Document: 503 U.S. 222 112 S.Ct. 1130 117 L.Ed.2d 367 James R. STRINGER, Petitioner,v.Lee Roy BLACK, Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Corrections, et al. No. 90-6616. Argued Dec. 9, 1991. Decided March 1992. Syllabus After finding petitioner Stringer guilty capital murder, a jury, in the sentencing phase case, found that there were three statutory aggravating factors. These included factor murder was "especially heinous, atrocious or cruel," which had not been otherwise defined trial court's instructions. sentenced to death, sentence affirmed by State Supreme Court on direct review, and postconviction relief denied state courts. The Federal District then him habeas corpus relief, rejecting his contention "heinous, cruel" so vague as render arbitrary, violation Eighth Amendment's proscription cruel unusual punishment. Appeals ultimately affirmed, holding entitled rely Clemons v. Mississippi, 494 738, 110 1441, 108 725, Maynard Cartwright, 486 356, 1853, 100 372, proceedings because those decisions, issued after became final, announced "new rule" Teague Lane, 489 288, 109 1060, 103 334. Held: In federal proceeding, whose death final before decided is foreclosed from relying cases. Pp. 227-237. (a) When seeks based principle judgment, requires court determine, first, whether decision question new rule, i.e., dictated precedent existing when judgment final. If answer yes neither two exceptions apply, available petitioner. Second, if did announce it necessary inquire granting sought would create rule prior applied novel setting, thereby extending precedent. See Butler McKellar, 407, 414-415, 1212, 1217, 347. P. 227-228 [SC2Q!]] (b) For purposes Teague, rule. Its invalidation Oklahoma's atrocious, circumstance controlled Godfrey Georgia, 446 420, 1759, 64 398, held Georgia's killing "outrageously wantonly vile, horrible inhuman" imprecise, inviting arbitrary capricious application penalty Amendment. 228-229. (c) This rejects State's that, at time Stringer's conviction Clemons, have apply holdings system differences between use factors their Georgia Godfrey. principal—and critical—difference schemes unlike "weighing" State, jury has defendant least one must weigh such against mitigating evidence. Zant Stephens, 462 862, 890, 2733, 2749-2750, 77 235, expressly left open possibility weighing infection process with an invalid might require sentence. Although later appellate case could reweigh circumstances undertake harmless-error analysis, this suggested Amendment permits weighing-state affirm without thorough analysis role played process, but required courts implement well-established requirement individualized determinations cases, see, e.g., Zant, supra, U.S., 879, S.Ct., 2744. nonweighing long body finds valid factor, fact also does infect formal deciding appropriate. But told its decision, itself skewed. Thus, only gives emphasis be some degree precision underscores applicability system. 229-232. (d) Moreover, defeats reasonable believe no constitutional define Lowenfield Phelps, 484 231, 546, 98 568, distinguished. It important Court, authority meaning law, all times viewed scheme subject Godfrey's dictates. See, Gilliard 428 So.2d 576. correctness view matter law evident issue even mentioned unchallenged took for granted proposition uses who shall eligible for, receive, penalty, cannot practical fail guide sentencer's discretion. 756, n. 1, 1445, 1 (Blackmun, J., concurring part dissenting part). pre-Clemons Fifth Circuit cases ruled inapplicable dispositive, since ignored Court's own characterization accorded significance centrality therefore seriously mistaken under precedents Clemons. 232-237. 909 F.2d 111 (CA5 1990), reversed remanded. KENNEDY, delivered opinion REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. SOUTER, filed opinion, SCALIA THOMAS, Kenneth J. Rose, Durham, N.C., Marvin L. White, Jr., Jackson, Miss., respondents. Justice KENNEDY Court. decreed we either 372 (1988), 725 (1990). argues committed same error both unconstitutional. presented proceeding 334 (1989). 