Legal Document

431 U.S. 633 97 Supreme Court Reporter 1993 52 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 637 Harry ROBERTS, Petitioner,v.State of LOUISIANA. Number 76-5206. June 6, 1977. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner Roberts was indicted, tried, and convicted the first-degree murder Police Officer Dennis McInerney, who at time his death engaged in performance lawful duties. As required by a Louisiana statute, petitioner sentenced to death. La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 14:30(2) (1974).1 On appeal, affirmed conviction sentence. 331 So.2d 11 (1976). then filed petition for writ certiorari this Court. The presented question whether Louisiana's mandatory penalty could be imposed pursuant as defined subparagraph (2) 14:30. 2 Shortly before that filed, we held another case (involving different named Roberts) not enforce its (1) 14:30 (1974). versus Louisiana, 428 325, 96 3001, 49 974 (1976) (hereafter cited Stanislaus purposes clarity). In plurality opinion case, precise explicitly answered.2 3 This again answered Washington 906, 3214, 1213 had killed policeman tried under same provision statute present case. We vacated sentence, holding: "Imposition carrying out (in case) constitute cruel unusual punishment violation Eighth Fourteenth Amendments. . ." Ibid. See also Sparks North Carolina, 905, 3213, 1212 (1976); Green Oklahoma, 907, 3216, 1214 4 Recognizing already decided sentence crime committed, Attorney General initially conceded "under Court's decision 75-5844, (the cannot carried unless, course, grants Application Rehearing modifies former holding." Brief Opposition 2-3. nevertheless granted on November 8, 1976, 429 938, 352, 50 307, 29 limited grant "(w)hether impostion police officer law violates Amendments Constitution States." 975, 482, 583. 5 Woodson 280, 304, 2978, 2991, 944 (1976), "the fundamental respect humanity underlying Amendment requires consideration character record individual offender circumstances particular offense constitutionally indispensable part process inflicting death." Roberts, supra, made clear principle applies even where is narrowly defined. n. 2, supra. 6 To sure, fact victim peace performing regular duties may regarded an aggravating circumstance. There special interest affording protection these public servants regularly must risk their lives order guard safety other persons property.3 But it incorrect suppose no mitigating can exist when officer. Circumstances such youth offender, absence any prior conviction, influence drugs, alcohol, or extreme emotional disturbance, existence which reasonably believed provided moral justification conduct are all examples facts might attend killing considered relevant jurisdictions.4 7 emphasized repeatedly companion cases last Term, essential capital-sentencing allow whatever either offense.5 Because does particularized factors, unconstitutional.6 8 Accordingly, hold upon set aside. judgment reversed insofar upholds petitioner. remanded further proceedings inconsistent with opinion.7 9 It so ordered. 10 Mr. Chief Justice BURGER, dissenting. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions would sustain therefore dissent basis my dissenting statement 337, 3008, WHITE, 306, 2992, 12 BLACKMUN, whom WHITE REHNQUIST join, 13 Court, feeling itself bound ), has painted into corner. did join opinion, decline confined. from disposition holding imposition officer, duties, constitutes uphold State's power impose (1974), reject statements intimations contrary cases. 14 per curiam asserts answered" Roberts. Ante, 635. relies summary been stated constituted punishment. Finally, states "it offense." 637. Since strikes down 15 view, constitutionality said ruling merits, but without benefit plenary consideration, focusing identity activity victim. believe result constitutional matter disapprove withhold application. 16 charged subsection, is, 14:30(1) statute. U.S., 327, S.Ct., 3003. ante, 634-635. Subsection killer specific intent kill inflict great bodily harm perpetration attempted aggravated kidnaping, rape, armed robbery. 634 1. (2), contrast, provides committed kill, upon, fireman two subsections obviously should involve quite considerations regard lawfulness penalty, accepting analysis forth joint opinions Term.