Document: 512 U.S. 573114 S.Ct. 2419129 L.Ed.2d 459 Terry Lee SHANNON, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 92-8346. Supreme Court of the United States Argued March 22, 1994. Decided June 24, Syllabus * In Insanity Defense Reform Act 1984 (IDRA or Act), Congress made insanity an affirmative defense, created a special verdict "not guilty only by reason insanity" (NGI), and established comprehensive civil commitment procedure. At his trial on federal criminal charge, petitioner Shannon raised defense asked District to instruct jury that NGI would result in involuntary commitment. The court refused, returned verdict. affirming, Appeals noted that, under its pre-IDRA precedent, juries were not be instructed concerning consequences acquittal. Because there was no directive IDRA contrary, "adhere[d] axiom it is inappropriate for consider informed about verdict." Held: A district required regarding defendant P. ____. (a) principle are their verdicts reflection basic division labor between judge as sentencer trier fact. Providing jurors sentencing information invites them ponder matters within province, distracts from responsibilities, creates strong possibility confusion. (b) does require courts depart foregoing principle. text gives indication rejects Shannon's contention Congress, modeling D.C.Code Ann. § 24-301, impliedly adopted D.C. Circuit decision endorsed practice giving instruction question context 24-301. departed scheme embodied 24-301 several significant ways when passed IDRA, canon construction urged — adoption wording statute another legislative jurisdiction carries with jurisdiction's judicial interpretations applicable. single passage history endorsing way anchored IDRA's entitled authoritative weight. Pp. (c) matter general practice. Even if correct some may harbor mistaken belief defendants found will released into society immediately, must assumed followed instructions apply law regardless discuss punishment. See Richardson v. Marsh, 481 200, 206, 107 1702, 1706-1707, 95 176. Also unpersuasive allay fears such misinformed jurors. Indeed, because mandatory period confinement maximum 40 days hearing, type at issue might incline convict order eliminate dangerous could after less. any event, draw jury's attention very thing possible should ignore. Moreover, offers principled limit availability cases involving verdicts, opposed many other aspects process which unfamiliar. Given nature Congress' review during enactment invoke supervisory powers chose mandate. (d) This misunderstood absolute prohibition instructing regard An form necessary certain limited circumstances remedy misstatement error. That case here, however, improper statement presence trial. 981 F.2d 759 (CA5 1993), affirmed. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, GINSBURG, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed dissenting opinion, BLACKMUN, Thomas R. Trout, New Albany, MS, appointed this petitioner. Amy Wax, Washington, DC, respondent. Justice THOMAS Court. 1 case, we whether insanity," either We conclude required, therefore affirm. 2 A. 3 Prior 98 Stat. 2057, amended, 18 U.S.C. §§ 17, 4241-4247, generally did recognize (NGI). Defendants who mounted successful is, those reasonable doubt sanity time offense simply guilty." See, e.g., McCracken, 488 406, 409, 418 1974); Evalt States, 359 534, 537 (CA9 1966). addition, procedure available ensure acquittee receive proper care treatment. Only Columbia successfully presented charge subject governed 1955 congressional enactment. 69 609, (1981).1 Elsewhere, authorities forced rely willingness state institute proceedings. Reliance cooperation "at best partial solution serious problem," "[t]ime again . decried gaping statutory hole." supra, 417. 4 Before enacted, Federal Courts disapproved post-trial Thus, typically given what happen acquitted insanity. gave two reasons disapproving instructions. First, they pointed out absence procedure, acquittal far certain. Second, concluded run afoul well-established base evidence before it, without 423; Evalt, 546; Borum, 464 896, 900-901 (CA10 1972). 5 endorse Circuit. Lyles 254 725 (1957) (en banc), cert. denied, 356 961, 78 997, 1067 (1958). Lyles, addressed (1951 Supp. V), which, unlike applicable law, provided and, above, recognized "well sound" doctrine "that has concern consequences" verdict, but stated "d[id] apply" situation it. F.2d, 728. According court, although "aware meanings guilty," unfamiliar meaning Ibid. had "a right know" "as accurately [they] kno[w] common knowledge verdicts." 6 John Hinckley all charges stemming attempt President Reagan's life, coupled ensuing public focus prompted undertake overhaul operated courts. effort IDRA. proved clear convincing evidence, insanity." 17 4242(b). filled "statutory hole" been identified courts, see creating 4243. Under held custody pending occur 4243(c). conclusion determines hospitalized released. 4243(d), (e). B 7 a.m. August 25, 1990, police officer stopped Shannon, convicted felon, street Tupelo, Mississippi. For explained record us, accompany him station house speak detective. After telling he want live anymore, walked across street, pulled pistol coat, shot himself chest. 