse, many aspects assassination. These actions went well beyond self-defense. 8 ". appears intentional, calculated act." Id., 32-33. 10 reasonable doubt five circumstances, including 34. observed context "[a]fter helpless him." Ibid. Next, concluded mitigating did outweigh Reiterating "intentionally destroyed being helpless," ibid., temporarily remanding impose open presence, affirmed. vague, reaffirming 187 (1981): 12 'A upon I.C. 19-2515[g](6), properly define important note provision overlaps. second 19-2515[g](2), committed committed, obviously show life, third 19-2515[g](3), knowingly created great risk persons. can fourth 19-2515[g](4), remuneration. Since presume legislative intent duplicate enumerated thus making [the circumstance] mere surplusage, hold viewed reference acts than forth §§ (3), (4). We instead crime highest, utmost, callous Idaho, 370, P.2d, 471 (quoting 200-201) (citation omitted). independently reviewing record, evidence clearly judge's finding 369, 470. Then, law, see 19-2827(c)(3) (1987), compared similar disproportionate. emphatically not: "We examined dating back 50 our examination fails disclose remorseless, calculating, cold-blooded multiple ever Court." 375, 476 (footnote 13 petition writ United States Idaho. relief. Arave, 86-1042 (June 18, 1986). Ninth Circuit, agreed vague. (1991). first considered discretion. 882-883. unsatisfactory well. Explaining what mean, reasoned, give content. F.2d, 883, 12. Nor words life' clarify language; merely emphasize it. 883-884 (citing Maynard Cartwright, 486 356, 108 1853, 1859, 100 372 (1988)). deemed inadequate. precedents, 511 (1990), require "defin[e] terms standards." 884. "[C]old-blooded, fails, said, calls "subjective determination." construction's infirmity case. view, "without provocation" 'evidenc[ed] rage' reconciled conclusion pitiless" killer. therefore invalid. 884-885. 14 Three dissented denying rehearing en banc. dissenters argued panel misconstrued both factor decisions. Whether slayer," subjective inquiry; evidentiary 890 (Trott, dissenting). indistinguishable approved Walton. 890. granted certiorari, limited 504 ----, 5, 120 934 (1992). II 15 governed standards articulated 606 (1990). fundamental principle 'suitably direc[t] limi[t]' 'so minimize wholly arbitrary capricious action.' 3099 Gregg Georgia, 153, 189, 2909, 2933, 859 (1976) (joint Stewart, Powell, Stevens, JJ.)). 'channel clear guidance, process imposing death.' Godfrey 446 420, 428, 1759, 1765, 64 398 (1980) (plurality opinion) (internal quotation marks omitted)). 16 undertake asked standards: 17 sentencer. If attempt done sentencer." 3057 (emphasis original). 18 Where, sentencer rather jury, knew existing construction. 653, 3057. 19 Unlike Appeals, believe 20 Contrary dissent's assertions, post, ____, Webster's Dictionary defines "pitiless" devoid of, unmoved by, mercy compassion. Third New International 1726 (1986). lead entry "cold-blooded" gives coordinate definitions. One, "marked absence warm feelings: consideration, compunction, clemency," id., 442, mirrors "matter fact, emotionless." It true sometimes used describe "premedita[tion]," Black's Law 260 (6th ed. 1990)—a mental coincide with, distinct from, lack But premeditation sense Osborn. Other construction—"callous" —indicate sense. "Premedita[tion]," specifically addressed elsewhere homicide statutes, 18-4003(a) (1987 (amended Supp.1992)); premeditation, language. 21 then, assume legislators use ordinary, everyday senses, INS Phinpathya, 464 183, 584, 589, 78 401 (1984), there reason suppose otherwise. questions resort dictionaries common meaning offers persuasive authority suggest word, present context, means anything else. 22 thought lacks meaning, requires disagree. faced pejorative adjectives "especially heinous, atrocious, cruel" "outrageously wantonly vile, horrible inhuman" whole Shell Mississippi, 498 1, 313, 112 (1990) (per curiam ); 363-364, 1858-1859; Godfrey, 428-429, 1764-1765. Postal Service Bd. Governors Aikens, 460 711, 716-717, 1478, 1482-1483, 75 403 (1983) (" 'The man's much digestion. very difficult prove ., ascertained else' Edgington Fitzmaurice, 29 Ch.Div. 459, 483 (1885))). 