Document: 483 U.S. 66 107 S.Ct. 2716 97 L.Ed.2d 56 George SUMNER, Director, Nevada Department of Prisons, et al., Petitionersv.Raymond Wallace SHUMAN. No. 86-246. Argued April 20, 1987. Decided June 22, Syllabus While serving a life sentence without possibility parole upon first-degree murder conviction, respondent was convicted the capital fellow prisoner and sentenced to death under statute mandating penalty in these circumstances. The State Supreme Court affirmed respondent's conviction sentence. Federal District Court, habeas corpus proceeding, vacated sentence, holding that mandatory capital-punishment violated Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. Appeals affirmed. Held: 1. Under individualized capital-sentencing doctrine, it is constitutionally required sentencing authority consider, as mitigating factor, any aspect defendant's character or record circumstances particular offense. Pp. 70-76. 2. A mandates for prison inmate who while violates 77-85. 791 F.2d 788 (CA 9 1986) BLACKMUN, J., delivered opinion which BRENNAN, MARSHALL, POWELL, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. WHITE, filed dissenting opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., SCALIA, joined, post, p. 86. D. Brian McKay, Carson City, Nev., petitioners. M. Daniel Markoff, respondent. Justice BLACKMUN Court. 1 This case presents question whether comports with 2 * In 1958, Raymond Shuman state court shooting truckdriver during roadside robbery. He imprisonment § 200.030 Nev.Rev.Stat., at time provided jury options parole. See 1957 Nev.Stats., ch. 238. 1975, his killing inmate. Pursuant revised version then effect, Shuman's mandated he be death.1 imposition penalty. It specifically rejected claims error, including objection rights v. State, 94 Nev. 265, 578 P.2d 1183 (1978). 3 unsuccessfully pursued challenge petition. After exhausting remedies, petition seeking relief 28 U.S.C. 2254. all except constitutionality mandatorily imposed Wolff, 571 F.Supp. 213 (Nev.1983). 4 acknowledged several cases this had reserved judgment on may justified an murder. Id., 216. reasoned, however, rule set forth Eddings Oklahoma, 455 104, 102 869, 71 (1982), authorities permitted consider relevant circumstance their decision, invalid. F.Supp., 216-218. found availability nonmandatory sufficient deterrent life-term inmates making "only serves give air arbitrariness caprice." 217. held 200.030.1(b) effect therefore Amendments, ordered vacated. noted, not foreclosed from initiating completing "lawful resentencing proceedings." 218. 5 United States Ninth Circuit Court's judgment. (1986). That also noted we left open type issue case, see id., 792, but discounted what perceived two possible rationales justifying kind. first argument adequate consideration. reasoned fact did render unnecessary deciding him death. identified possibly circumstances, such conduct led "age mental emotional defendant, provocation killing, pressure other inmates, defendant since offense." 795. 6 necessary inmates. Ibid. punishment exists statutes provide determinations. closing, voiced its agreement New York " 'mandatory simply cannot reconciled scrupulous care legal system demands insure fits individual crime.' 796, quoting People Smith, 63 N.Y.2d 41, 78, 468 N.E.2d 879, 897 (1984), cert. denied, 469 1227, 105 1226, 84 364 (1985). 7 We granted certiorari, 479 948, 431, 95 ---- (1986), resolve imposed, pursuant statutory procedure, II A. 8 force four years. enacted shortly after decision Furman Georgia, 408 238, 92 2726, 33 346 (1972) (per curiam ), repealed soon decisions Gregg 428 153, 96 2909, 49 859 (1976), Woodson North Carolina, 280, 2978, 944 (1976). Prior Furman, that, person murder, fix imprisonment, parole, persons already 1967 523, 438, 1470. no guidance about how make what, if any, factors consider. invalidated because conclusion permitting juries absolute discretion determination resulted penalty's being arbitrarily capriciously violation On May 3, 1973, less than year Legislature replaced unguided-discretion one created category "capital murder." new list situations, which, exist conjunction would those offenses. n. 1, supra. legislature explained statute's preamble intended prevent arbitrary capricious 1973 798, 1801. 