Legal Document

484 U.S. 211 108 S.Ct. 534 98 L.Ed.2d 546 Dale Robert YATES, Petitionerv.James AIKEN, Warden, et al. No. 86-6060. Argued Dec. 2, 1987. Decided Jan. 12, 1988. Syllabus Petitioner was tried in state court on charges of murder and armed robbery stemming from a 1981 store during which his accomplice the storekeeper's mother were killed fight after petitioner left store. Although testified that had not even entered before he intended to kill or harm anyone, jury instructed "that malice is implied presumed use deadly weapon." After conviction death sentence affirmed by South Carolina Supreme Court, sought writ habeas corpus court, arguing, inter alia, burden-shifting instruction given at trial unconstitutional under Sandstrom v. Montana, 442 510, 99 2450, 61 39. While application pending, also called court's attention this Court's subsequent decision Francis Franklin, 471 307, 105 1965, 85 344. Court summarily vacated summary denial remanded case "for further consideration light Francis," although acknowledging suffered same infirmities addressed Francis, denied relief state-law grounds without considering whether might apply retroactively discussing Sandstrom. Held: As matter federal law, petitioner's cannot stand Francis. Pp. 215-218. (a) Sandstrom, been decided took place, established Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment prohibits instructions have effect relieving State its burden proof critical question intent criminal prosecution. merely an governing principle. Accordingly, respondent's argument newly announced constitutional rule should generally be applied cases pending collateral review operate deny benefit That simply does where "new" holding well settled time conviction. 215-217. (b) The State's contention it has authority establish scope own proceedings refuse therein new law rejected since did announce opinion place any limit issues will entertain proceedings. Having considered merits claim, duty grant requires. 217—218. 290 S.C. 231, 349 S.E.2d 84, reversed remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered for unanimous Court. David I. Bruck, Columbia, S.C., petitioner. Donald John Zelenka, respondents. Justice STEVENS 1 robbed country 1981. store, occurred both killed. convicted sentenced death. His 1982. Yates, 280 29, 310 805, cert. denied, 462 1124, 103 3098, 77 1356 (1983). 2 At trial, victim anyone. jury, however, weapon."1 A few months affirmed, held error give such instruction. See Elmore, 279 417, 308 781 Thereafter, arguing reasoning Elmore our 39 (1979). we another involving instruction, 344 (1985), promptly opinion. 3 then certiorari We judgment Franklin." Yates Aiken, 474 896, 106 218, 88 218 (1985). On remand, determined "suffered present 232, (1986). Nevertheless, entitled relief. explanation holding, stated invalidate final when decided. consider Franklin discuss relied. 4 In dissent, Finney reasoned because shifts element offense particularly capital case—substantially impairs truth-finding function jury. Moreover, reasoned, Montana 1979, represent significant change law.2 5 granted concerned fully complied with mandate. 480 945, 107 1601, 94 788 (1987). now reverse. 6 * Our order remanding predicated entirely fact challenge asserted substantial question. explained why kind supported Federal Constitution: 7 "The 'protects accused against except upon beyond reasonable doubt every necessary constitute crime charged.' re Winship [397 358, 364, 90 1068, 1072, 25 368 (1970) ]. This 'bedrock, "axiomatic elementary" [constitutional] principle,' id., 363 [90 S.Ct., 1072], using evidentiary presumptions charge persuasion essential crime. supra [442 U.S.], 520-524 [99 2457-2459]; Patterson New York, 432 197, 210, 215 [97 2319, 2329, 53 281] (1977); Mullaney Wilbur, 421 684, 698-701 [95 1881, 1889-1890, 44 508] (1975); see Morissette United States, 342 246, 274-275 [72 240, 255, 96 L.Ed. 288] (1952). prohibition protects 'fundamental value determination society,' voice Harlan's concurrence Winship, 'it far worse convict innocent man than let guilty go free.' 397 U.S., 372 1077]. Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525-526 [78 1332, 1341-1342, 1460] (1958)." 313, 1970. 8 portion concluding infirm "addressed " responsive mandate, but discussion not. mandate contemplated would whether, as could Since decide question, shall do so. II 9 Attorney General submits adopt theory unless places "certain kinds primary, private individual conduct power law-making proscribe," Mackey 401 667, 692, 91 1160, 1180, 28 404 (1971) (Harlan, concurring part dissenting part), enunciates procedural "implicit concept ordered liberty," 693, 1180. Under theory, argues, ruling Franklin. 10 already endorsed retroactivity analysis direct appeal, Griffith Kentucky, 479 314, 322, 708, 713, 93 649 (1987); States Johnson, 457 537, 102 2579, 73 202 (1982), noted, Harlan did, Mackey, supra, 682-687, 1174-1177; Desist 394 244, 260, 89 1030, 1039, 22 248 (1969) dissenting), important distinction between review. Compare Allen Hardy, 478 2878, 92 199 (1986) (holding Batson 476 79, 1712, 69 review), Griffith, 322-324, 713-714 review); see, e.g., Pennsylvania Finley, 481 55, 1990, 95 539 (1987) (right appointed counsel appeal applicable proceedings). To case, determine announcing rules 11 believed most attacks judgments resolved reference conviction, emphasized proposition many holdings are applications principles Desist: 12 prevailing is, one more complex seemingly recognized. First, particular really 'new' all well-established principle govern closely analogous those previously prior law. . One need rigid partisan Blackstone recognize many, though all, decisions grounded fundamental whose content dramatically year year, meanings altered slowly subtly generation succeeds generation. context appears very difficult argue never say assurance ruled differently became final." 263-264, 1041. 13 reasoning, endorsed,3 controlling governed place. explicitly so itself: 14 almost identical Sandstrom: 'whether challenged enunciated mind,' 521 2458], creating mandatory presumption other elements offense." 1971. 15 "Sandstrom made clear making 2458]. Today reaffirm wellspring due process drawn. Appeals faithfully correctly rule, therefore affirmed." Id., 326-327, 1977. III 16 Respondents proceeding. reject two reasons. just explained, rule. Second, read having placed 17 reversed, inconsistent 18 It ordered. App. 7; Tr. 1208. doctrine shifting set out [471 (1985) ], break 510 39] (1979), conclusive shift violate Amendment's requirement required prove each doubt. went hold, concerning Elmore-type errors, conflict innocence endows accused. These presumptions, likewise, extend invade which, assigns solely jury." 239; S.E.2d, 88-89. 549, 2586, (1982): "[W]hen precedents different factual situations, no real arisen later retrospectively. cases, foregone conclusion applies earlier material way." Truesdale 527, 1394, (per curiam ); Dunaway 200, 2248, 60 824 (1979); Lee Missouri, 439 461, 462, 710, 711, 58 736 (1979) ).

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