23 Determining undoubtedly than, "was previously convicted murder," 19-2515(g)(1) import Arizona's cruel, depraved" circumstance. Arizona "depraved" manner perpetrator 'relishes debasement perversion,' 'shows indifference suffering evidences pleasure' killing." 3058 159 Ariz. 571, 587, 769 1017, 1033 (1989)). guided discretion, even though "the proper degree nature susceptible mathematical precision." 3058; accord, 777, 3100; cf. 260, 2970, 913 (WHITE, concurring judgment) (approving Florida "although mechanical leave unfettered"). 24 issue less objective" sustained "relishes" derives "pleasure" arguably easier sympathy, enjoyment affirmative state, whereas cold-bloodedness negative. think subtle distinction significance. like ascertainable facts. Accordingly, decline invalidate ground insufficiently "objective." 25 Of course, enough courts, determinate. Our 235 (1983). purpose enable distinguish deserve not, principled doing so. 776, 433, 1767. fairly applies penalty, infirm. 1859 (invalidating "an person honestly believe" described murder); 1765 ("A sensibility characterize 'outrageously inhuman' "). requirement. murderers. 18-4004 broad. premeditated murders carried out poison, lying wait, certain kinds torture. 18-4003(a). addition, otherwise classified degree, 18-4003(g)—including homicides "considerable demonstrating abandoned malignant heart" (a term art unintentional extreme recklessness, American Institute, Model Penal 210.2(1)(b) Comment, (1980)), 18-4001, 18-4002 (1987)—become accompanied For 18-4003(e), enforcement judicial officer performing official duties, 18-4003(b); 18-4003(c); occurs during escape, 18-4003(f), commission attempted arson, rape, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, mayhem, 18-4003(d). words, provocation receive penalty law. 27 acknowledge categories, penalty. imagine how compassion justification. "cold-blooded." That feeling. Some, revenge, variety emotions. treat pleasure deserving not. similarly subclass By narrowed meaningful way whom imposed. 28 argues points wide range This, claims, demonstrates nothing catch-all. apparently agrees. State, turn, own contends consistent. essence, us us. As initial "all factors," demonstrate requisite renders unsurprising. irrelevant decisions (construing "has manner" court's proportionality review). stated separate narrowed, valid. 778-780, 3101-3102. sure, unclear. Sochor 2114, 119 326 (1992), adhered single Florida's "heinous, ---- - 2121-2122; JJ.) (reviewing establish consistently). 30 1983—before relies, asks sentence, appellate sentence. Idaho's formulation original interpretation repeatedly, often reciting verbatim. Card, 121 425, 435-436, 825 1081, 1091-1092 (1991) cases), 506 321, 241 explained differs atrocious 19-2515(g)(5) focuses mind. Fain, 116 82, 99, 774 252, 269 ("[T]he 'utter disregard' outrageousness constituting conscientious scruples against being"), 493 917, 277, 107 258 (1989). satisfied III 31 alternatively valid, apply suggests—as dissent, ____ provoked "excessive rage" irreconcilable disregard." error appeal. There self-defense explanations them, bear determination. Tr. Oral Arg. 5-7, 18-21; 15. 32 valid violates Constitution "no sentencer" exist. case, relief claims: improperly refused allow new resentenced court, 881-882. On claim, court. 882. today face judgment remanded proceedings opinion. 33 ordered. 34 STEVENS joins, dissenting. 