10 Nevada's adoption mandatory-sentencing scheme represented responses various decision. Although every abandoned procedures prior they proved unsatisfactory, U.S., 291-292, S.Ct., 2985-86 (plurality opinion), some States, Nevada, Furman. Those read opinions supporting signal avoid pitfalls unguided discretionary procedures. 298-299, 2988 opinion); Roberts (Stanislaus) Louisiana, 325, 328-329, 331, 3001, 3003-04, 3005, 974 (1976) opinion). 413, 2815 (dissenting where alternative forecast). Other maintained sentencing, narrowed offenses could applied, bifurcated trial separate determine appropriateness case. See, e.g., 162-168, 2920-22 (opinion Stewart, JJ.). occasions has recognized differing uncertain law following 2988-89 Lockett Ohio, 438 586, 599-600, 98 2954, 2961-62, 57 973 11 1976 addressing five post-Furman much clarify standards must met facially constitutional. explaining why guided-discretion Florida, Texas were valid, Carolina Louisiana not, relied significant degree unique nature heightened reliability demanded by Amendment appropriate 189-195, 2932-35 JJ.); Proffitt 242, 252-253, 2960, 2966-67, 913 (same); Jurek Texas, 262, 271-272, 2950, 2956, 929 303-305, 2990-91 333-335, 3006-07 principal established cases, "it have information enable sentence." 189-190, 38, 2933, 38 (emphasis added); also, 304, 2991. 12 decisions, similar Georgia legislation upheld Gregg. 1977 430, 82, 864; 585, §§ 1-10, pp. 1541-1545. repeal consistent nationwide trend legislative judicial invalidation statutes.2 B 13 important examine once again establishment doctrine issued development ensuing decade, before determining exception present each death-penalty decided 1976, rested joint Justices POWELL STEVENS. opinions, reflecting views only Members vote support judgments, drew critical line between survive constitutional scrutiny not. three upholding statutes, emphasized schemes pertaining offense range individual. 197, 206, 2936, 2940; 251-252, 2966; 270-271, 2955-56. striking down unconstitutional stressed fatal flaws failure permit presentation consideration authority. 2990-91; 333-334, 3006-07. 14 explained: "While reasonably expected increase number death, does fulfill basic requirement replacing wanton objective guide, regularize, rationally reviewable process imposing death." 303, 2990-91. shortcomings procedure forth: 15 "A accords significance facets offender excludes fixing ultimate compassionate stemming diverse frailties humankind. treats designated uniquely human beings, members faceless, undifferentiated mass subjected blind infliction 16 went specify unlike individualized-sentencing noncapital matter policy, significance: 17 prevailing practice individualizing determinations generally reflects enlightened policy rather imperative, believe fundamental respect humanity underlying . requires indispensable part inflicting Ibid.3 18 mandate proceedings continued guide review decade. invalidate another Louisiana's year. (Harry) 431 633, 637, 1993, 1995, 52 637 (1977) curiam). impact our authority's been restrained manner. Beginning (1978), plurality order meaning "as 604, 2965 original). majority accepted plurality's approach. Not require evidence, "Lockett sentencer listen" evidence. 115, 10, 877, 10.4 Finally, earlier Term, Hitchcock Dugger, 481 393, 1821, 347 (1987), unanimous vote, "the advisory instructed judge refused evidence nonstatutory circumstances." 398-399, 1824. unequivocally rulings Amendments 394 1822 1824.5 III 19 above explication current status itself appear presented here applies situation statute. declined applied withstand scrutiny, noting perhaps "extrem[e] narrow[ness]" statute, 287, 7, 2983, deterrence concern, 186, 2931 (joint 11, 2964, unnecessary. 334, 9, 3006, 5, 5.6 places squarely us, conclude departure 20 precluded Redefining specifying committed revealed facts respondent—(1) prison, (2) criminal committed, yielded These elements verdict guilty rendered guilty, remained do enter impose foregone conclusion. 