Legal Document

428 U.S. 242 96 Supreme Court Reporter 2960 49 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 913 Charles William PROFFITT, Petitioner,v.State of FLORIDA. Number 75-5706. Argued March 31, 1976. Decided July 2, Stay Granted 22, See 1301, 3235. Rehearing Denied Oct. 4, 429 875, 97 198. Syllabus Petitioner, whose first-degree murder conviction and death sentence were affirmed by the Florida Court, attacks constitutionality capital-sentencing procedure, that was enacted in response to Furnam versus Georgia, 408 238, 92 2726, 33 346. Under new statute, trial judge (who is sentencing authority) must weigh eight statutory aggravating factors against seven mitigating determine whether penalty should be imposed, thus requiring him focus on circumstances crime character individual defendant. The system resembles Georgia upheld Gregg 153, 2909, 859, except for basic difference determined rather than jury, which has an advisory role with respect phase trial. Held: judgment affirmed. Pp. 251-260; 260-261; 261. 315 So.2d 461, Mr. Justice STEWART, POWELL, STEVENS, concluded that: 1 1. imposition not Per se cruel unusual punishment violation Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. Gregg, ante, at 168-187, S.Ct., 168-187. Pacific KF135 P2 247. 2 2. On its face, procedures satisfy constitutional deficiencies identified Furman, supra. judges are given specific detailed guidance assist them deciding impose a or imprisonment life, their decisions reviewed ensure they comport other sentences imposed under similar circumstances. Petitioner's contentions remain arbitrary capricious lack merit. 251-259. 3 (a) argument constitutionally invalid because it allows discretion exercised each stage criminal proceeding fundamentally misinterprets Furman. 199, 2937. 254. 4 (b) authorizing if "especially heinous, atrocious, cruel," "(t)he defendant knowingly created great risk many persons," as construed provide adequate those involved process overly broad. 255-256. 5 (c) imprecision makes incapable determination jury vein raise questions about line-drawing evaluations do differ from juries traditionally consider. statute gives clear precise directions enable ones. 257-258. 6 (d) Contrary petitioner's contention, State Court's review neither ineffective nor arbitrary, evidenced careful followed assessing sentences, over third court vacated. 258-259. 7 WHITE, joined THE CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST, law Required all murderers whom outweigh factors, categories will freakishly rarely, but regularly, imposed; therefore scheme does run afoul holding prosecutorial his may never any consistent Amendment without substance. See, 224-225, 2948-2949 (White, J., concurring judgment) Roberts Louisiana, 325, 348-350, 350-356, 3001, 3013-3014, 3014-3017, 974 dissenting). 260-261. 8 BLACKMUN concurred judgment. Furman 405-414, 2811-16, 346 (Blackmun, dissenting), Id., 375, 414, 465, 2796, 2816, 2841. 9 Clinn Atlantic Curtis, Lake Wales, Fla., petitioner. 10 Robert L. Shevin, Atty. Gen., Tallahassee, respondent. 11 By special leave E. James, Los Angeles, Cal., California, amicus curiae, Sol. Gen. Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Bork, Washington, D. C., U. S., curiae. 12 Judgment opinion announced POWELL. 13 issue presented this case violates 14 * petitioner, Proffitt, tried, found guilty, sentenced Joel Medgebow. surrounding testified decedent's wife, who present time committed. 10, 1973, Mrs. Medgebow awakened around a. m. bedroom her apartment find husband sitting up bed, moaning. He what she took ruler.1 Just then person jumped up, hit several times fist, knocked floor, ran out house. It soon appeared had been fatally stabbed butcher knife. able identify attacker, although give description him.2 15 wife night before petitioner gone work dressed white shirt gray pants, he returned 5:15 same clothing shoes. She said after short conversation packed clothes departed. A young woman boarder, overheard parts told killed man knife while burglarizing place, beaten woman. One coworkers drinking together until 3:30 3:45 morning driven home. wearing pants shirt. 16 guilty charged. Subsequently, provided law, separate hearing held life imprisonment. state decision turned certain outweighed exist.3 At shown one prior conviction, 1967 charge breaking entering. also introduced testimony physician (Dr. Crumbley) jail where pending come physician, concerned would harm people future, uncontrollable desire kill already resulted killing man, building again, wanted psychiatric help so again. Dr. Crumbley that, opinion, dangerous danger fellow inmates imprisoned, condition could treated successfully. 