Document: 481 U.S. 393 107 S.Ct. 1821 95 L.Ed.2d 347 James Ernest HITCHCOCK, Petitionerv.Richard L. DUGGER, Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections. No. 85-6756. Argued Oct. 15, 1986. Decided April 22, 1987. Opinion on remand, 832 F.2d 140. Syllabus Petitioner was convicted first-degree murder and sentenced to death in a separate postconviction proceeding. In that proceeding, the trial judge instructed advisory jury not consider, himself refused evidence mitigating circumstances specifically enumerated penalty statute. Following unsuccessful appeals state federal collateral proceedings, petitioner filed an application for writ habeas corpus Federal District Court, claiming sentencing had been precluded by law from considering nonstatutory circumstances. The Court denied application, Appeals affirmed. Held: proceedings did comport with requirement sentencer may neither refuse consider nor be any relevant evidence. Skipper v. South Carolina, 476 1, 106 1669, 90 1; Eddings Oklahoma, 455 104, 102 869, 71 Lockett Ohio, 438 586, 98 2954, 57 973. Under this case, petitioner's sentence cannot stand. Pp. 395-399. 770 1514 (CA 11 1985), reversed remanded. SCALIA, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Craig S. Barnard, West Palm Beach, Fla., petitioner. Sean Daly, Daytona respondent. Justice SCALIA 1 We have held capital cases, " 'the sentencer' or 'be considering' 4, 1671, (1986) (quoting 114, 876, (1982)). See also 604, 2964, 973 (1978) (plurality opinion). Certiorari granted present case contention he under statute operated manner inconsistent requirement.1 1168, 2888, 976 (1986). 2 * On July 31, 1976, 13-year-old Cynthia Driggers strangled death. At time murder, both resided Richard Hitchcock, who Cynthia's stepfather brother. initially confessed stating killed after she threatened tell her parents engaged consensual sexual intercourse. his however, recanted testified it brother murdered Cynthia, finding out about State contended sexually assaulted then avoid discovery. 3 After United States Middle Florida. He argued, among other things, certain introduced, additional withheld counsel reasonable belief could considered without granting evidentiary hearing. A panel Eleventh Circuit affirmed, 745 1332 (1984), affirmed en banc, (1985). This petition followed. II 4 claims were some before them. effect at (which has since amended various respects) provided determine whether those felonies should life imprisonment. Those typically jury, which heard "as matter court deem[ed] sentence." Fla.Stat. § 921.141(1) (1975). hearing evidence, render verdict determining "(a) [w]hether sufficient aggravating exist as [§ 921.141(5) ];2 (b) 921.141(6) ],3 outweigh found exist; (c) [b]ased these considerations, defendant [imprisonment] death." 921.141(2). weigh itself enter imprisonment If imposed death, required set forth writing its findings [t]hat ], there are insufficient circumstances, circumstances." 921.141(3). 5 argues that, sentenced, provisions authoritatively interpreted Supreme prohibit See, e.g., Cooper State, 336 So.2d 1133, 1139 (Fla.1976) ("The sole issue Section 921.141, Statutes (1975), is examine each itemized Evidence concerning matters [sic ] no place proceeding . ."), cert. denied, 431 925, 97 2200, 53 239 (1977). Respondent contends misconstrued Cooper, pointing Court's subsequent decision Songer 365 696 (per curiam ), expressed view prohibited sentencers Because our examination actually conducted convinces us assumed such prohibition accordingly, we need reach question fact law. do note, judges conducting during roughly same period believed consideration least three sentences overturned reason. Wainwright, 769 1488 (CA11 1985) (en banc) pending, 85-567; Lucas 490 943, 946 (Fla.1986); Harvard 486 537 (Fla.) 479 863, 215, 93 144 note Legislature removed phrase [in statutory list]" requiring §§ 921.141(2)(b), (3)(b) 6 phase introduced child habit inhaling gasoline fumes automobile gas tanks; once passed doing so; thereafter mind tended wander; one seven children poor family earned living picking cotton; father died cancer; fond affectionate uncle brothers. Tr. Advisory Sentence 7-10. argument referred subject factual dispute, making inappropriate: youth (he 20 murder), innocence significant prior criminal activity violent behavior, difficult upbringing, potential rehabilitation, voluntary surrender authorities. Id., 13-17, 21-26. Although stressed first two related statute, told reaching "look overall picture. everything together. whole picture, ball wax." 50-52. contrast, prosecutor "to number," id., 28, went down list item item, arguing only (petitioner's youth) applicable. Before their deliberations, members would instruct them "on factors aggravation mitigation you law." 5. "[t]he shall following ." (listing circumstances). 56. 7 receiving jury's recommendation (by majority vote) despite take into account testimony background capacity "there [were] Statute Sentencing Proceedings (emphasis added). described process reached judgment follows: "In imprisonment, mandated apply facts 'aggravating' 'mitigating' 10 Record 195 circumstance youth. 197. 8 think clearer therefore requirements (1986), (1982), made attempt argue error harmless, judge. absence showing cases hold exclusion sort here renders invalid. Skipper, supra (evidence adapted well prison life); Eddings, 16-year-old defendant's troubled history emotional disturbance). As seeking impose upon petitioner, "provided does so through new permitted all available." supra, U.S., 8, S.Ct., 1673. 9 reverse remand Appeals. That instructions order corpus, unless within either resentences comports vacates imposes lesser consistent It ordered. claim discriminates against defendants whites black defendants, violation Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. invalid grounds, decline claim. today decide similar challenge Georgia death-penalty McCleskey Kemp, 279, 1756, 262. "shall limited following": crime committed while imprisonment; previously felony involving use threat violence; knowingly created great risk many persons; involved commission specified felonies; purpose avoiding arrest escaping custody; pecuniary gain; intended disrupt government enforcement laws; especially heinous, atrocious, cruel. activity; influence extreme mental disturbance; victim participated consented crime; merely accomplice whose participation relatively minor; acted duress domination; appreciate criminality conduct conform substantially impaired; age crime.

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