Document: 446 U.S. 420 100 S.Ct. 1759 64 L.Ed.2d 398 Robert Franklin GODFREY, Petitioner,v.State of GEORGIA. No. 78-6899. Argued Feb. 20, 1980. Decided May 19, Syllabus * Under a provision the Georgia Code, person convicted murder may be sentenced to death if it is found beyond reasonable doubt that offense "was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible inhuman in involved torture, depravity mind, an aggravated battery victim." (This statutory aggravating circumstance was held not unconstitutional on its face Gregg v. Georgia, 428 153, 96 2909, 49 859.) Upon jury trial state court, petitioner two counts and one count assault. The evidence showed after his wife, who living with her mother, had rebuffed efforts for reconciliation, went mother-in-law's trailer; fired shotgun through window, killing wife instantly; proceeded into trailer striking injuring fleeing daughter barrel gun; then shot instantly killed mother-in-law. Petitioner than called sheriff's office and, when officers arrived, acknowledged responsibility, directed officer weapon, later told officer, "I've done hideous crime." At sentencing phase trial, judge quoted question, imposed sentences both convictions, specifying as each conviction inhuman." Supreme Court affirmed court's judgments all respects rejecting petitioner's contention unconstitutionally vague holding supported jury's finding circumstance. Held : judgment reversed insofar leaves standing sentences, case remanded. Pp. 427-433 (opinion STEWART, J.); pp. 433-442 MARSHALL, J.). 243 Ga. 302, 253 S.E.2d 710, 1 Mr. Justice joined by BLACKMUN, POWELL, STEVENS, concluded affirming this adopted such broad construction statute question violate Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. 427-433. 2 (a) If State wishes authorize capital punishment, has constitutional responsibility tailor apply law manner avoids arbitrary capricious infliction penalty, thus must define crimes which way obviates standardless discretion. Cf. Furman 408 238, 92 2726, 33 346; supra. 427-428. 3 (b) In earlier decisions interpreting provision, (i) "outrageously inhuman" demonstrate "torture, victim," (ii) phrase "depravity mind" comprehended only kind mental led murderer torture commit before victim, (iii) word "torture" construed pari materia "aggravated battery" so require serious physical abuse victim death. 429-432. 4 (c) However, courts did limit present case. upon victims, cause either them suffer any injury preceding their deaths. Nor can upheld ground murders were [they] . mind." Petitioner's cannot said have reflected consciousness materially more "depraved" guilty murder. 432-433. 5 BRENNAN, concurring judgment, expressed continuing belief penalty circumstances cruel unusual punishment forbidden Amendments, also agreed plurality Court's at issue here under He further that, even prevailing view may, some circumstances, constitutionally imposed, enough reviewing court narrowing otherwise ambiguous language, being necessary instructed proper, narrow statute, developments since progeny strongly suggest appellate are incapable guaranteeing objectivity evenhandedness contemplated Gregg. 433-442. 6 J. Calloway Holmes, Jr., Cedartown, Ga., petitioner. 7 John W. Dunsmore, Atlanta, respondent. 8 STEWART announced delivered opinion, STEVENS joined. 9 law, murder1 Ga.Code § 27-2534.1(b)(7) (1978). 859, (§ (b)(7)) face. Responding argument language "so could case," joint opinion said: 10 "It is, course, arguable involves mind battery. But need way, there no reason assume will adopt open-ended construction." U.S., 201, S.Ct., 2938 JJ.). 11 Nearly four years passed decision, during time many based whole part (b)(7) been Georgia. now us whether, imposition case, Amendments United States Constitution.2 12 On day early September 1977, 28 heated home. During course altercation, petitioner, consumed several cans beer, threatened knife damaged clothing. point, declared she going leave him, departed stay relatives.3 That afternoon Peace secured warrant charging A few days later, while still away from home, filed suit divorce. Summons served hearing set date weeks later. Before hearing, occasions asked return Each rebuffed. point period, moved mother. believed mother-in-law actively instigating wife's determination consider possible reconciliation. 