17 verdict recommending death. ordered independent evaluation results indicated not, murder, mentally impaired. In written findings supporting sentence, (1) premeditated occurred course felony (burglary); (2) propensity commit murder; (3) especially cruel; (4) knowingly, through intentional act, serious bodily persons. specifically none existed. 461 (1975). We granted certiorari, 423 1082, 1090, 47 94 (1976), consider constitutes II 18 argues reject reasons stated today 2922-2932, 859. III 19 (1972), Legislature adopted statutes authorize convicted murder. Fla.Stat.Ann. § 782.04(1)(Supp. 1976-1977).4 patterned large part Model Penal Code. 921.141 (Supp.1976-1977).5 capital offense, evidentiary sentence. Evidence matter deems relevant include matters relating legislatively specified Both prosecution defense shall imposed. 20 conclusion directed "(w)hether sufficient exist . exist; (b)ased these considerations, (imprisonment) death." §§ 921.141(2)(b) (c)(Supp.1976-1977).6 jury's majority vote. only advisory; actual judge. stated, however, "(i)n order sustain deatfollowing recommendation facts suggesting convincing virtually no reasonable differ." Tedder State, 322 908, 910 Accord, Thompson 328 1, (1976). Cf. Spinkellink 313 666, 671 (1975).7[n] 21 when determines requires imposes death, "it set forth writing upon based facts: (t)hat (statutory) there insufficient circumstances." 921.141(3) (Supp.1976-1977).8 22 provides automatic cases 921.141(4) (Supp.1976-1977). differs require conduct form review. Since, justify findings, meaningful appellate such made possible like counterpart considers function "(guarantee) (aggravating mitigating) reach result reached another case. If die, can light too great." Dixon, 283 (1973). 23 face procedures, used appear meet authority Florida, judge, This Inter alia, record, acted duress influence extreme mental emotional disturbance, defendant's minor accomplice, youth favor more lenient might otherwise committed enumerated felonies, pecuniary gain, escape custody prevent lawful arrest, cruel. To answer questions, unlike considered see U.S., 197, 2936, homicide 24 between jury.9 pointed perform important societal function, Witherspoon Illinois, 391 510, 519 n. 15, 88 1770, 1775, 776 (1968), suggested required. And judicial lead, anything, even greater consistency level punishment, since experienced better analogous cases.10 25 seek assure arbrary manner. Moreover, extent contrary exists, minimized Florida's system, evidence reweighed "to independently ultimate warranted." Songer 481, 484 Sullivan 303 632, 637 (1974). hesitated vacate have Indeed, vacated date. Taylor 294 648 (1974); Lamadline Slater 316 539 (1975); Swan 485 908 Halliwell 323 557 (1976); Messer 330 137 26 sum, life. Thus, longer true " 'no basis distinguishing few (the penalty) not.' 188, 2932, quoting 313, 2764 J, concurring). satisfies B 27 As contends, perhaps facially acceptable, effect merely cosmetic, arbitrariness caprice still pervade penalty. 28 29 first inherent justice prosecutor's offense accept plea lesser consideration included offenses, and, unsuccessful appeal, Executive's commute we noted fundamental misinterpretation expressed Gregg. 30 31 next reality eliminate infliction condemned Basically contends vague overbroad,11 how weighed 32 Initially asserts broad "any becomes candidate ." particular, eighth circumstances, persons." 921.141(5)(h), These provisions Florida. That recognized arguable "that killings (s)till, believe intended something 'especially' atrocious authorized degree murder." So.2d, 910. consequence, provision "the conscienceless pitiless unnecessarily torturous victim." 9. Alford 307 433, 445 supra, 561.12 say provision, construed, inadequate charged duty imposing cases. 200-203, 2938-2939. 34 case, instant factor persons" found, Alvord 533 (1975), "obviously murdered two victims avoid surviving witness (first) 540.13 impermissibly vague.14 35 "under disturbance," capacity conform requirements substantially impaired," participation accomplice "relatively minor," beyond determine. 921.141(6)(b), (f), 36 capable age determining "significant history activity." 921.141(6)(g), make rational "sufficient" assigns weight various considered. 