2 * June 1982, Ray McWilliams wife, Nell, shot home armed robbery. fire fatal shots, he plan robbery take it. outset. crimes, gruesome aspects, are described review 454 468, 471-473 (1984). 3 Under may imposed murders designated statute "capital murder." Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-19(2) (Supp.1991). A course burglary within category. Following conviction, proceeds case. convicted receive sentence, find eight factors, determine outweighed circumstances, any. 99-19-101. 4 instructions, most following wording, were: 5 "1. Defendant contemplated life taken and/or intentionally engaged attempt commit robbery; pecuniary gain. 6 "2. purpose avoiding preventing detection lawful arrest Stringer, Defendant. 7 "3. especially cruel." Brief Respondent 4. 8 instructions further third factor. 9 On affirmed. supra. With respect "imposed influence passion, prejudice any other factor," id., 478; "the evidence fully support[ed] jury's statutorily circumstances," 479; disproportionate sentences Ibid. Petitioner's certiorari February 19, 1985. 469 1230, 105 1231, 84 368. Postconviction 485 274 (1986). 10 comes us begun first petition United States Southern Mississippi. relevant claim petitioner's considered "heinous procedural bar and, alternative, merit. Scroggy, 675 F.Supp. 366 (1987). 11 Without consideration question, merits, infirmity unchallenged. 862 1108 1988). vacated consideration. 1074, 1800, 931 remand related Cartwright decisions relied upon earlier Smith Black, 904 950 cert. pending, 90-1164, We certiorari, 500 ----, 2009, 114 97 (1991), now reverse. II 12 Subject exceptions, predicate unless 347 (1990); Penry Lynaugh, 492 302, 2934, 106 256 (1989); As explained Butler, "[t]he 'new rule' . validates reasonable, good-faith interpretations made though they shown contrary decisions." 414, 1217. Neither here, our inquiry confined Maynard, 13 subsequent interpreting initial second. First, determined exception applies, If, however, interests finality, predictability, comity underlying jurisprudence undermined equal invocation old manner A. 14 determination begin 398 (1980). invalidated inhuman." Id., 428-429, 1765. formulation deemed reasoning Maynard. Oklahoma 359, 1856. language gave more guidance than Godfrey, formulation. 363-364, 1859. 15 argue To appears wise concession. indeed involve somewhat different language. mistake conclude vagueness ruling limited precise applying "brea[k] ground." 412, 1216. was, therefore, B 16 Of substance process. yet undecided. acknowledge view, basis denying light Indeed, extent significant, suggest follows, fortiori, 17 principal difference what termed while not. 738-739, 1443; Parker Dugger, 498 731, 812 (1991). existence By contrast, imposing specific function should Instead, scheme, " '[i]n making factfinder takes into guilt-innocence phases trial. relate offense defendant.' 872, 2740, 235 (1983) (quoting response certified question). 18 That precision. express 2749-2750. 19 close scrutiny import effect 2744; Eddings Oklahoma, 455 104, 110-112, 102 869, 874-875, 71 (1982); Lockett Ohio, 438 586, 601-605, 2954, 2963-2965, 57 973 (1978) (plurality opinion); Roberts Louisiana, 431 633, 636-637, 1993, 1995, 52 637 (1977); Gregg 153, 197, 96 2909, 2936, 49 859 (1976) (joint Stewart, Powell, JJ.); Woodson North Carolina, 280, 303-304, 2978, 2991, 944 opinion). order sentencer instructed consider done absent Otherwise, deprived demands line 20 principles illustrated Barclay Florida, 463 939, 3418, 1134 (1983). like judge imposes recommendation jury. legitimate law. clear Florida given weight 958, 3429 (opinion J.); 973-974, 3437 J.). Therefore, dissent's suggestion, post, 245-247, opinions focused demonstrates reviewing make automatic assumption infected short, claims 21 general improper reassessed care assure proper given, arguable support permitted affirmance supported multiple invalid. 