Document: 112 S.Ct. 2114 504 U.S. 527 119 L.Ed.2d 326 Dennis SOCHOR, Petitionerv.FLORIDA. No. 91-5843. Argued March 2, 1992. Decided June 8, Syllabus After a Florida jury found petitioner Sochor guilty of capital murder, the was instructed at penalty hearing on possibility finding four aggravating factors, including State's "heinousness" and "coldness" factors. The also charged with weighing any mitigating circumstances it might find against ones in reaching an advisory verdict as to whether Sochor's sentence should be life imprisonment or death. jury's recommendation death adopted by trial court, which all defined instructions no circumstances. State Supreme Court held, among other things, that question instruction heinousness factor unconstitutionally vague had been waived for failure object. court held evidence failed support judge's coldness factor, but nevertheless affirmed sentence. Held: 1. application did not result reversible error. Pp. 532-537. (a) In like Florida, Eighth Amendment error occurs when sentencer weighs "invalid" decision impose See Clemons v. Mississippi, 494 738, 752, 110 1441, 1450, 108 725. While federal law does require state appellate reviewing such remand resentencing, must, short remand, either itself reweigh without invalid determine harmless See, e.g., Parker Dugger, 498 ----, 111 731, 812. P. 532. (b) This lacks jurisdiction address claim vague. indicated requisite clarity its rejection based alternative ground, see, Michigan Long, 463 1032, 1041, 103 3469, 3476, 77 1201, has said nothing persuade this ground is adequate independent, see Herb Pitcairn, 324 117, 125-126, 65 459, 462-463, 89 L.Ed. 789. 533-534. (c) No violation occurred judge weighed factor. Although Court's recent decisions may have evinced inconsistent overbroad constructions leave judges sufficient guidance factual situations, consistently properly where, here, defendant strangled conscious victim. Under Walton Arizona, 497 639, 3047, 511, must presumed case hand familiar body law, which, minimum, gave "some guidance," ibid. requires. 535-537. 2. constituted went uncorrected Court. 538-541. "weighed" rejected. Because, under reveal factors relies, cannot known actually relied here. will presume general rests support. Griffin United States, 502 466, 116 371. 538. However, least constituent part "sentencer" purposes, there doubt case. Nor since unsupported evidence. Parker, supra, ----. 2122-2123. cure That generally independently. performing harmless-error analysis, opinion fails mention "harmless error" expressly refers quite different inquiry proportional, only one cases cited contained explicit language. 580 So.2d 595 (Fla.1991), vacated remanded. SOUTER, J., delivered Court, Part I unanimous, Parts II-A II-B were joined REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, THOMAS, JJ., III-A III-B-1 BLACKMUN, STEVENS, III-B-2 IV JJ. filed concurring opinion. dissenting part, WHITE joined. part. Gary Caldwell, West Palm Beach, petitioner. Miss Carolyn M. Snurkowski, Tallahassee, Fla., respondent. Justice SOUTER 1 after separate proceeding first two steps deciding his Fla.Stat. § 921.141(1) (1991). At close prosecution defense introduce, charges jurors weigh whatever they find, reach majority vote. 921.141(2). report specific findings circumstances, if, second sentencing step, decides upon death, he issue written statement finds. 921.141(3). A then subject automatic review Florida. 921.141(4). 2 sentenced so recommended, affirmed. We whether, claims, claims invalid, if so, cured holding harmless. answer yes second, therefore vacate judgment remand. 3 * On New Year's Eve, 1981, Petitioner met woman bar Broward County, tried rape her left together, resistance angered him point choking He indicted first-degree murder kidnaping and, trial, each offense. 4 hearing, offered, 5 "the crime especially wicked, evil, atrocious cruel, [that] committed cold, calculated premeditated manner, pretense moral legal justification." App. 326-327. 6 explained could certain statutory nonstatutory ones. By vote 10 recommended murder. recommendation, mitigation. 7 It declined reverse unconstitutional vagueness cruel" (hereinafter, brevity, "heinousness factor," statute's words "heinous, atrocious, cruel," 921.141(5)(h) (1991)). object lacking merit event. So.2d, 602-603, n. 10. rejected insufficient citing victim's extreme anxiety fear before she died. agree Sochor, however, . calculated, manner justification" (hereinafter factor), "heightened" degree premeditation shown Id., 603. notwithstanding error, saying that: 8 "[1] [W]e disagree disproportionate. [2] carefully lack concluded warranted. [3] Even removing still remain three [4] Striking are necessarily resentencing. Robinson State, 574 (Fla.1991); Holton 573 284 (Fla.1990); James 453 786 (Fla.), cert. denied, 469 1098 [105 608, 83 717] (1984); Francois 407 885 (Fla.1981), 458 1122 [102 3511, 73 1384] (1982). [5] case, comparison cases, we proportionate crime. E.g., Hitchcock 578 685 Tompkins [ 415 (Fla.1986), 483 1033, 107 3277, 97 781 (1987) ]; Doyle 460 353 (Fla.1984) ]." 