Legal Document

489 U.S. 401 109 S.Ct. 1211 103 L.Ed.2d 435 Richard L. DUGGER, Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections, and Robert A. Butterworth, Attorney General Florida, Petitionersv.Aubrey Dennis ADAMS, Jr. No. 87-121. Argued Nov. 1, 1988. Decided Feb. 28, 1989. Rehearing Denied April 17, See 490 1031, 1770. Syllabus At the start jury selection for respondent's state-court trial first-degree murder, judge instructed prospective jurors on their responsibility sentence they would recommend, stating that court, not jury, was responsible sentencing had merely an advisory role. Defense counsel did object to these instructions. The found respondent guilty recommended death sentence, which then imposed. Supreme Court affirmed conviction direct appeal in allege as error, either state or federal grounds, above Nor he so a subsequent unsuccessful motion court postconviction relief later habeas corpus petition. Thereafter, it held Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 320, 105 2633, 86 231, prosecutor's remarks misinformed capital case role appellate review violated Eighth Amendment. Based Caldwell, filed another relief, challenging first time instructions question arguing Amendment by misinforming its under law because could override jury's only if facts were "so clear convincing virtually no reasonable person differ," therefore, since this told solely his failed tell them e verdict limited circumstances, misled violation Caldwell. On appeal, refused address argument raise appeal. claim raised second petition, District procedurally barred. Appeals reversed, holding novel at trial, sentencing, legal basis reasonably available therefore established cause procedural default. proceeded hold Held: does provide Despite availability law, challenge As result, barred him from raising issue proceedings. Respondent offered excuse failure state-law there is none amount good proceeding. What determinative ground instructions—that objectionable law—was necessary element subsequently claim. In such case, Reed Ross, 468 104 2901, 82 distinguished. Pp. 1213-1218. 804 F.2d 1526 (CA11 1986), 816 1493 1987), reversed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, dissenting opinion, BRENNAN, MARSHALL, STEVENS, joined, post, p. ---. Margene Roper, Port Orange, Fla., petitioners. Ronald J. Tabak, New York City, respondent. Justice WHITE Court. 1 we decide whether our decision 231 (1985), provided court's accordance with procedures. 2 Aubrey Adams, Jr., charged murder 8-year-old Trisa Gail Thornley, State sought impose penalty. undertook instruct "advisory" law.1 informed initial panel jurors: 3 "The bound your recommendation. ultimate what man gets shoulders. It's my You are group me Phase Two. can come back say, Judge, think you ought give life. I disregard recommendation Jury death. be put So conscience part you're going not, make. That's make has conscience. It cannot yours." App. 19-20. 4 intended explanation entire venire before beginning process but forgot do so, gave similar each new seated. ultimately selected heard least once, several number times. addition, interrupted counsel's voir dire two occasions repeat again effect began deliberations. any point 5 October 20, 1978, murder. After separate hearing, sentenced death, imposed sentence.2 Adams State, 412 So.2d 850 (1982), denied certiorari, 459 882, 182, 74 148 (1982). judge's recommend. 6 September 1984, denial Rule Criminal Procedure 3.850. 456 888. Again, statements sentence. next petition Court; once 18, Wainwright, 84-170—Civ-Oc-16 (MD Fla.), Eleventh Circuit affirmed, 764 1356 474 1073, 106 834, 88 805 (1986). 7 June 11, 1985, decided. prosecutor Id., 336, S.Ct., 2643 (plurality opinion); id., 341-342, 2646 (O'CONNOR, concurring judgment). 3.850, law. According respondent, lthough penalty statute advisory, differ." Tedder 322 908, 910 (1975) (per curiam). Since argued, merits, however, 484 1216, 1217, cert. denied, 475 1103, 1506, 89 906 8 barred, that, alternatively, meritless. 86-64 Civ-Oc-16 Mar. 7, 9, Pet. Cert. A-43, A-56—A-60. (1986), modified rehearing, (1987). "was [his] 1978 early 1979 time"; F.2d, 1498. merits claim, concluding 1532-1533. 9 We granted certiorari Circuit's provides default,3 485 933, 108 1106, 99 267 (1988), now reverse. 10 Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 87, 97 2497, 2506, 53 594 (1977), required petitioners show "cause" "prejudice" courts will claims have defaulted. reaffirmed requirement occasions. Murray Carrier, 477 478, 494-495, 2639, 2649-2650, 91 397 (1986); Engle Isaac, 107, 129, 102 1558, 1572, 71 783 have, "left open 'for resolution future decisions precise definition' " prejudice. Amadeo Zant, 486 214, 221, 1771, 1776, 100 249 (1988) (quoting supra, 2506). also 13, 2909, (1984). 