Court Opinion

ID: 9630964
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 10:25:55.785485+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:07:47.014179
License: Public Domain

Concurring Opinion by
Chief Justice LAMBERT.
While I concur with the result of the majority opinion, I write separately to emphasize that Chapman’s volunteerism with respect to the death penalty plays no part in my concurrence.
Imposition of the death penalty is the ultimate expression of state outrage for criminal conduct. The wishes of a defendant, whether motivated by sincere remorse, desire to escape life imprisonment, or to assert control, should play no part in a death penalty determination. The death penalty should be imposed only at the conclusion of the litigation process, after every possible legal claim available to the defendant has been explored and determined to be without merit.
NOBLE, J., joins this concurring opinion.