22 determining can upheld despite "semantics," thought, F.2d, 1115, critical importance. appropriate penalty. Assuming determination, resulting introduction stage proceedings. assume thumb removed death's side scale. skewed, reweighing level suffices guarantee received emerges single dissent require, 243-247, setting forth dual criteria sentencing. systems Georgia: States, 23 similar argument itself, contends points crime fits narrow definition offense. Any additional during phase, requisite differentiation among defendants place deliberation guilt. cites 568 analysis. Lowenfield, arising Louisiana applicable here indicate 24 person first-degree homicide, category homicide. 241, 553. homicide five criteria. 242, 553 La.Rev.Stat.Ann. 14:30A (West 1986)). next decide considering Unlike 25 argued duplicated elements already rejected consequence, procedures failed class death-eligible predictable manner. observed 'aggravating circumstances' end means genuinely narrowing persons channeling see reason why performed findings guilt phase." 244-245, 554. went compare Texas occurs phase. 245, 555 (discussing Jurek Texas, 262, 2950, 929 (1976)). contrasted schemes. 26 premise comparable Louisiana's error. stated uncertain terms distinction operates system; course, forbidding upon. source guidance. 576, 586 (Miss.1983), compared Dobbert 375 1069 (Fla.1979), denied, 447 912, 3000, stated: 27 "In lower pass muster amount existed sufficient uphold present Dobbert, jury." Gilliard, 586. 28 Whether adopting kind approved Barclay, 3429, so, questions relating merits need here. What dispositive impose Evans 422 737, 743 (Miss.1982) (applying ). strange federalism ignores highest 310, 1074 concerns nonretroactivity principle). 29 moreover, dictates procedure correct. There granted, challenge, 1445 joined BRENNAN, MARSHALL, part) (noting unconstitutionality implicit 30 Even free ignore understanding way works, reject suggestion form do decisive imprecise content. employed fails channel used sense worse, creates risk will treat deserving illusory circumstance. Because randomness bias favor cautioned invalidated. 31 Nothing suggests Mississippi's. ambiguous, relevance cite, slight best. 32 note reliance show anticipated odd. all, fiction contend 1984 1988 decision. say defeat merits. could. Insofar "validates precedents," little cause complain allow look knew time. event, dwell anachronism inherent because, concluded, provide concluding 33 Clemons' concluded Thigpen, 809 239, 483 1033, 107 3278, 782 (1987); Johnson 806 1243 (1986), 480 951, 1618, 94 802 Before addressing reiterate rationale adopted which, court, primary beneficiary doctrine. recognized bound Mhoon 464 77, 85 (1985) (requiring, construction factor). 34 Circuit's views inquiry, 415, dispositive. doctrine validate precedents. Reasonableness, many contexts, objective standard, ultimate reading short serious Thigpen Thigpen. central proceeding. explained, these facts significance, yield well-settled principle: invalidates very judicial 35 reverse consistent opinion. 36 ordered. whom THOMAS join, dissenting. 37 Today holds jurist believed 1985, years (1983), so-called State. maintains, contrary, 1985 obvious deprives While I submit respectfully dissent. 38 (1989), prisoner seeking generally benefit prisoner's 301, 1070 opinion), is, exhausting appeals, 314, 2944, announces "if result defendant's final." opinion) (emphasis omitted). "susceptible debate minds," (1990), or, put differently, "reasonable jurists disagree," Sawyer Smith, 497 2822, 193 39 He considers circumstance, nor infirm. never endorsed position discuss pre-1985 infra, Part I-A, post-1985 implicitly least, invokes, I-B. Finally, enquire II. 40 apposite start circumstances. Once longer play role: aggravation mitigation. returned verdict strength just 426, 1764 Saying "[a] ordinary sensibility fairly categorize almost every 'outrageously inhuman,' 1765, "restraint infliction