21 basis sanction reflect existed lessened responsibility acts even though stand defense charge. level vary according extent individual's participation crime. Tison Arizona, 137, 1676, 127 (1987); Enmund 458 782, 3368, 73 1140 (1982). Just offender's involvement routine crime varies, so too can violent incident.7 An inmate's years involved.8 22 simple contribute significantly profile purposes should received nor surrounding participation. At authorized offenders 6-8, 1804-1805 (authorizing kidnaping, rape, battery substantial bodily harm). Past convictions considered valid aggravating factor deserves later inferences drawn concerning moral culpability depending past widely well. Without predicate commission offense, label "life-term inmate" reveals little character. Even primary incident, nontriggerman like Shuman, both character.9 Yet are given same weight—a weight deemed outweigh combination 23 incorporated serve incomplete indicators record, say nothing "[c]ircumstances youth offender, influence drugs, alcohol, extreme disturbance, existence believed justification conduct." 1995. likely find behavior incarceration, isolated incident merely most recent long incidents. There reason listed statute10 equally applicable Hence, "create[d] risk w[ould] spite call severe penalty." 605, 2965. 24 deterrent. immune provides undermine threat have. deserve die will condemned 25 weakened country currently operating 2, saw fit specific decade ago seriously undermines petitioners' contention Close points up there distinguishing, deterrence, sentences years, total exceeds normal expectancy. 26 reject proposition State's retribution interests. available parole.11 Again, evade reaches conclusion, consideration, merits execution State.12 Moreover, sanctions terms confinement limited further, through transfer more restrictive custody correctional facility deprivation privileges work socialization. event, interests characterized "[s]ociety's legitimate desire strong played minor role convicted." Skipper South Car- olina, 476 13, 106 1669, 1675-1676, 90 (1986) concurring judgment). decide able justify lesser sentence.13 IV 27 sum, satisfied fully use ensures adherence Having reached unanimity decline depart today. agree courts below comport 29 ordered. whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE SCALIA join, dissenting. 30 Today holds prohibits who, term murders reasons Constitution afforded opportunity sentencer, and, reasoning, quite obviously assumes arise able, persuade my view, bar determining, class law, amount ever characterize incarcerated committing previous Accordingly, I dissent. 31 dissented death-sentencing involved cases. 358-363, 3017-19, (WHITE, joined Burger, dissenting); 306-307, 2992, But neither requiring defendants compel result Indeed, expressly repeatedly addressed supra, 9; (1977); (1978); McCleskey Kemp, 279, 26, 1756, 1773, 262 signaling clearly rationale underpinning inexorably lead offend Constitution. Until today, never identifying especially aggravated exceedingly narrow stands convicted, social factors, short actual charged, warrant reduction thus accept majority's assertion "[t]he charge." Ante, 78—79. legally responsible actions, is, meritorious relieving responsibility, has, right essentially taking another, guard 32 kind commits still subject ante, 82-83. commit sentencers imposed. assumption them succeed, thereby inevitably lessening As it, violate maintaining full insisting escape amended times. pertinent follows: "1. Capital perpetrated by: "(b) "5. Every shall punished 1803-1804. slight modification, 1975 740, 1580, until 1977. year, hearing. version, current, least Nev.Rev.Stat. 200.030.4(a) One when "committed imprisonment." 200.033.1. authority, circumstance. 200.035, infra. Respondent's took place 4-year period law. Nine eleven 1970's, enactment. Ala.Code 13-1-75 (1975), Ala.Acts, Act 607, 9901, provision 13A-5-39 13A-5-59 (1982 Supp.1986); Cal.Stats., 719, 316, 21-26, 1264-1266, Cal.Penal Code Ann. 4500 (West Supp.1987); Ind.Code 10-3401(b)(6)(iv) (Burns Supp.1975), 35-50-2-3 35-50-2-9 (1985 La.Rev.Stat.Ann. 14:30(3) 1951, Supp.1974), La.Acts, 657, 14:30 1986); 1974 Miss.Gen.Laws, 576, 867, Miss.Code 97-3-19, 97-3-21, 99-19-101, 99-19-103, 99-19-105, 99-19-107 (Supp.1986); 1803-1804, (1985); Okla.Sess.Laws, 167, 240-241, 1st Extr.Sess., 630, Okla.Stat., Tit. 21, 701.7, 701.9 701.15 (1981 Va.Code 18.2-10(a), 18.2-31(c) 18.2-10(a) 19.2-264.2 19.2-264.3 (1983); Wyo.Stat. 6-54(b)(v) (Supp.1975), 6-2-101 6-2-103 (1983). struck courts. N.Y.S.2d 706, 879 Cline, 121 R.I. 299, 397 A.2d 1309 (1979); Graham Superior City County San Francisco, Cal.App.3d 880, 160 Cal.Rptr. (1979) (invalidating subsequently legislature); generally, Acker, Mandatory Punishment Life Term Inmate Who Commits Murder: Judgments Fact Value Law Social Science, England J.Crim. & Civ.Confinement 267, 272, 16, 287-289, 45 (1985) (Acker). evident litigation affected Alabama individuals procedure. Brief Johnny Harris Donald Thigpen Amici Curiae rejecting narrowly Woodson, emphasized: "The futility attempting solve problems narrowing scope stems society's rejection belief 'every calls identical regard habits offender.' 