13 evening according telephoned him Once again they argued. She asserted reconciliation impossible allegedly demanded proceeds planned sale house. conversation terminated would call back This hour so. ensuing was, account, first. His reiterated stand out wanted house, mentioned mother supporting position. Stating saw use talking arguing, hung up. 14 juncture, got walked down hill home where lived. Peering he observed mother-in-law, 11-year-old playing card game. pointed window pulled trigger. charge gun struck forehead instantly. trailer, gun. head 15 local office, identified himself, explained just sheriff come pick arriving enforcement seated chair open near driveway. "they're dead, I them" place put weapon. Later police officer: crime, but thinking about eight I'd do again." 16 subsequently indicted pleaded relied primarily defense temporary insanity trial. returned verdicts three counts. 17 same jury. No tendered, counsel side made arguments Three times argument, prosecutor stated allegation battery." When completed arguments, orally writing standards guide imposing sentence. Both writing, entirety. 18 convictions. As each, specified "that 19 accord cases, prepared report form answers questionnaire review. One whether "physically harmed tortured." judge's response "No, excluding actual murdering victims."4 20 respects. 710 (1979). With regard sentence rejected vague. noted Georgia's legislation cited prior upholding similar vagueness challenges. 308-309, S.E.2d, 717. phraseology matter inadequate statement (b)(7), responded simply observing objectionable." 310, 718. "imposed influence passion, prejudice, other factor," neither excessive nor disproportionate 309-311, 717-718. Two justices dissented. II 21 346, procedures create substantial risk inflicted manner. supra, reaffirmed holding: 22 "[W]here discretion afforded body grave human life should taken spared, suitably limited minimize wholly action." 189, 2932 23 scheme must, short, provide " 'meaningful basis distinguishing cases [the penalty] not.' Id., 188, 2932, quoting 313, 2763 (WHITE, J., concurring). 24 means penalty. Part State's "standardless [sentencing] discretion." 196, n. 47, 2936, 47. See Proffitt Florida, 242, 2960, 913; Jurek Texas, 262, 2950, 929. It channel sentencer's "clear objective standards"5 "specific detailed guidance,"6 "make rationally reviewable process death."7 clear Gregg, "system fail adequately decision patterns juries result pattern like occur." 195, 46, 2935. 25 inhuman."8 There nothing these words, alone, implies inherent restraint ordinary sensibility fairly characterize almost every Such fact, members subscribed. so, preconceptions dispelled instructions. These gave guidance concerning meaning (b)(7)'s terms. interpretation subject sheer speculation. 26 unchanneled uncontrolled basically uninstructed cured affirmance those Court. affirm until independently assessed record determined supports 27-2537(c)(2) 27 past apparently understood obligation carrying keep within bounds. Recognizing "there possibility (b)(7)] circumstance," emphasized permit subsection become "catchall" fit Harris State, 237 718, 732, 230 1, (1976). Thus, exercising function review, restrict "approval lie core." 733, 11. decided 1976, (b)(7). McCorquodale 233 369, 211 577 (1974); House 232 140, 205 217 (1974). homicide "a horrifying torture-murder."9 There, beaten, burned, raped, severely abused strangulation. ilk. choked 7-year-old boys having forced submit anal sodomy. 29 Following our first articulated conclusions reached respect (b)(7): 30 "This effect viz., battery; offender, mind. parties test acts (the offense) inhuman. 31 32 "We believe exclusively (b)(7)10] establishes illustrating core periphery ." 732-733, 10-11. Subsequently, Blake 239 292, 236 637 (1977), elaborated understanding never deemed unanimous without polling member panel. 