35 Confronted insupportable statute, majority turn concocts formulation. Like "nonsense stilts,"1 majority's reconstruction highlights deficient character nebulous seeks advance. metaphor unenlightening, recasting dictated legal usage statute I dissent. 36 discuss applicable briefly, because, agree kind. acknowledges, ante, genuinely justify imposition severe others murder." save flawed unconstitutional vagueness, wrong "presum[ing] construction." Ante, "The familiarity opinions, serve body articulates coherent meaningfully limits apply." 692, 3078, (dissenting opinion). "plainly submission however shocking be, themselves, warrant 363, (1988). invite assess indeterminate each Clemons 494 738, 757-761, 1441, 1453-1455, 725 (opinion part). source paramount need 'make opinion), quoting Woodson North Carolina, 280, 303, 2978, 2991, 944 37 phrase, life," 418, 200 (1981); Sivak 197, 209, 731 192, 204 (1986), unadorned, meet understandable. Every regard cause somehow partial, "utter" disregard. intended specialized meaning—other presented constructions—that successfully class. Osborn's saves statute.2 38 offense "acts slayer." 419, 201. Jettisoning term, cumbersome singles sympathy." fail sympathy" different "devoid compassion"—the concedes 39 distinction, test, never flow ineluctably case: stress obvious point "facial" nature—one alleging provides cannot defeated demonstration exists contested entire language's susceptibility interpretations (facially) unconstitutional. expected adequate this. 40 begin "ordinary usage." mercy." 442 rendition term's credited, singled act clemency. Obviously illuminating adjective majority. What consideration compunction. 41 eagerness boil down serviceable core, virtually ignores cites. Instead, comes up hybrid own—"without sympathy"—and goes step further, asserting feeling," refer ordinarily understood "kill emotions." incorrect. parlance, routinely killings fall definition. nine weeks year label ex-spouse angry over visitation rights,4 jealous lover,5 revenge killing,6 "full hatred,"7 close-range assassination enemy foe bitter ethnic conflict,8 prompted humiliation hatred,9 fanatical cult members,10 enjoyed killing,11 perhaps appropriately, murders.12 All occurred "feelings" kind another. cold-blooded. assertion narrows rules emotions" erroneous, description simply emotion. 42 "cold blood" meaning. "Cold "to designate willful, deliberate, homicide." 1990). such, differentiate first- murders.13 Frady, 456 152, 1584, 71 816 (1982), writing Columbia's statute: 'In homespun terminology, intentional cold impulse sudden heat passion.' 170, 1595, Austin States, 127 U.S.App.D.C. 180, 188, 382 129, 137 (1967). Murder is, sense, opposite "hot blood." Arguably, covers An Godfrey. 43 examine courts. acknowledges appropriateness "other unclear," Here, believes "irrelevant," "there consistent," misses point. relevant inconsistently invoked, says does. (unconstitutional) consistently (or ever, matter). If, declared "jabberwocky" carefully invoked "killing police officer" dispense reaffirmed. 44 reveals better "jabberwocky." noted above, remotely approaching novel "those factors, applying Aragon, 358, 690 293 killer's supposedly demonstrated refusal render aid "[h]is concern cover participation incident." 367, 302. Pizzuto, 742, 810 680, 712 (1991), "approached Mr. Herndon gun, drop pants crawl cabin proceeded bludgeon skulls hammer. left them die convulsing." And, determination helpless." Each characteristics frightfully deplorable, emotion—or other, matter eludes me. Without rationalizing connect "cold-bloodedness" stand fact-specific, "gut-reaction" conclusions 45 futility bring rationality glaringly evident post-Osborn endeavors explain depth. (1989), being." 744 269. Accord, 436, 1092. latest statement emotionless crimes, but, instead, sweepingly "conscientious 46 brief embraces Fain's "In acted scruple Brief Petitioner 25. cites reassuring "best operates catch- covered circumstances." 