37 While hard, commonly required factfinder lawsuit. For example, evaluated validity defenses insanity reduced capacity, both involve considerations some above-mentioned authorities numerical weights assigned them, satisfied authority's guided channeled examination argue agast penalty, eliminating total capriciousness imposition. 38 sufficiently result, court's focuses 39 40 Finally, designed capriciously selected group defendants. reviews cases.15 41 Nonetheless reviewing necessarily subjective unpredictable. chosen formulate rigid objective test standard cases, follow arbitrary. fact, apparent undertaken responsibly maximum rationality consistency. compared previous assessed sentences. e. g., 445; 540-541. following procedure type proportionality mandated statute. 204-206, 2939-2941. suggestion gages cursory rubber-stamp totally controverted fact one-third it. 253.16 IV 42 responded enacting legislation passes muster. informed, focused, guided, inquiry into question articulates led decision. Those reasons, conscientiously which, statewide jurisdiction, consistency, fairness, evenhanded operation law. serves "wantonly" "freakishly" 310, 2762 (Stewart, Accordingly, us 43 ordered. 44 REHNQUIST join, 45 There need repeat statement described detail STEVENS. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions agree Parts III-B(2)(a) (b), Ante, 255-258, susceptible mechanical application, means overbroad unfettered. factors. good reason anticipate, then, murderers, rarely regularity; consequently cannot ceased credible deterrent measurably contribute end system." 311, 2763, (1972) thisourt's Georgia. 46 my 2948-2949, dissenting undercut possibility solely exercise executive clemency. concur affirmance. 48 BLACKMUN, appears "ruler" actually weapon pulled own chest. attacker pinstriped long sleeves rolled elbow. medium-sized male. Infra, 248-250. reads follows: "(1)(a) unlawful human being, perpetrated design engaged perpetration of, attempt perpetrate, arson, involuntary sexual battery, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, aircraft piracy, throwing, placing, discharging destructive device bomb, distribution heroin years older drug proven proximate cause user, constitute felony, punishable s. 775.082. "(b) section, imprisonment." 782.04 Another authorizes battery child age. 794.011(2) Code 210.6 (Proposed Official Draft, 1962), (set 193-194, 2935, 44). are: "(a) previously involving use threat violence person. "(c) "(d) engaged, commission commit, flight committing attempting rape, piracy bomb. "(e) purpose avoiding preventing arrest effecting custody. "(f) gain. "(g) disrupt hinder governmental enforcement laws. "(h) cruel." 921.141(5) significant activity. disturbance. victim participant consented act. relatively minor. substantial domination appreciate criminality crime." 921.141(6) always cited judge-imposed Douglas Dobbert 433 But latter relied opinions, support reversing affirming simply listed six justification Sawyer 680 Since arguably fell within unclear uphold rested entirely nonstatutory seems unlikely explicitly "(a)ggravating Limited (eight factors)." (Emphasis added.) limiting language introducing list Infra. Because ruled preparation presentence investigation report appropriate 485, 488-489 reports frequently contain much information sentencing. 189, 2933 37. American Bar Association Project Standards Criminal Justice, Sentencing Alternatives Procedures 1.1, Commentary, Pages 43-48 (Approved Draft); President's Commission Law Enforcement Administration Justice: Challenge Crime Free Society, Task Force Report: Courts (1967). 189-192, 2932-2934. words "a experience possesses requisite knowledge balance activity developed involvement trials numerous defendants." examine claims vagueness overbreadth criteria insofar necessary viewed entirety, 201, 2938 51. including stating "pitiless" "torturous Hallman 305 180 (1974) (victim's throat slit broken bottle); 666 (1975) ("career criminal" shot sleeping traveling companion); Gardner 675 (brutal beating murder); (three women strangulation, raped); (1976) (depraved Henry 430 (torture children). accurately characterized "unnecessarily torturous," abandoned definition Dixon applied Alford, Tedder, Halliwell. argued broadens construction, attacked being read there. error advanced judge's finding did supported evidence. circumstance justified concluding decided point though expressly done so. However, four Not exist, implied. notes further fails channel approve practice, recast statutory. earlier, ever 8, Supra. 10. unbalanced view way typical treats affirm vast 204, 2940 56, problem

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