8 survived suicide indicted unlawful possession firearm felon violation 922(g)(1). trial, involuntarily committed verdict.2 refused give proposed charge. Instead, "to [instructed] consequence," "punishment enter your consideration discussion." 9 Fifth affirmed conviction. (1993). Id., 761-762 (discussing supra ). Turning observed "said nothing informing 764. requirement" Ibid.3 10 granted certiorari, 510 ----, 114 380, 126 330 (1993), II 11 It well function,4 admonished "reach sentence imposed." Rogers 422 35, 40, 2091, 2095, 45 (1975).5 our legal system jury. function find facts decide whether, facts, crime charged. judge, contrast, imposes arrived Information irrelevant task. providing factfinding Pope 298 507, 508 1962); cf. Rogers, U.S., S.Ct., 2095. 12 Despite these familiar precepts, contends whenever requested defendant. He also argues address each argument turn. 13 To determine intended turn first, always, statute. refers once, reference occurs description return. Act, "the shall (1) guilty; (2) (3) As below observed, "leaves solely customary determination guilt innocence." 763. Act's thus support required. 14 asserts, express because, (1981),6 Circuit's relies Capital Traction Co. Hof, 174 1, 36, 19 580, 594, 43 L.Ed. 873 (1899), stated: 15 "By interpretation, heretofore applied borrowed statutes State provisions received known settled deemed have together expounded, construed understood State." 16 Carolene Products 323 18, 26, 65 5, 89 (1944) ("[T]he rule [is] previous wording"); Cathcart Robinson, Pet. 264, 280, 120 (1831). interpretation upon relies, merely "presumption intention" invoked "under suitable conditions." Products, 5. believe "conditions" "suitable" case. mind Crutchfield, 893 376, 378 (CADC 1990), not, language "borrow" terms D.C.Code. Rather, ways. example, requires prove 17(b); statute, employs preponderance standard. 24-301(j). hearing 4243(c); 50 scheme. 24-301(d)(2)(A). whose involved bodily injury damage another's property, substantial risk thereof, demonstrate release, 4243(d); scheme, acquittee, character offense, need meet 24-301(k)(3). provides once committed, longer presents harm others 4243(f); "will future others." 24-301(e). Finally, rejected broad test utilized provision,7 instead more restrictive formulation person insane unable appreciate quality wrongfulness acts." 17(a). differences render inapplicable case.8 Alternatively, provision explicitly requiring unnecessary different reason: namely, intention adopt crystal history. particular, points following Senate Report: "The Committee endorses used whereby jury, raised, effect If requests given, discretion not." S.Rep. 98-225, p. 240 (1983) (footnotes omitted). 20 Members expressed differing views role play interpretation. Compare County Washington Gunther, 452 161, 182, 101 2242, 2254, 68 751 (1981) (Rehnquist, dissenting) ("[I]t useful guide intent Congress"), Wisconsin Public Intervenor Mortier, 501 597, 617, 111 2476, 2488, 115 532 (1991) (Scalia, concurring judgment) (legislative "unreliable genuine indicator intent"). aware however (and bring one attention), weight On face, identifies purport explain interpret conveys Committee's "endorsement" "procedure" include Act. snippet history, abandon altogether interpretative process. agree "courts authority enforce [a] principl[e] gleaned point." International Brotherhood Elec. Workers, Local Union 474, AFL-CIO NLRB, 814 697, 712 (1987) (emphasis seeks.9 21 Setting aside, proposes Presumably, asks us power over erroneously immediately society. Jurors impression, continues, fear defendant, released, pose danger community. concludes jurors, tempted return appropriate. 22 assuming assumption open debate10 option here almost invariable follow instructions." 1707, 176 (1987). take juror's part ignore potential situations. Government fails burden proof necessarily assumes juror vote acquit, rather than convict, even convinced highly incarcerated. do treated differently. 23 persuaded whom concerned. "[I]f members so fearful particular defendant's release violate oaths convicting [the defendant] set free, questionable reassured anything short strongly suggesting NGI, likely civilly lengthy period." Fisher, F.3d 115, 122 (CA3 pending, 93-7000. accurate assurance. postverdict hospitalized. 4243(c), (d). hearing. Instead encouraging predicts, opposite less.11 Whether works advantage disadvantage course, somewhat beside point. Our central inevitable toward 24 detailing raised. verdicts. But, matter, minimum sentences, nor probation, parole, range accompanying lesser included offense. Thigpen, 1573, 1578 (CA11 1993) 93-6747; Frank, 956 872, 879 1991), 506 113 363, 121 276 (1992). conceivable misunderstandings options, reasoning, obligated possibilities well. short, pursue logic position, against soon swallowed exceptions. 25 recent action area counsels hesitation invoking powers. product thorough exhaustive task certainly seeks. whatever reason, so. circumstances, reluctant principles explicit guidance Congress. III 26 Although practice, circumstances. If, witness prosecutor states "go free" intervene counter misstatement. appropriate response, vary specific note observations situation, 27 28 properly requested, 29 So ordered. 30 BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 31 minimized injustice years abandoned good reason. 