604. 9 petitioned writ certiorari, raising questions. granted limited following two: (1) "Did Florida's [heinousness factor] violate Fourteenth Amendments?" (2) petitioner's Amendments where upheld even though on, applied, improper circumstance, [in that] conduct analysis effect use circumstance verdict?" Pet. Cert. ii; 436, 455 II ultimate 725 (1990). Employing process "creates randomness," Stringer Black, 503 1130, 1139, 117 367 (1992), placing "thumb [on] death's side scale," id., S.Ct., 1137, thus "creat[ing] risk [of] treat[ing] more deserving penalty," 1139. valid exist well, merely affirming reached deprives individualized treatment would from actual reweighing mix circumstances." Clemons, U.S., 1450 (citing Lockett Ohio, 438 586, 98 2954, 57 973 (1978), Eddings Oklahoma, 104, 102 869, 71 (1982)); 739, 812 738. A. 11 statute allows "[t]he felony heinous, cruel." argues definition vague, Maynard Cartwright, 486 356, 1853, 100 372 (1988); Godfrey Georgia, 446 420, 1759, 64 398 (1980), narrow meaning enough defect. goes sentence, because sentencer" sentencer's" elements. render wholly independent judgment, accord deference recommendation. Tedder 322 908, 910 (Fla.1975) (life verdict); Grossman 525 833, 839, (Fla.1988) (death verdict), 489 1071, 109 1354, 822 (1989). Hence, argument runs, stage taints otherwise free. Cf. Baldwin Alabama, 472 372, 382, 105 2727, 2733, 86 300 (1985). concedes seems argue cure. 12 faces hurdle, rule court's resolution 789 (1945), "indicates clearly expressly" holding, 1201 (1983); Harris Reed, 255, 264, 10, 1038, 1044, 308 (1989); Fox Film Corp. Muller, 296 207, 210, 56 183, 184, 80 158 (1935). 13 about unconstitutional: 14 "Sochor's next claim, regarding alleged errors instructions, likewise fail. None complained-of objected thus, preserved appeal. Vaught 410 147 (Fla.1982). event, here merit. reject discussion cruel improper. ." 15 quoted passage indicates "not appeal," us independent. hold ourselves authority factor.** ** STEVENS's conclusion do jurisdiction, post, 547-549, mistaken. First, suggestion pretrial motion objecting objection jury, 547, ignores settled procedure that, order preserve objection, party jury. 787, 795 (Fla.1983), 466 963, 104 2181, 563 Vazquez 518 1348, 1350 (Fla.App.1987); Walker 473 694, 697-698 (Fla.App.1985). exception advance request explicitly Heathcoat, 442 955, 957 (Fla.1983); Buford Wainwright, 428 1389, 1390 464 956, 78 331 De Parias 562 434, 435 (Fla.App.1990), gets benefit exception, never asked instruction. 16 Second, STEVENS states far providing plain procedurally barred, appeal, given further indication barred merits, albeit alternative." Post, 547-548 (citations internal quotation marks omitted). difficult comprehend why appeal" amount "a barred," reason believe kind note, infra. fact rested "in alternative" somehow save our jurisdiction. 533. 17 Third, suggests waived, implied implicate "fundamental error," turn "error," presumably constitutional (or claimed Sochor) automatically "fundamental." 548-549. To say most reasonable explanation," (1983), summary Olympic stretch, 274-276, 1049-1050, (1989) (KENNEDY, dissenting). know supporting Indeed, remain, instructional involving another Occhicone 570 902, 906 (Fla.1990), 501 2067, 114 471 18 Finally, independent-state-ground defense, 533, forgets waived. B 19 maintains same again judge, who both parties sentencer," himself. sure, acknowledges 511 (1990), impermissible vagueness, construed language narrowly prior ---- - 3075, 3076. authoritative construction, significant guidance. Ibid. nonetheless help subjected limitation construction 20 Dixon, 283 (1973), 416 943, 94 1950, 40 295 (1974), factor: 21 "It interpretation heinous means extremely wicked shockingly evil; outrageously vile; designed inflict high pain utter indifference to, enjoyment of, suffering others. What intended included those crimes commission accompanied additional acts set apart norm felonies—the conscienceless pitiless unnecessarily torturous victim." 9. 22 Understanding apply "conscienceless victim," Proffitt 242, 96 2960, 49 913 (1976), 255-256, 2968 (opinion Stewart, Powell, JJ.). 23 contends, post-Proffitt adhered Dixon stated Proffitt, instead evince And well confined discussions matter approved occasion continued invoke entire above, perhaps thinking all. Porter 564 1060 1024, 1106 (1991); Cherry 544 187 (Fla.1989), 1090, 1835, 963 (1990); Lucas 376 1149, 1153 (Fla.1979). 