34 find significant dissimilarity between Considering hand substantially treatment relating defendant, we room nonunanimous prohibition measuring hand. say, results victim. 299, 643.11 35 opinions 1977 separate consistent respecting victim."12 second phrase, mind," third, derived word, "torture," death.13 Indeed, proved number met criteria.14 36 not, however, claim made, suggests, committed or, caused Moreover, repeatedly jury—and wrote report—that involve "torture." Nothing appeal indicates took different evidence. therefore, satisfy criteria laid itself cases. finding, verdict "factually substantiated." 37 validity turns light facts committing, applied ."15 We conclude answer no. victims instantaneously.16 They family causing extreme emotional trauma. Shortly killings, heinous nature crimes. factors certainly remove criminality acts. But, Gardner 430 349, 358, 97 1197, 1204, 51 393, "is vital importance defendant community impose be, appear rather caprice emotion." 38 here. principled distinguish not. Accordingly, reversed, remanded proceedings. 39 ordered. 40 whom BRENNAN joins, judgment. 41 continue addition agree 859 write separately, first, examine application second, why enterprise embarked increasingly appears doomed failure. 42 finds least recommends imposed. 26-3102 (1978), facial challenge constitutionality conceded "arguable Nonetheless, refused invalidate face, reasoning "language Ibid. my view, niceties language. 43 conclusion unconditional; expressly assumption give discernible content read appeal. past, simple notation premise demonstrably false. 44 For reason, readily vague.1 unequivocally judge, prosecutor, tortured. victims.2 died instantaneously moments other, fact weapon extensive damage victim's irrelevant. Ante, 433, 16. 45 am unwilling, accept plurality's characterization below aberrational lapse ordinarily Reasoning rendered shortly (1976), suggests onward battery, manifested "evidence death." 431.3 stop reading Reports Ruffin 95, 252 472 (1979), "we jurors act child: present. Holton 312, 736, cert. denied, 444 925, 263, 62 181 (1979).4 cursory Ruffin, Holton, abandoned intention reaching "core" remarkably inclusive. 46 addition, think emphasize statute. make channeled guided clear, objective, specific standards. ante, 428. To instruction bare words statute—words hopelessly murder, see 428-429; 2938—would effectively grant unbridled defect post hoc court. determine rational might properly instructed; say particular exercised known law. 47 vices intolerably adequate jury, today restricted insufficiently fall 48 discussion leads me what fundamental approach position, Brother myself, Instead spared," sufficient insist eliminate "risk manner." Contrary statutes 346 (1972), "infrequently imposed" capriciously selected random handful," id., 309-310, 2762-2763 (STEWART, concurring), "the threat execution [was] too attenuated service criminal justice," 311-313, 2764 anticipated produce handed, procedure 'distinguishing 198, 2937, Furman, reasons 314-371, 2759-2793 (concurring opinion), 231-241, 2971, 2973-2977 (dissenting handed events seem remote. week year, presented petition certiorari raising troubling issues noncompliance strictures progeny. numerous Courts punishment,5 frequently proceeding allowed undue discretion, dangers arbitrariness violation companion developments, coupled persuasive evidence,6 hoped disgraceful distorting effects racial discrimination poverty painfully visible sentences.7 And hundreds placed row Gregg,8 persons executed.9 effort permitted elsewhere described "state-administered suicide." Lenhard Wolff, 807, 815, 29, 33, (1979) opinion). Gilmore Utah, 429 1012, 436, 50 632 task eliminating proving justice system—and perhaps system—is unable perform.10 apparent defects Brothers DOUGLAS, WHITE concur well schemes defendants currently usefully illustrates point. given real far majority opportunity circumstance.11 considerable frequency has, here, conclusory (b)(7).12 Instances difficult find, constructions adhered regularity. required jury—an indispensable method avoiding sentences." 