Document: 543 U.S. 440 HOWELL, AKA COXv.MISSISSIPPI No. 03-9560. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 29, 2004. Decided January 24, 2005. Petitioner appealed his capital murder conviction and death sentence, claiming, inter alia, that the trial court erred by failing to give a lesser-included-offense instruction on simple or manslaughter. The State affirmed. In granting certiorari, this asked parties address question whether petitioner properly raised in federal claim sentence is unconstitutional under Beck v. Alabama, 447 U. S. 625, 638. Held: Because did not raise Court, writ certiorari dismissed as improvidently granted. Petitioner's argument he presented citing state case, which cited another turn Beck, presents daisy chain too lengthy meet Court's standards for proper presentation claim. Nor was implication state-law rule similar constitutional articulated because are identical. Finally, even if requirement be prudential rather than jurisdictional, "the circumstances here justify no exception." Adams Robertson, 520 83, 90 (per curiam). Certiorari dismissed. Reported below: 860 So. 2d 704. CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI. Ronnie Monroe Mitchell argued cause petitioner. With him briefs were André de Gruy, Duncan Lott, William Odum Richardson, appointment 977. Jim Hood, Attorney General Mississippi, respondent. brief Judy Thomas Martin, Special Assistant General.* PER CURIAM. 1 Marlon Howell contends Mississippi courts violated rights Eighth Fourteenth Amendments States Constitution refusing require jury about lesser included offense case. He not, however, unsurprisingly it. As result, we dismiss 2 convicted sentenced killing Hugh David Pernell. Shortly after 5 a.m. May 15, 2000, Pernell delivering newspapers from car when occupants motioned stop. evidence at indicated that, both cars had pulled over, got out trailing approached driver's side Pernell's car. After conversation perhaps some kind scuffle, pistol, shot through heart, back other car, fled scene. See 704, 712-715, 738-739 (Miss. 2003). At trial, city time insufficient prove killed during an attempted robbery (which would deprive element murder). part nonalibi defense, sought supplement State's proposed with instructions manslaughter murder. refused additional instructions. found guilty separately concluded should death. 3 On appeal one petitioner's 28 claims error court's failure "to defendant manslaughter." App. 39. argument, three cases instructions, only opinion whose original language quoted noncapital Ibid. (quoting, modifications, Conner State, 632 1239, 1254 1993) (a case), quoting McGowan 541 1027, 1028 1989) Harper 478 1017, 1021 1985) case)). "could have returned manslaughter," those offenses "error" left "choice but either [him] loose convict [c]apital [m]urder." 40. course affirming "[t]he facts case clearly do support warrant" 2d, 744. prior decision, construed statute it "`ignore primary charge'" "`if does submission lesser-included offense.'" (quoting Presley 321 309, 310-311 1975)). also Grace 375 419 1979), aggravated-assault rejecting assault. 4 arguing our jurisprudence set forth 638 (1980) ("[I]f unavailability enhances risk unwarranted conviction, [the State] constitutionally prohibited withdrawing option case"). Pet. Cert. 5. We granted following question: "`Was before purposes C. § 1257?'" 542 936 (2004). Our answer prevents us reaching Congress has given power review "[f]inal judgments decrees rendered highest decision could ... where any right specially up claimed treaties statutes States." 1257(a) (emphasis added). Under its predecessors, almost unfailingly consider federal-law challenge state-court unless "was addressed been review." 86 (1997) curiam); see Illinois Gates, 462 213, 218 (1983) (tracing principle Crowell Randell, 10 368, 392 (1836), Owings Norwood's Lessee, Cranch 344 (1809)). 6 present arising law.1 relevant cite directly construing it, much less cases. Instead, argues Harveston 493 365 1986), (among cases) Fairchild 459 793 1984), way acknowledging Mississippi's general requiring "takes proportions" 800. Assuming constituted adequate briefing standards, — depends upon claim.2 recently explained slightly different context, "[a] litigant wishing issue can easily indicate law basis petition conjunction source relies deciding such grounds, simply labeling `federal.'" Baldwin Reese, 27, 32 context 1257, same steps toward clarity just easy take generally necessary establish court. none these things. 7 relied "identical," Tr. Oral Arg. 17, "virtually identical," Brief 17-18, Beck. Assuming, without deciding, identical might overcome identify federal, regarding least interpretation applies choosing between acquittal hand, holds inapplicable life imprisonment, Jackson 684 1213, 1228 (1996) conclusion finds cases, Hopkins Reeves, 524 88, 98 (1998) ("In penalty automatically tied Beck's told charged offense, required impose penalty"); Schad Arizona, 501 624, 646 (1991) ("Our fundamental concern vote alternative free punishment all"). Moreover, unlike S., 638, n. 14, (as shown cite). Thus, appears treated distinct rule. Goodin 787 639, 656 (2001) ("Having [federal] flaws given, must now determine practice entitles instruction. held there evidentiary grant manslaughter"). 8 suggests need treat jurisdictional. Reply 4, 1. Notwithstanding long line stating see, e.g., Exxon Corp. Eagerton, 176, 181, (1983); Cardinale Louisiana, 394 437, 438-439 (1969) (citing cases), handful exceptions (discussed 219) previously led conclude "an unsettled question." Bankers Life & Casualty Co. Crenshaw, 486 71, 79 (1988). decide today "whether jurisdictional prudential, treating purely Adams, (citations omitted); accord, Yee Escondido, 503 519, 533 (1992); Life, supra, 79; Heath 474 82, 87 (1985); 222.3 9 Accordingly, It so ordered. Notes: * Kent Scheidegger filed Criminal Justice Legal Foundation amicus curiae. actually claim, "had opportunity address" 19 See,e. g., 89, curiam) (concluding "passing invocations `due process'" "fail Federal relying Amendment" "meet minimal clear presented"); Webb Webb, 451 493, 496 (1981) (finding reference "full faith credit" it); New York Central R. York, 186 269, 273 (1902) ("[I]t well settled made appear provision Federal, distinguished state, upon, forth"); Oxley Stave Butler County, 166 648, 655 (1897) party's intent invoke "unmistakably" declared, statutory met purpose party assert mere inference"). InThree Affiliated Tribes Fort Berthold Reservation Wold Engineering, P. C., 476 877, 883 (1986), chose reach two reasons here: objection question, remanded grounds.

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