24 But however much troubling abstract, need trouble 685, 692-693 311, 254 284, 292 415, 421 (Fla.1986); Johnson 465 499, 507 474 865, 106 186, 88 155 (1985); Adams 412 850 459 882, 182, 74 148 Rhodes 547 1208 (Fla.1989) (strangulation semiconscious victim heinous); Herzog 439 1372 (Fla.1983) (same). Walton, 3057, "[some] Since requires more, infer responds fail how supports hand. 361-364, 1857-1859. III 25 26 complains consideration step being evidence; instant factor; third last purposes. fails, fatally flawed. Because If not, violation. Thus, implicitly allowed rely grounds, infirm, resulting infirm aside. Mills Maryland, 367, 376-377, 1860, 1866-1867, 384 cf. Stromberg California, 359, 368, 51 532, 535, 75 1117 (1931). Just Term, due theories, supported evidence, not. 371 reasoned although unlikely disregard theory flawed indeed likely option simply 474. reasoning accordingly decline 27 uncured 28 can start some points agreement. is, course, order. applied sense them 734. follows occur adequacy effort announced tainted harmlessness. 29 noted independently, 738 Hudson 538 829, 831 (Fla.) (per curiam ), 493 875, 212, 165 Brown 392 1327, 1331-1332 (Fla.1981) )), extent least, perception correct. argues, nonetheless, adequately analysis. relies excerpt particularly through fourth sentences, "declar[ing] belief that" "was beyond doubt" "did contribute [sentence] obtained." Chapman 386 18, 24, 87 824, 828, 705 (1967). This, apparent. Not Yates Evatt, 500 1884, 1893-1894, 432 (1991), sentences numbered five refer enquiry proportional. 30 tries counter deficiency arguing citation shorthand signal reviewed record well. citations come up short. Only contains giving performed 293 (Fla.1990) ("We doubt"). ambiguity. 31 mean particular formulaic courts their pass scrutiny, survives preferable allusions citation. stop these do, arguably substitute signifying 32 sum, explain "declare "it obtained," Chapman, taken stand existing review. proceedings 33 ordered. 34 concurring. 35 join write separately forth my understanding fulfill obligations meaningful reciting formula (1967), harmless, "beyond complained 828. justifiably standard, while uttering magic ante, 540, true. An bald assertion dimensions "harmless" principled explanation conclusion. example, hesitate detailed record" lower undertake "cryptic," one-sentence 753, 1451. proportionality acceptable 539-540, understand mere addition sufficed satisfy dictates Clemons. 36 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, whom THOMAS join, 37 rejecting violated rights. imposing Accordingly, I, II, III-A, III-B(1) dissent III-B(2) opinion, affirm below uphold 38 When invalidates remaining conducting As observes, practice independently Ante, 539-540. sustain words, imposed considered function required law. 1451; clear me conclusion, certainly justified facts 39 erred relying determining stated: "The (1982)." 595, 604 41 now holds indicate viewed true error." recite result. conducted focus solely phrases used convey thoughts. Whatever used, show elimination made difference 745-746, 42 am convinced above believed, doubt, presented demonstrates why. making determination, aggravator. absolutely zero penalty. later invalid. observed, aggravators balanced complete basis, resentencing unnecessary. invalidated having inclusion process. One ("Under likelihood outweighed doubt") (citation 542-543. 43 mind, stretch conclude saw what is—a paradigmatic example situation invalidation aggravator makes calculus. previously observed results removal scale." (1992). Precisely reason, perform seek invalidating this, thumbnail scale favor mitigation, adhere form demonstrate evident. eliminated process, absence absent outweigh cursorily, doubt. 44 omission root dissatisfaction it. likelihood, reimpose appending using talismanic phrase Form correspond substance, marginal justify supervise opinion-writing courts. below. 45 BLACKMUN joins, 46 certiorari consider questions.1 answers III-B 538-540, join. phase trial. 532-534. rather than today concludes failing avoid appraisal 47 There dispute prescribing so-called according nomenclature)2 (1988).3 "[t]o something 'especially heinous' individual just 'heinous,' means, ordinary person honestly every unjustified, intentional taking human heinous.' " 364, 1859 adopt limiting give sentencer, 360, 365, 1857, 1859; 653, Lewis Jeffers, 764, 778-779, 3092, 606 428, 1764, (1980) (plurality opinion), presented, ----; Godfrey, 429, 1765, 2968, factor;4 (Fla.1973) provided bare bones supra. 