429. Genuinely independent review exceedingly rare. sum, analysis recent commentator who, careful examination scope instead defined broadly practically reach. Dix, Appellate Review Decision Impose Death, 68 Geo.L.J. 97, 110-123 inability administer fashion necessarily attributable bad faith part; believe, symptomatic deeper problem genuinely intractable. Just five Harlan tasks identifying "before characteristics homicides perpetrators [of] express[ing] authority, ability." McGautha California, 402 183, 204, 91 1454, 1466, 711 (1971). From premise, drew attempted all. intolerable. approved which, perceived it, evenhanded 52 drawn repudiated correct concluding selecting condemned die remains capacities system. remain hopeful unwilling barbaric eventually ultimate sanction plainly failure it—and penalty—must altogether. 53 Chief BURGER, dissenting. 54 After informed "hideous" crime. dictionary defines "morally offensive," "shocking," "horrible." very curious feature himself characterized crime terms equivalent employed part, prefer conduct excuse rationalize another killing. 433. heard relevant mitigating evidence, Lockett Ohio, 438 586, 98 2954, 57 973 obviously shared preference; 55 More new assumes today's decision—the determining case-by-case defendant's egregious role, abuse" 431. me, requirement unfounded trivializes Constitution. Consider, example, young woman thrill it. confessed, "didn't want [she] except [her] life." 720, 4. Does mean anything Constitution precludes merciless, gratuitous killer? novel "objective" criterion, hardly separates prescribe 56 convinced embarks sadly mistaken—indeed confused. insure rights scrupulously respected; meticulous care. emphatically province second-guess tell states "hideous," intentional murderers Because does both, dissent. WHITE, REHNQUIST 58 sole sentence, (1978) 59 Mrs. Godfrey, left entreaty move divorce charged assault incident cut clothes off knife. Godfrey request halt proceedings attempt carried single-action couple's game around table. Firing blast head. daughter, running help, rush nonetheless able run help. reloaded entering fatal calling arrested, advised rights, station, "hideous crime" thought again. 60 Petitioner, over insanity, daughter. years' imprisonment scheme, includes recommendation imposed." premised reads: "The ("§ (b)(7)"). returning death, follows: "[T]hat forms "[t]he 61 capital-sentencing accordance aspects impressed curing system invalidated (1972). First, specifies exist ever §§ 26-3102, 27-2534.1 Second, provides automatic Court, undertake inquiry soundness 27-2537.1 "In prerequisite findings character defendant. compares similarly situated ensure disproportionate." 2937 JJ.); seeid., 204-206, 2939-2940; 223-224, 2948 maintains failed because, construing interpreted fashion. announcing recognized potential interpretative difficulty because "arguabl[y] "But," continued, "this assumethat By "such construction" turned blind eye surrounding constancy performance function. III 63 presents preliminary merely inhuman," repeat entire incantation unobjectionable; presumably notwithstanding abbreviated statement. argues, deeming reversible error, endorsed allows provision's though contends, incomplete indicative "objectively compliance command 8th 14th Brief 23. seems agree. 65 unpersuasive, authorized fix mitigation. App. 79. specifically "[t]hat Ibid.. recitation reveals, gap magnitude duty. perfectly evident, moreover, function, entirety, insisted disjunctively. 431 933, 2642, 251 (1977); 736 (a insufficient support sentence), tellingly, referred discrepancy versions mere "phraseology." such, version, 66 Thus sides litigation felt constrained engage elaborate structural regarding focusing grammar syntax nuance implication—I ascribe significance certain section severable rest immaterial IV 67 bear relation responsibly discharged do. earlier, cold blooded executioner's style, murdered passing, shotgun, surgical precision perforates target. scene, consequence, most unpleasant lay prone floor. Godfrey's hole "[a]pproximately size silver dollar" entered, much less decipherable exited. Tr. 259. Pellets embedded kitchen cabinet. 