* Thus, extent alluded were those nonbinding dicta. indisputable carefully focused given problem one intentionally approach new one, predetermined governed 17 problem. decide issue now full briefing argument, three pending treated cluster routinely Term's end immediate wake explicit finding punishment, perhaps way affirmances Edelman Jordan, 415 651, 670-671, 94 1347, 1359, 39 662 simply inquire, Washington, overruled, more careful complete issue. 18 reasons have expressed before, find defective. Furman Georgia, 408 238, 405-414, 92 2726, 2811-2816, 33 346 (1972) (dissenting opinion). 337-363, 3008 (White, J., dissenting). Furthermore, conclude falls within narrow category homicide constitutional. Gregg 153, 186, 2909, 2931, 859 287 7, 292-293, 25, 2983, 2985, 334 9, 3006. overrule it. 19 note do read today deciding times. Reference reveals contained what fatal defects: lack opportunity consider standardless jury discretion inherent responsive verdict system. Without latter, here, surely presented. evident, despite curiam's general contrary, factors need every case; continues reserve prisoner serving life 5. possible state consider, during guilt phase trial, both circumstance pass plurality's test. Cf. Jurek Texas, 262, 270-271, 2950, 2955-2956, 929 For me, therefore, today's viewed context previous criticism system; freeze position condemns intentional 20 REHNQUIST, joins, 21 holds State entitled vindicate substantial interests protecting foot soldiers ordered society mandatorily sentencing murderers though demonstrated fair beyond reasonable doubt, defendant murderer, he act while possessing "a .. " That shocked drafted Bill Rights purports rest, commend only most imaginative observer being "evolving standards decency." 22 am unable agree Amendment's proscription against "cruel punishments." equally see how application scope seen through eyes ). Nor brief issued demonstrate why criminal murders official punishment" light view passed, 176-177, 2926-2927, "objective indicia reflect attitude" today, id., 173, 2925; generalized "basic concept human dignity" test relied Term striking several statutes. 23 While arguments weighing favor individualized much here they accused homicide, society's determination line duty far stronger than ordinary homicide. Thus intimation wash. A footnoted dictum discussing section us scarcely rises level plenary, deliberate traditionally preceded declaration unconstitutionality. 24 Such meager stare decisis less offensive dealing large questions men shall governed, liberty balanced civilized society. authority suffice determine rule perpetuities devise will making adjudication properly enacted unusual." Frankfurter wisely noted "footnote hardly seems appropriate announcing doctrine," Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 90-91, 69 448, 455, 93 L.Ed. 513 (1949); device anticipate appears. seemingly heedless wielding our least acceptable engage Holmes described gravest delicate called perform." Blodgett Holden, 275 142, 147-148, 48 105, 107, 72 206 (1927) (separate 25 Five Terms ago, (1972), invalidated then-current system capital punishments, condemning resulting "freakish" Legislature conscientiously determined, effort respond holding, types offenses, including, us, himself, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, me 308, 2993, persuaded all, let alone class of, commit premeditated 26 otherwise able applied generally murder, nonetheless disagree opinion. clearly controlled reasoning Today's assumes, analysis, faults review necessarily inhere serious crime.1 words White 358, 3018: 27 "Even if Amendment, forbidden provide commission certain crimes conclusively establishes criminal's deserves Moreover, apart criminal, deter some likelihood succeed deterring people them. Nothing resembling reasoned rejection propositions found opinion." Under State, put murderer death, circumstances. conceding follows impermissible us: willing concede circumstance." 636. entitle grave permutation exists disable If entitled, due nature offense, after going version "balancing" approach, reason "Cruel Unusual Punishments" Clause precludes doing engaging process. 