48 Petitioner's deprive power correct obvious Motion Declare Section 921.141, Statutes Unconstitutional Re: Aggravating Mitigating Circumstances 10;5 denied. Tr. noting make contemporaneous time merits claim. 603 1042, 3477, 602, alternative. important, fundamental despite party's court,6 unquestionably appeal.7 explained, "[f]undamental 'error foundation cause action,' 'very guardedly,' "rare jurisdictional appears interests justice present compelling demand application." Ray 403 960 (1981) omitted).8 Presumably reviews oppose petition procedural default. Brief Opposition (State argued vague). possible erroneous instruction,9 contrary protestation, "without authority" 534. unequivocally submission role purely advisory. unsound Riley 517 656, 659 (Fla.1987); Hall 541 1125, 1129 fact. 50 plays essential scheme. 908 (Fla.1975), progeny,10 "great weight." 910. overturned suggesting [are] convincing virtually differ." Ibid.11 Similarly, great weight.12 For Stone 378 765 449 986, 101 407, 66 250 discussed challenge similar Swan 485 reversed Stone's pointed out critical between Swan's "Swan's mercy entitled weight. (Fla.1975)." Stone, 772.13 52 fact, usually attached appendix brief, Respondent A1-A70, setting data concerning 1980 1991. 341 (73%), penalty; none lesser 91 (19%), sentence; overrode 69 overrides (77%), remanded new hearing.14 53 Two conclusions recommends almost sustained occasionally, normally judge. practice, 54 mistakenly acknowledging important scheme, reversible. Jones 569 1234 sexually abused quickly gunshot wound, inapplicable Omelus 584 contracted killing, knowledge accomplished, recognized deliberative infected unless doubt.15 tainted,16 appropriate influenced 55 should, therefore, encompass submitting instruction, reasons concur III-B, IV, respectfully II-A, II-B, III-A. 58 insofar rejects dissent, finding. 59 finding, remained, complied "narrowing" requirement line commencing Furman 408 238, 92 2726, 346 (1972). "error" whose harmlessness issue, then, concerns offered. view (1990) judgment)—a increasingly confirmed in, byzantine complexity death-penalty jurisprudence annually accreting becomes constitutionally required, doing raised question. questions certiorari; grant four, framed follows: "2. Did "4. cruel' ii. respect circumstance: you established [N]umber three, ("It instruct terms face"); ("There few ['outrageously wantonly vile, horrible inhuman,'] standing alone, implies inherent restraint arbitrary capricious infliction sentence"). (Fla.1973), particular, alleged: "Almost appear layman, Examination widespread consistent impossible. standard provides basis distinguishing another. 420 [100 398] (1980)." ("This urged below, denial process"); Castor 365 701, 704, (Fla.1978) (same); Smith, 240 807, 810 (Fla.1970) "preserved 602 exception. answered "have merit." misconstrues understands "would 'fundamental.' *. Quite simply, constitutes rather, power, raise instance, nevertheless, willing able occurred. 622, 625-626 ("Absent precludes instructions"), 1036, 759, 775 Smalley 546 720, 722 (Fla.1989). Oklahoma City Tuttle, 808, 816, 2427, 2432, 85 791 (1985) ("Our represents commitment scarce judicial resources petition. Nonjurisdictional defects sort brought attention respondent's brief opposition within discretion deem defect waived"). Contrary forgotten "defense" jurisdictional, *, ample disposition merits. engages reaches e.g. Thompson 328 (Fla.1976). Eleventh Circuit Court: "That meant amply demonstrated dozens attempt override life. Wasko 505 1314, 1318 Brookings 495 135, 142-43 McCampbell 1072, 1075-76 (Fla.1982); Goodwin 405 170, 172 (Fla.1981); Odom 936, 942-43 456 925 1970, 72 440] (1982); Neary 881, 885-88 (Fla.1980); Malloy 382 1190, 1193 (Fla.1979); Shue 366 387, 390-391 (Fla.1978); McCaskill 344 1276, 1280 (Fla.1977); 1, (Fla.1976)." Mann 844 F.2d 1446, 1451 (1988) (en banc), 1353, 821 Smith 515 185 (Fla.1987) ("[W]e approve weight"), 971, 1249, 99 447 LeDuc 149, 151 ("The primary disturbed relevant w[ere] considered, strong persons recommendation"), 444 885, 175, 62 (1979); Ross 1191, 1197 (Fla.1980) Middleton 426 548, 552-553 (Fla.1982) (approving imposition reiterating death), 1230, 3573, 1413 891 (same), 1122, 1384 weight"). long integral Messer 330 137, 142 (Fla.1976) ("[T]he legislative intent gleaned 921.141 [indicates legislature] sought devise scheme checks balances input serves part"); 657 Lamadline 303 17, (Fla.1974) (right "an right legislation"). offered plea, selection redone. observed: "will [death] original supreme frequently focuses affected Such illogical began premise weight Once established, sense: tainted, decision, took into account tainted." F.2d, 1452-1453 (footnote 659: "If rely, procedure, procedure."

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