69 remembered damage, strike head, reload single-shot enter Only get shooting Wilkerson whose last sentient terrifying imagine. facedown floor portion missing brain, longer cabined skull, protruding distance onto Blood covered table, dripped ceiling well. 70 existence disagrees. disagreement, founded notion lower overly broad, reveals conception role backstopping broad. Our genuine errors resulting procedures; peer majestically shoulder quite reasonably—perhaps plainly—fit language.2 71 Who "vile," "inhuman," "horrible" ? performing murderous chore, disfiguring targets, succeeded creating scene macabre revolting anything, "horrible," "inhuman" descriptively inadequate. 72 among honestly feel moments. Her instant ago sitting across table Wilkerson, floor, bloodied mutilated corpse. seconds ticked by; son-in-law gun, take swipe What terror veins witnessed daughter's demise came imminence own. Was torture? exhibit drama mischievous conclusion? thought, reasonably awaiting investigating policemen involving "an victim[s]." 73 definitively horrible, inhuman, assay victims. Rather, lesson elementary one, heart long ago. mandate extend interfering factfinders consistently unless interference predicated convincing showing for, written been, "any factfinder" Jackson Virginia, 443 307, 99 2781, 2786, 560 Faithful adherence standard compels below.3 V 74 regime, performed pursuant procedures. reports brief written, reviewed Of these, affirmed; guilt phase; phase.4 Respondent 13-14. reversal rate 27% historic supreme courts. Courting Reversal: Supervisory Role Courts, 87 Yale L.J. 1191, 1198, 1209 indicated 100-year deciding 5,133 38.5%; 35.6%. extent level, doubtless attributed great admirable uncertainty removed mandatory. L. 1200-1201. 75 vacated procedures, legislature, defective, 117, 210 659 (1974) (holding, inter alia, armed robbery impermissible), aff'd grounds, (1976); circumstance, Fleming 240 142, penaltywhere improper comment phase, Prevatte 929, 214 365 (1975); Jordan limiting type presented, Brown 235 644, 220 922 aside specify exist, Sprouse 242 831, 173 (1979); partial disapproved admitting Stack 234 514 codefendant received Hall 241 252, 244 833 (1978); unconstitutional, Arnold 534, 224 386 76 responsible exclusive nonexclusive excursus whole, flesh "inhuman." (1977). error provision. disjunctively, adopted, arguably assailable grounds. "catchall." supra.5 77 aberration. satisfied, child senselessly ruthlessly executed accomplished end shotgun. affirmed. 472, 995, 530, 425 Banks 325, 227 380 975, 1667, 370 where, disfigurement (1974), 910, 3223, 1218 ibid.; Birt 225 248, 1029, 654, 78 majority's drive wedge others unconvincing, suggestion somehow overall function.6 VI 79 endorses namely, how effective government, created humans, inevitably incompetent it." 226, 2949 faced seemingly endless train scenes, endeavored responsible, rational, effectuate illuminated Today, shredded own illogic, informs extent, outside reject unwarranted invasion realm "I decline interfere chosen enforce [its] laws" surfaces. 80 syllabus constitutes Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, L.Ed. 499. Code 26-1101 "murder" "(a) commits unlawfully malice aforethought, express implied, causes being. Express deliberate fellow creature, external capable proof. Malice shall implied provocation appears, show malignant heart. "(b) commission felony being, irrespective malice." considerably objectively measurable "(1) felony, history assaultive "(2) offender engaged burglary arson degree. "(3) knowingly public device normally hazardous lives person. "(4) another, purpose receiving money thing monetary value. "(5) judicial former district attorney solicitor exercise official "(6) agent employee "(8) against peace corrections fireman duties. "(9) in, escaped from, lawful custody confinement. "(10) avoiding, with, preventing arrest confinement, another." 