28 elements differentiate easy state. cases, defendant's side scale constant. apparently holding. ignores significantly weigh scale. course citizens ultimate attacks; core Lockean "social contract" idea. other, important, Policemen beat exposed, service society, risks constant prevent apprehend criminals entails. literally defense liberty, especial protection. merely punished, manner, sanctions bring play assure there force laws enforced all. rights, undermine right responsibility government: maintenance enjoy security. Learned Hand observed: 30 "And lie hearts women? ruthless, unbridled will; freedom likes. denial leads straight overthrow. recognize check soon becomes possession savage few; learned sorrow." Spirit Liberty 190 (3d ed., 1960). 31 symbols outriders preserve degree unequaled unmistakably deliberately officers acting forewarned form inexorable.2 32 think, Legislature, judgment, make thought Justices STEWART, POWELL, STEVENS response permissible when, crime, wrote Gregg, 184, 2930, sanction expression community's belief themselves grievous affront adequate (Emphasis added.) 34 decipher concludes "certain crimes." answer appears observation officer." 636-637. however, asked wrong question. exist, but, rather, "mitigating" sufficient require counterweights admitted Like heinous intolerable combination overcome demonstration "that 3018. 35 example factor which, presumably, "overcome" gives astonishing suggestion defense, stage, depends nothing convict's cold blood. John Wilkes Booth well morally justified murdering Abraham Lincoln, whom, fleeing stage Ford's Theater, characterized "tyrant"; appalled Government him argue "mitigating factor" guilty. instruct beliefs balancing admittedly proper factor. 36 historical legal content stretched breaking point Term. Today judicially created superstructure, designed erected 180 years adopted, tortured limits judicial review. Constitution's prohibition disables legislature imposing trial part: "First being: "(1) When kidnapping, rape robbery; "(2) duties; "(3) Where previously unrelated sentence; "(4) person; (or) "(5) offered received anything value committing murder. "For Paragraph herein, term (as) include constable, sheriff, deputy local policeman, game warden, federal enforcement jail prison guard, parole probation judge, district attorney, assistant attorney attorneys' investigator. "Whoever commits first punished 1975, amended add burglary predicate felony 1975 La. Acts, 327. "The diversity falling single killings specified felony, variety offenders involved crimes, underscores rigidity enactment similarity Carolina Even drawn categories (one wilful, deliberate, duties) afford meaningful attributes offender." 333-334, "Only third covering person defines significant terms offender. Although permit presents unique justify law. (428 (1976)); 2983 2985 (1976))." Id., 3006 (emphasis added). dangerous one. Statistics show number doubled years. 1966, 57 duty; 129 killed. Federal Bureau Investigation, Crime Uniform 223 See, e. g., portion proposed Model Penal Code quoted 193-194 44, 2935, statutes prisoners sentences. quoting Indeed, Texas procedure rested squarely jury. stated: "But allowed almost certainly fall short providing 303-305, 2991-2992), unconstitutional (1976)). evidence imposed, imposed. "Thus, meet requirement Amendments, valid directs Proffitt Florida, likewise judge advisory enumerated speak circumstances; questions. procedures turns factors." 271-272, 2956 (footnote omitted). joining BRENNAN MARSHALL controls adhere prohibited * 242, 2960, 913 Woodson, poll "revealed 'substantial majority' opposed punishment." 298-299, 34, 2989. follow, poll, "substantial majority" oppose officers. What statistics indicate best pretty evenly divided subject. 1973 Harris Survey, 41% surveyed "all" get 28% Vidmar Ellsworth, Public Opinion Death Penalty, Stan.L.Rev. 1245, 1252 May Minnesota revealed 49% sample favored "automatic" 'murder officer.' 1251. With support, legislature, judiciary newfound construction Yet observes "(c)entral contemporary regarding infliction punishment," 288, makes absolutely attempt discuss "contemporary standards" us. reason, hard deduce: separation "standards decency" dignity man" indicates that, itself, arbiter. W. Blackstone, Commentaries *82: "To resist king's forces defending castle them, levying war tumult, pull house, lay open inclosure, amounts riot; defiance government." recently Laskin Canadian Miller Cockriell Queen, 70 D.L.R.3d 324, W.W.R. 711, 735 meaning 2(b ) Rights: "I Parliament, limiting policemen guards, vengeance view. positions sense follow Parliament additional did, say acted upon. social purpose served )." (Concurring opinion.)

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