11 Ross one way petitioner establish showing "a constitutional counsel." 16, 2910. Circuit, relying Reed, "Eighth jurisprudence [respondent's] default basis" 1499. reviewed prior cases concluded indicated ones made here "implicated prohibition against cruel unusual punishment." Ibid. noted find other suggesting "this type being time." 12 believe sufficient weight critical fact leads us conclude, without passing Appeals' historical analysis, noted, "Caldwell relevant certain types comment—those mislead allows feel less than should decision." Darden 168, 184, n. 15, 2464, 2474, 144 conceded oral argument, challenged accurately described To violation, defendant necessarily must improperly assigned local See, e.g., Tr. Oral Arg. 29, 32, 33, 36-37. asserting finding error law.4 13 If correct regard, plainly objection Pait 112 380, 383-384 (Fla.1959) (holding constitutes reversible error); Blackwell 76 Fla. 124, 79 So. 731, 735-736 (1918) (same).5 Yet, despite bars So.2d, 1217. 14 offers discern Had objected asserted sustained objection, been corrected system. overruled ruling very likely know instruction accurate reflection event, doubtful i provoked filing turns out well grounds follow rules. 15 help valid settled State. Six years later, Mullaney Wilbur, 421 684, 95 1881, 44 508 (1975), Due Process Clause Federal Constitution. [was] U.S., Hence, reason suspecting defense flouting procedures tactical reasons. But invalid time; yet those nor Unlike available, safe assume reasons Indeed, some suggestion comments incline toward leniency rather recommending Dobbert 432 282, 294, 2290, 2299, 344 (1977). Furthermore, lacking, said adjudicating infringe interest enforcing here, said, every having faulty timely manner misstatement, disappear when violates Constitution erroneously describes 16 agree itself United States 1499, 6. "mere errors concern unless rise level rights protected Constitution." Barclay 463 939, 957-958, 3418, 3428-3429, 77 1134 (1983) opinion) (citation omitted). obtained Rather, exercise equitable power overlook 2906. 17 Neither whenever particular conduct improper, preserve arising same conduct. improper due process. Donnelly DeChristoforo, 416 637, 94 1868, 40 431 (1974). default.6 18 judgment 19 ordered. whom STEVENS join, dissenting. 20 Although repeatedly ruled prohibits arbitrary capricious imposition penalty,1 today arbitrarily imposes obstacles thwart vindication apparently meritorious 21 determined Amendment, interpreted (1985).2 This reverses determination, finds valid, late presenting courts. words, sending presumptively unlawful execution becaus lawyers felt appropriate doing so. 22 understand, accept, Court's lacked authority remedy unconstitutional But, manifestly, case. reversing Appeals, majority relegates footnote discussion doctrines upon full consideration, might entitle affirmance, reversal, judgment. Thus, capriciously casts aside precedent reinstate unconstitutionally "unreliable"3 purely reasons, compounds capriciousness issuing decisive issues receive dismissive consideration. Given treatment worth reflecting moment special inappropriateness cruelty impending execution. 23 * There need dwell history criminal defendant's comply rule procedure precludes By adequate independent ground, precluded demonstrate resulting alleged violation. 84, 90-91, 2505, 2508-2509, 24 refined standard, see, (1984); defaulted even absent default, consider result "fundamental miscarriage justice." Smith Murray, 527, 537-538, 2661, 2668-2669, 434 495-496, Smith, applied justice" principle effort equate convictions sentences principle, following standard: "substantial" "that undermined accuracy guilt determination." 539, 2669. Even narrow standard makes applicable allegations errors.4 25 precedents, three conditions met: (1) decision; (2) prejudice default; (3) fundamental justice. Yet devotes single end third principles. Ante, 410-412, 26 acknowledges, must, ----. inquiry permit consign second-class status rest analysis determining properly considered principles attention deserve, becomes evident alternative affirming II 27 recognizes reliance bar inadequate "has 'consistently regularly applied.' 410, 6, quoting Johnson 578, 589, 1981, 1987, 575 (1988). majority, asserts standard. disagree. 28 When 3.850 Rules Procedure, among others, further successive proceeding abuse Rule. 1217.5 issued March 3, 1986. 