27-2534.1(b) 540, 386, 391 encompassing "substantial convictions" "sufficiently 'clear standards.' According separated violent behavior. previous hospitalized drinking problem. Another list activity. Coley 231 829, 834, 204 612, 615 253, 2967 Woodson North Carolina, 280, 303, 2978, 2991, 944 106-107, 480 Hill 794, 802, 229 737, 742-743 318, 740 2938. Since Blake, summarily challenges See, e. g., Baker 711-712, 257 192, 193-194 Collins 291, 294, 729, 732 Johnson 649, 651, 250 S.Ed.2d 394, 397-398 Lamb 10, 15, 59, strong structure "Aggravated term statutes. 26-1305 states: "A maliciously bodily harm depriving body, rendering useless, seriously thereof." definition occasion treated controlling 317, 740, 1. note, sense. Thomas Stanley 341, Dix 238 209, 248 rested intimate basis. States, multiple such. irrelevant used rifle gruesome spectacle trailer. An include scenes totally irrational. My mischaracterize suggesting "majority disagrees" "facts (b)(7)." Post, 449. finding. vagueness, universe comprehends impermissibly large, leaving decisionmaker intolerable caprice. provides, pertinent part: "applie[s] entirety," post, 448, husband wife. gunshot wounds. sustained wounds ear blows tomahawk. stabbed severed died. omitted deaths occurred. "by dictum omission vague, instructions Apparently, then, fell 11, infra. Green 442 2150, 738 Presnell 439 14, 235, 207 Bell 637, 2977, 1010 Downs 909, 3183, 1153 Shelton 3133, Woods Roberts 3134, 1154 Arizona, 911, 3138, 1157 Coker 433 584, 2861, 982 Eberheart 917, 2994, 1104 Hooks 393 Davis 122, 399, 339 generally Professor Dix's study Texas 1976 demonstrates "objective standards" achieved probably achieve, concludes "mandate pursuit goal." Geo.L.J., 161. April 1980, 40% Negroes. NAACP Legal Defense Educational Fund, Death Row, U. S. A., (Apr. 1980). Department Justice, Capital Punishment 1978, 25-30 249-257, 2731-2735, (1972) (Douglas, A. 1980) (642 people row); p. (445 December 31, 1978). concurred largely infrequently contribution goals punishment. petitioners handful 2762. justice." 2764. equally valid C. Black, Punishment: Inevitability Caprice Mistake Due Process Death: Companion Cases, Cath.U.L.Rev. grounds recommend Although disapproval solely reverse 4, Willis 185, 70, 885, 178, 116 192 Legare 744, 247, 984, 491, 413 261, 249 rev'd Young 53, 434 1002, 648, 499 Gaddis 594 1088, 1285, 794 804, 241, Jarrell 410, 216 258 (1975), Floyd 810 949, 2667, 266 3221, 1217 extraordinarily whenever suffered pain prospect Campbell 352, 828 882, 218, 194 960, 492, 320 enable determine: Whether factor, Whether, treason aircraft hijacking, enumerated 27-2534.1(b), considering defendant." 27-2537(c) 16, "[a]n irrational" "victims instantaneously" makes gruesomeness ignores indisputable truth "instantaneously"; contemplate impending assuming stark contemplation. importantly, obvious correlation battery," Mere gruesomeness, sure, serve establish fares sufficiently indicator signal distinct investigation, notes undermines complete 426, 432. observe text, entirety circumscribed jurors. event, argue 76. filled physically tortured murders. supportive position undermined itself. developed "criteria" approves. Surely developing keeping latest birth place. Yet recognize inescapable convictions matched comments, formed binding duty determinations. troubled presumably, defining definitions provided applied. obtain apart showing—absent here—that unequivocal legislative mandate. six owing rising significance. (relevant improperly excluded hearing); (Georgia erred underlying rape tried convicted); (1977) (under rapist murder); (same ); (1976) prospective juror Witherspoon Illinois, 510, 88 1770, 776 (1968)). Spraggins 73, 620 (affirming stab disembowelment) pending, 79-5032; (reversing mind") (case below) mutilation); 394 women); Morgan 485, 246 198 blindfolded begging life) 441 967, 2418, 1073 Ward 205, stabbing ended sentence; disproportionate); effected thrown bridge), beating, strangling, victim); beg life), victims), 149, 668 rape), vacated, indication depraved murderer. finely tuned calibrator depravity, demarcating watching world various gradations dementia lead men women kill neighbors. duties, better statutorily mission. willing supplant reconsider

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