24. evidence" good evidence, especially disregard.14 Equally unsettling frank admission "does factors depend presence Instead chosen rely ability distinctions non-capital somewhat subjective. ." 9. gestalt approach precisely Cartwright forbid. 47 Ultimately, hardly seems look inadequate, insufficient support takes pains assure "could chilling," 1538,15 explicit subject unprovoked place rage." 52. (one indifference, ____), covered, wrongly 48 Let me construction—"the slayer"—refers exclusively crimes occur sympathy," "anger, No showing made. something distasteful absurd project parsing lexicon business, shall business Today's stretches bounds permissible past breaking 'Vague suddenly become terms,' 693-694, 16, Maynard, 822 1477, 1489 (CA10 1987), nor sweeping categories restatement. worthless, neither salvage busy repairing affirm Appeals. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 337, 282, 287, L.Ed. 499. J. Bentham, Anarchical Fallacies, Works Jeremy Bentham 501 (1843). clear, purported high actually undid clarity allowed pay, authoritative told "bad reasons," imparted, channeling boundless statute. Kuczka, Self-Defense Claimed Trial, Chicago Tribune, February 3, 1993, p. ("To prosecutors, Eric Moen gunned wife's former boyfriend Streamwood restaurant parking [lot] quarrel rights ex-boyfriend's infant daughter"). Caba, Friedman Prosecutor Rebuffed, Philadelphia Inquirer, 19, ("The prosecution she Edwards leaving [her] return wife Texas"). McMahon, Dad Does Everything Right, Son Goes Wrong, 7, (youth who, charges, after saying "he going retaliation victim] done" reminds, killer"). Gorman, Millionaire Guilty Killing Ex-Wife, ("Assistant Atty. Robert Egan portrayed Davis 'manipulative,' depicted man hatred Diane Illinois Appellate ruled $1.4 million inherited money spouse"). Burns, U.N. Ask NATO Airdrop Supplies Bosnians, York Times, January A10 (shooting Bosnian Deputy Prime Minister Serbian soldier Department spokesman Richard A. Boucher murder). Man Gets Life Double Murder, Toronto Star, 4, A12 (the "called 'a killing' spurred defendant's] 'humiliation hate people,' squabbled 1991 mayoralty campaign"). McKay, Koresh "Smiled Defiantly" Before Ambush, Agent Says, Houston Chronicle, A1 'These aren't religious. killers shooting window place' Milling, Charged Slayings, Crime Spree, A23 'I'd psychopath gets gratification hurting Carroll said. 'He's your typical serial just likes pull trigger watch die.' 'We guy killer,' said"). Longenecker, Penalizing Convicts, (letter) ("[L]egislation expand needed. [I]f individual commits society"). line "ordinary" "legal" always obvious. hand, casually senses. contrary assumptions, regularly "with McWilliams Estelle, 378 F.Supp. 1380, 1383 (SD Tex.1974) ("It theory store owner petitioner, became angry, hotel room, pistol, shot blood"), app. dism'd, 1278 (CA5 1975); People Sullivan, 183 Ill.App.3d 175, 131 Ill.Dec. 820, 824, 538 N.E.2d 1376, 1380 (1989) "exhibited jealous, nature. situation arise again, probability again"); Yates, 65 319, 325, 185, 191, 505, 510 (1978) ("This concerted, deliberate Shirley Emma Yates motivated revenge"). parlance "premeditated." Reward Offered Slaying Women Shadow Park, Los Angeles 21, J2 mayor's statement: 'This in-cold-blood killings, drive-by random shooting. premeditated' suggests finding. 27, citing Charboneau, 299 Charboneau. vacated "unclear [trial court's] Findings imposed having [mistakenly] mortally wounded until volley shots fired." 151, 321. mention factor, erroneous tainted discussion "facts case" centers life"—and argument, engineered pretext explicitly "find performed contract plan." "unprovoked," constituted factor.

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