sentence," 428, Accordingly, applied, violated struck down Furman 408 238, 92 2726, 346 (1972): "provide meaningful distinguishing few [the penalty] not." 427, (internal quotations 41 came showing several respondent "a substantial history assaultive criminal convictions," 866, 2737. Shortly respondent's sentencing, "substantial history" wide latitude discretion penalty," rendering alone unconstitutional Furman. Arnold 236 Ga. 534, 541, 224 S.E.2d 386, 392 (1976). nevertheless refused vacate Stephens' adequately other, unchallenged, Stephens 237 259, 261-262, 227 261, 263, 429 986, 508, 50 599 agreed, distinguishable Amendment, 878, 2743, remaining properly discharged obligation, irrelevant, adequate Furman, 888-889, 2749, mandatory arbitrariness disproportionality stemming source, 2749. 42 last present. But, exist record, 944-945, 3422, recognize 946, 3423. violate not: satisfied requirement. 957, 3428 966-967, 3433 (STEVENS, judgment); 947-948, 5, 3423-3424 J.) (distinguishing involving circumstance). 43 (1988). There, presence eventually death. collateral Tenth instruction sense. 822 1477, 1485-1491 (1987) (en banc). Distinguishing amounted 1480.1 Cartwright's noting cure defect performing 1482. 44 observing practice attempting "save .," 365, 1860. (Instead, simply commute "invalid" imprisonment, 1857.) said faulted undertaking themselves do." 45 followed Like (one cruel"), ground, inter alia, salvaging resting established "[W]hen ., nonetheless verdict." 743-744, 1445. where originally Constitution demanded resentencing whenever unconstitutionally 744, 1446. argument, saying nothing forbade salvage 745-750, 1446-1449, although, minimum, perform 751-752, 1450. 46 relaxed "authorizing requiring remains circumstance," explained: 47 "An (1978), (1982), give treatment actual mix Cf. [supra, 3429]." 752, 48 adds explanation "creates randomness." Ante, 236. says "ske[w]" ante, 232, placing "thumb [on] scale," ibid., "creat[ing] [of] treat[ing] 235-236, ibid.2 instant challenged. then, vague3 offend circumstance.4 Put majority answers negative, discover concern individualized-sentencing realize think endues prescience, reasonableness. true reserved State: "[I]n concerning possible particular 'invalid' specifically exercising penalty." 2750. 51 agree statement notice foregone conclusion. worth remembering "conside[r]" evidence, 871, leaving "unbridled discretion" 875, 2742, 875-880, 2741-2744. unguided created randomness, hardly arose weighed. outcome leap reason. lengthens jurist, resolved strongly implied Florida. judgment). attempts minimize "only factor." 231 (citing J.)). away easily. 53 plurality noted ibid. opinion's discussion point merely responded Barclay's state-law properly, maintained, 3429. failure "mere errors [that] Court," had, assertions, review. 957-958, plurality's constitutionally weighed 54 cast fifth vote 974, quantum (regardless commits error). 972-973, 3437. STEVENS' Proffitt 253, 2960, 2967, 913 (1976), appellate-review obligation imposed, STEVENS minimum 55 read assuming test passed stand nowhere mandated proportionality satisfy minimum. Proffitt, 258, 2969 ("The reviews each ensure results reached cases"). 226. 56 sum, mindful caveat reasonably assumed along ones treated significant enough provided proportionality. Teague: bars conclusion books Circuit, indeed, recently 1108, 1115 (1988); Edwards 849 204, 211 (1988).5 conflict 1480 banc), unreasonable govern Nor, my dismissed having "no support" expressed, 231. III 58 necessarily violates unobjectionable, follows situation. hints difference. 1480-1481 (individualized sentencing); 1485 (narrowing). mere inclines towards cannot, object skew operation random vague, not, does, 230,231, consideration, ones, tainted ensuing stand, more, instructed, say, protected behavior aggravation. 956, 3428, 885, 2747, alike. Because, remained, Cartwright. distinguished 1113; Edwards, 211, 7.

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