29 Prior date, cases, foreclose claims, notwithstanding existence defaults. First, 217 involved motion, though prisoner there, like argue about 329 287 (1976) (direct appeal), dism'd, 430 704, 1671, 51 751 (1977); 372 437 (1979) (first motion).6 "choos[ing] address" Darden, explicitly rebuffed State's efforts reject presentation constituted 218. 30 Second, Mann 482 1360 (among others), simply "chose enforce own rule." Dugger, 844 1446, 1448, (en banc), pending, 87-2073. decided apply rules claims. 31 Petitioners cite Middleton 465 1218, 1226 surely questionable reference satisfy "plain statement" Harris 255, 1038, 308 (1989). counting invoked preclude impossible light Mann, application "strictly followed" requirements. Barr City Columbia, 378 146, 149, 84 1734, 1736, 766 (1964). Consequently, foreclosed consideration chosen jurisdiction review, and, fortiori, 32 majority's discounting persuasive. observes discuss prisoner's h § mentioned observation misses point. remains him. 288-291. Accordingly, neither thus starkly inconsistent identical posture cases. For alone, demonstrates inadequacy Adams. 33 notes specifically mention again, too, expressly 1217-1218. identified name, not; did. supports here. 34 view, then, attempts distinguish clearly unavailing, suffice constitute barring Moreover, handed down after reinforce conclusion applying Combs 525 853 invoke decision, present 403 418, 420-421 (1981), 984, 2258, 72 862 affirmatively chose largely wanted announce view inapplicable cases.7 35 rely Daugherty 533 287, 488 959, 402, 390 convict motion. 419 1067 (1982) 1228, 1236, 75 469 (1983); 505 1323 motion), 891, 98 180 Daugherty, rested rejection "determined Florida." 288. 36 Most recently, Glock 537 (1989), C ldwell Puiatti 495 128, 132 (Fla.1986).8 sum, Combs, convincingly still strictly Contrasting all five (Darden, Glock) seriously contend "evenhandedly claims." Hathorn Lovorn, 457 263, 2421, 2427, 824 (1982).9 adequacy fully considered, escaping ground. unseemly haste reverse "cause," treats afterthought, although analytically antecedent issue.10 III 37 if, somehow, convinced "adequate," within meaning conclude reached quarrel determination default.11 "That inquiry." U. ., 537, 2668. 38 recognizes, examine action believes injustice occur. 39 Respondent's see generally Brief 25-49, rests premises: Under permitted overturn life choice erroneous.12 Notwithstanding insistently vote nothing more," "not recommendation," "the sole determiner [respondent] receives into electric chair." 69, 78, 79. drummed misinformation jurors' heads telling most important thing . remember" nonbinding nature "conscience" his. 69-70, 77-78. (as assume) repeated insistent mischaracterized distorted render inherently suspect. severe: incorrect may caused returned instructed. 331-333, 2640-2642. Jurors who lies someone else's more willing "to 'send message' extreme disapproval acts." 331, 2640. plain presented "substantial determination" trial. essence sentencin undermined. 41 respect, entirely unlike itself. There, admission testimony allegedly Fifth Amendments,13 "pervert[ed] deliberations" determination. 538, contrast, inclusion exclusion evidence, detailed responsibility, lack it, global scope: pervades true, pervert decision.14 fall scope exception Sykes test, means repudiate sub silentio Smith. 42 precisely kind reviewable 537-539, 2668-2669. otherwise, sends unlawful, inaccurate well. Nothing precedents calls consummately result.15 IV 43 Contrary today, amply support unreliable surprising, suppose, force confines two-thirds opinion. reach granted, making mockery "appl[ied] evenhandedly claims," 2426, dismiss writ improvidently granted. Similarly, wish undertake task inquiry, remand purpose. inasmuch issues, conclusory discharge responsibilities matter expected reinstates vacated below (and reasons), particularly careful disposition expectation naive. 45 dissent. Stat. 921.141 (1985) follows: "(2) ADVISORY SENTENCE BY THE JURY.—After hearing shall deliberate based matters: "(a) Whether aggravating circumstances exist enumerated subsection (5); "(b) mitigating outweigh exist; "(c) considerations, imprisonment "(3) FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF DEATH. weighing enter set forth writing findings facts: That (5), insufficient circumstances." committed while engaged attempting kidnaping rape, avoid arrest, especially heinous, atrocious, cruel. significant activity, influence emotional mental disturbance wife getting divorce, age. Shortly Tenth sufficiently Dutton Brown, 812 593, 596 banc) (finding "[t]he relies become until 1985"), 836, 116, Previously, Moore Blackburn, 774 (alternative holding), 476 1176, 2904, 90 990 writ, U.S.C. 2254 9(b). "[t]hat competent attorney aware apparent opinion." 