1957, shortly enacted persons trials conducted Columbia, Appeals, sitting banc, considered significance provision. Recognizing uninformed avoid individual otherwise go given. 1957), jointly authored Judge Prettyman then-Judge Warren Burger, "does problem us": 32 having fairly three guilty, Jurors, people general, guilty. But commonly meaning. means neither freedom accused confined hospital mentally ill until superintendent certifies, satisfied, recovered others. think know knows 725, 728 (1957). 33 Concurring Bazelon acknowledged "[t]he false insanity, like outright acquittal, frees walk streets lead despite crime." 734. Trial pattern approved prosecutors, counsel, judges ever since.1 34 Other comparable prior authorized acquittees except Columbia. advising often would, indeed, free tended increase convictions. adhere rule, primarily designed protect improperly sympathy victim, arguments inadmissible comments courtroom. 35 When (IDRA), entire system, making basis holding unmistakably demonstrates sponsors precedent thereafter nationwide. ante, force mandate, verifies thoughtful legislators believed entirely sound. now change accepted protects meaningfully obvious startling particularly perceived inconsistency protective defendants' rights. wiser disposition allow choose rules, tilt scales favor every 36 incongruity Court's compounded selection (1975), calls "principle" Ante, worth noting writer Chief Burger authors Lyles. sent asking accept "Guilty charged extreme mercy Court"; answered yes, five minutes later 36-37, 2093. What aside violated Rule Rules Criminal Procedure responding inquiry counsel. 40-41, 2095-2096. judge's response misleading advise recommendation binding court. context, failure admonish reach imposed prejudicial supporting majority's view, relevant illustration how concerned actual realistic jurors' deliberations distorted incorrect consequences, elementary notions fairness demand clarifying 37 suggests actually prejudice lacks merit, unless advances tired exceptions," since 1957 illusory. Some help issues "Freed confusion practical able governing defense." Shickles, 760 P.2d 291, (Utah 1988). Rather relying totally unsubstantiated qualm belied both seriousness refusal identifiable countervailing 38 today decided. ____, n. 9. No suggested, level understanding approximates conventional choice "guilty" study overestimates extent underestimates length mental hospitals."2 long numbers serves critical purpose. Yet if, seems prepared assume, already knowledgeable issue, surely can harm. 39 increasing number use instruction,3 American Bar Association.4 Newman's succinct assessment pros cons exactly right: "There keep make it." Blume, 967 45, 52 (CA2 1992) (concurring opinion). I respectfully dissent. syllabus constitutes Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. Brawner, 471 969, 996 1972) banc); Cohen, 733 128, 129-131 1984) 1576, 93-6747. instructions: " 'In event [Shannon] commit [him]' "; '[Y]ou facility [he] property another.' App. A-22. addition below, Ninth Eleventh Circuits recently reaffirmed holdings 880-882 (1992); F.3d, 1578. Third left sound judge." panel Second divided issue. (1992) (Newman, concurring) ("I always prefers omission. Winter believes normally Lumbard judge"). Particularly capital trials, responsibilities. Simmons South Carolina, 2187, --- ---- (1994). undisputed responsibilities deliberating hours reaching Court," minutes. 2093 (internal quotation marks (that recommend "extreme mercy"), "admoni[shed] [them] [their] Code continued govern operation prosecutions Cf. 377-379 1990) (holding applies prospectively enactment). defined lack capacity conform one's conduct requirements acts. 973-995. construction. stems notion interpreting "borrowed" language, same placed borrowed. supposedly construe provision; rather, appears relied infra, "known construction," virtue borrowing additional "gap" announced nationwide." 759, 763 (which makes implicitly Court) unpersuasive. rejecting Lyles-type instruction, generally, properly, additionally altered fact 1577. suggests. contrast ha[d] meaning." 1957) Today, assume free. ("[H]ighly publicized cases, Hinckley, dramatized verdict"). 54 (Winter, result). due overcrowded hospitals, strapped social services budgets, sympathetic judges, etc., combat prospect early opt 763, 6. depending content influence countless unpredictable 121-122, (describing various scenarios induce compromise context). Instruction 5.11 1978 edition Jury Instructions reads: "If becomes duty St. Elizabeths Hospital. There release. proof. remain custody, finds injure illness." Silver, Cirincione, Steadman, Demythologizing Inaccurate Perceptions Defense, Law Human Behavior 63, (Feb. 1994). Erdman State, 315 Md. 46, 553 A.2d 244 (1989); 291 1988); People Young, 189 Cal.App.3d 891, 234 Cal.Rptr. 819 (1987); Thomson, 197 Colo. 232, 591 1031 (1979); Commonwealth Mulgrew, 475 Pa. 271, 380 349 (1977); Roberts 335 So.2d 285 (Fla.1976); Mutina, 366 Mass. 810, N.E.2d 294 (1975); Babin, 319 367 (La.1975). Fleming, Case Which Defendant Pleads Hospital Confinement Event Acquittal, 81 A.L.R.4th 659, 667 (1990) (noting "an apparent trend authorizing acquittal"). ABA Mental Health Standards 7-6.8 (1989).

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