Document: 461 U.S. 230 103 S.Ct. 1736 75 L.Ed.2d 806 ALABAMAv.John Louis EVANS, III.No. A-858. April 22, 1983. PER CURIAM. 1 This matter was presented to Justice POWELL on the morning of 1983, an application for order vacating a stay execution, and by him referred Court. It is helpful review briefly sequence events that preceded this application. 2 On 8, Alabama Supreme Court ordered respondent John Evans, III, be executed at 12:01 a.m., Central Standard Time. 20, filed petition here writ certiorari execution addressed as Circuit Justice. At approximately 5:45 p.m., Eastern Time, 21, POWELL, acting in his capacity Justice, with concurrence six other Members Court, denied respondent's pending disposition (See Order 1983 (POWELL, J., Chambers) --- ----, ----) 3 5:23 CST, habeas corpus District Southern Alabama. 9:30 stating "the time available does not permit make meaningful or study," temporarily stayed execution. The State sought from Appeals Eleventh stay. 12:25 EST, court motion, "[b]ased upon telephonic oral presentation both parties we are unable conclude Judge has abused discretion granting temporary . ." Pursuant law, warrant carry out expires 11:59 4 seeks Court's Respondent response opposition State's 5 POWELL'S denying described lengthy proceedings have followed conviction death sentence first-degree murder committed during course robbery 1977. exhausted way direct appeal 1979. He also had claims heard second new sentencing hearing. In sum, "constitutional challenges Alabama's capital-sentencing procedures been reviewed exhaustively repetitively several courts state federal systems." Chambers). 6 Following brief hearing evening found "counsel petitioner conceded all issues raised were previously before [the United States Court] except issue asserted section 12 petition." Thus, latest case, but one grounds rejected. 7 now claim applied statutory aggravating factor unconstitutionally broad manner. trial numerous prior occasions "knowingly created great risk many persons. By Mr. Evans' testimony, he involved thirty armed robberies nine kidnappings [co-defendant] Ritter, further 250 associating Ritter." 361 So.2d 654, 663 (Ala.Cr.App.1977). contends construing encompass acts involving offense which guilty, construed statute 8 appear challenge any case. Nor existence made known papers denial thus first corpus, seven hours scheduled His only justification raising that, view, decision Proffitt v. Wainwright, 685 F.2d 1227, 1265-1266 (CA11), decided September 1982, some months ago, changed applicable law. Proffitt, however, address question whether particular may unrelated capital itself. case applies principle established Godfrey Georgia, 446 420, 100 1759, 64 398 (1980), factors must nonarbitrary facts there no violation finding circumstance. proper under courts. After carefully reviewing record, Criminal Appeals, sustaining sentence, stated: "The circumstances averred proved trial, determined judge public hearing, required addition, weighed mitigating independently." So.2d, 662. 9 Respondent's litigate conclusively resolved never raised. claim, challenging validity exist law required. For reasons stated above, without merit.* Accordingly, dissolve vacate granted. 10 BRENNAN would deny Chief BURGER, concurring: 11 I agree action entered Emmett Cox, Mobile, Cox 21 due absence William B. Hand who acted judicial business. Far being hasty action, over past years, less than 14 appellate judges 13 judges, see Hopper 102 2049, 72 367 (1982). falls within familiar* pattern literal "eleventh hour" efforts frustrate decrees after careful painstaking consideration period years. more open consider about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, counsel failed present relief period. late hour could long thrust previous contact fully familiar records case; wholly merit appropriately vacates granted yesterday. MARSHALL, dissenting. 15 recognized power "should exercised greatest caution should reserved exceptional circumstances." Holzman Schlesinger, 414 1304, 1308, 94 1, 4, 38 18 (MARSHALL, chambers). Exercise where record demonstrates grant clearly abuse discretion. Brown Chote, 411 452, 457, 93 1732, 1735, 36 420 (1973). 16 basis us, am frankly loss comprehend how majority can conclude, matter, its erred declining Evans claimed proportional crime light sentences received defendants Alabama, gave construction based. Although considered district court, relevant since earlier decision, Pulley Harris, 692 1189 (CA9), cert. granted, 1425, 74 ---- (1983), decisions firmly establish prisoner relitigate constitutional "upon showing intervening change law." Sanders States, 373 17, 83 1068, 1078, 148 (1963). finds support 17 concluded available" did "permit [the] study" necessary decide merits. 4. Under these circumstances, it completely afford opportunity indeed unconstitutional.* As Harlan once stated, when presents even if "grave doubt prisoner] substantial question." Edwards New York, 76 538 (1956) (in today particularly indefensible view fact respond supplementary done nothing serve those papers, today, placing copy mail. obviously will until too late. 19 "It important allow human lives snuffed sure—emphatically sure—that act Rosenberg 346 273, 321, 73 1152, 1177, 97 L.Ed. 1607 (1953) (Douglas, dissenting). merits ensure such certainty achieved. 20 dissent. world come end least Monday, hold * kind, normally find substantive understand difficult situation petition. Apparently notice, same time. No explanation offered timing applications. See Brooks Estelle, 1490, (1982) Mitchell Lawrence (Coppola), 1394 us affected Powell, filing No. 82-6581 (A-848). standard governing entirely different lower court. A "a reasonable probability four members review." Id., ----. stay, Powell probability. That determination bearing Since "imports expression opinion case," House Mayo, 324 42, 48, 65 517, 521, 89 739 (1945), certainly conclusion likewise

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