98. brief contention given grounds. issue, merit irrelevant Both cited 334, 5, 2642, sserts, upholding relied "adequate"—that is, "consistently applied." 1988, stated "[i]t case," 1493, 1497 (1987), went argues major changes occur cognizable contends words created procedure." hardly fault reaching asserts, dissent agrees, consistently addressed review. vast faithfully Bertolotti 534 386, 387, (1988); Clark 1144, 1145 Jones 290, 292 Woods 531 79, 83 Cave 529 293, 296 Preston 528 896, 899 Doyle 526 909, 911 Ford 522 345, 346 88-5582; Henderson 835, Tafero 520 289 Foster 518 901, 901-902 487 1240, 2914, 101 945 Phillips 515 227, 227-228 (1987); Copeland 425, 427-428, 807, 55, Aldridge 503 1257, 1259 Sireci, 502 1221, 1223-1224 (1985). few ignoring defaults convince fails consistently. 217, 218 discussed 1360, 1362 (1986) construed 1988), 87-2073), 853, 856 "[i]n instant Mississippi comment," 288, Combs. Finally, 99, justified summarily denying relief" petitioner's claims; Regardless subject statement 934, 1107, 268 undercut rule. failing 496, 2650, "where probably resulted actually innocent, grant absence default." clear, "extraordinary" one, ibid., recognized difficulty translating concept "actual" innocence phase 2668, define "actually innocent" equal instructing "assume[s], arguendo", justice results "there substantial Post, 415, 4. dissent, undermined," 423, satisfied. overbroad view. Demonstrating affected far demonstrating individual she received. approach taken turn justice, "extraordinary too ordinary one. E.g., 585-587, 1986-1987, Maynard Cartwright, 356, 362-363, 1853, 1858-1859, Booth Maryland, 509, 107 2529, 2536, 96 440 California Ramos, 992, 999, 3446, 3452, 1171 Zant Stephens, 462 862, 874, 2733, 2741, 235 (1983). "it constitutionally impermissible sentencer led appropriateness elsewhere." 328-329, 2639-2640. 1526, 1533 1986); 1501 1987) (case below). en banc, occasion express unanimous approval meritorious—even banc divided sharply over validity brought prisoners weaker factual records. Harich 1464, 1473 88-5216. seek ante, 408, One uncertain t term cites states 2650. acknowledged, "concept 'actual' translate easily context offense." Nonetheless, text appears rendered translation: refusal constitutionality decision. evaluating assume, arguendo, governing found, 1497, argues, procedure. reading contrary language: "Having carefully [respondent's remaining claims], both 'an governed rul s,' caselaw firmly necessity appeal." 1217 (emphasis added). difference purposes, two; text, prejudicial. These statements, suggest 289-291. proceeding, "also attempt[ed] process." 221. saying rejecting emphatic expressing desire merits. 854-855. proof discount reveal misunderstanding consistency requires considering whether: motion; (or motion); criteria. thereby undercutting similarly situated negate fact. contrary, Daugherty's exclusive deciding proves conclusively regarding Glock, "whether barred." 411-412, Either way, true issue. sure, 1987 undermine least, regularly" 587, 1987. persists treat evenhanded manner. historically expressed reluctance discretionary Williams Georgia, 349 375, 814, L.Ed. 1161 (1955); Patterson Alabama, 294 600, 55 575, 1082 (1935). ignores longstanding precedents. nonetheless digress note disturbing aspect broadly asserts: "To law." 407. More pointedly, continues: "Respondent description Caldwell's holding, possible instructions, minimize sense Steffen Ohio, 916, 1089, 250 (BRENNAN, certiorari). "must asserting": premise information 25-49. say lacks theory erroneous 1473; 1450-1455 1988) court-appointed psychiatrist: during psychiatric evaluation, incident deviant sexual part. prosecution called psychiatrist stand elicited said. recognize, lends suggests close call—as justices dissented 850, 857 egregiously result. "do[es] 'actually innocent' sentence," 412, concludes "probably received." incoherence decisionmaking shocking "recognize[s] difficulty" innocence" determinations, using problematic clarification context. 142, worse, articulate it. attempted articulated best it: demonstrated 2669; 268, S.Ct , 1046 concurring) language ). refuses prevail "alleged error" here—telling consciences, binding erroneous—is undoubtedly claim" "undermined accuracy" supra. refusing effectively discards "actual context, place. leaves shambles ever bothering determine governs

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