333, Williams York, 337 241, 247, 69 1079, 1083, 93 L.Ed. 1337 (1949). concurring, concluded reasoning compels remand 'risk penalty.' 119, Lockett, reinforced "would 'mitigating' sense [it] might 'as death.' 4-5, 1671, principle. California Brown, 538, 541, 837, 839-40, 934 (1987) (noting central principles jurisprudence 'constitutionally death,' 2991, (1976)); 545, 839 (concurring opinion) ("Lockett directly related personal defendant. Thus, stage response background, character, crime") Acceptance language used reserving "imports leaving open," Petitioners course defeat entire purpose deferring resolution issue. Petitioners' attempt expressed intent leave inappropriate very focus today examples prudent approach doctrine. Compare 187, 35, 2931, (reserving rape victim), Coker 433 584, 2861, 53 982 (declaring disproportionate adult); compare 305, 40, 40 scene robbery shootings convicted), (1982) (death unless killed, attempted kill, lethal used), proportionate major participant felony combined reckless indifference life). variety surround illustrated examining burning flammable liquid. 1183, 1184 apparently fight opening window near cells. 352 So.2d 460 (Ala.Crim.App.1976), aff'd, (Ala.1977), denial writ error coram nobis 367 524 (Ala.Crim.App.1978), Ex parte Harris, 534 (Ala.1979), occurred uprising. denied participating stabbing claimed coerced into uprising feared life. affirmance Chief Torbert inadequacy [the procedure] accentuated ., riot Though constitute crime, mitigate against penalty, procedure." So.2d, 488. 355 392 (Ala.Crim.App.), 400 372 385 Thigpen, 387 444 1026, 100 690, 62 660 (1980), outside environment. farmer, participated, using fencepost. 395. 310 ("Prison contract-like killings, victim-precipitated homicides, retaliation homosexual assault, slaying officers riots") 84. Board Prison Commissioners recognizes involve responsibility. Prisons' Penal Discipline, yields typical disciplinary segregation placed "low section," "medium "high section." App. Post-argument Letter 14, 1987, Respondent, Exh. I, 26-27. explains: section based mitigation aggravation." 25. merit instead Mandating different produce odd riot's culpable participant's accorded harsh For example, Harris' Jones thought overlooked "[w]hatever Harris's avowed ring leader affray prisoner. implicated beginning end witnesses testified. His prison." 497. confession 1958 co-defendant, Melvin Rowland, Rowland shot car. 788, 789 (CA9 1986). 526, pleas charges charge rape. Apparently, classified 532. S. Minor-Harper L. Greenfeld, Bureau Statistics, Special Report, Admissions Releases, 1982, Table (reflecting over 35% 1982 murder). reads: "Murder mitigated reduce crime: history activity. "2. disturbance. "3. victim consented act. "4. accomplice relatively minor. acted duress domination person. "6. "7. Any circumstance." 200.035 sake argument, premise analysis purportedly Shuman. Thigpen's obvious withdraw possibility. discovered oral meaningful well "life parole" ultimately mean seems say. Tr. Oral Arg. 30-38. request submitted public records reveal 19, Pardons commuted Rowland's Postargument August 1977, Parole B. paroled. F. Five others release remains realistic hope them. suggest program appropriate; indicate, prison's rehabilitative efforts yield positive results. Nevertheless, somewhat misleading, confusing, argue real punish action incarcerated. 321-324, 289, 46 (most expectation parole). experience suggests 17-18, (data indicating periods Elimination eliminates problem nullification known schemes. 293, 294, 29, 2985, 2986, If knows automatically convicts charge, disregard instructions guilt acquittal included believes manner punishing execution. undeserved result. manslaughter, convict greater jurors means punishment. upheld, trials problems. Bifurcating guilt-determination phase tends concerns infecting deliberations other.

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