Court Opinion

ID: 9530712
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:02:53.998582+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:13.915050
License: Public Domain

PARKS, Judge,
specially concurring:
For the reasons stated in my separate opinion in Fox v. State, 779 P.2d 562, 579 (Okl.Cr.1989), I continue to view the so-called “anti-sympathy” instruction in the second stage of trial unnecessary and confusing to the jury where mitigating evidence has been introduced. However, I must apply the majority’s analysis as a matter of stare decisis. I also reiterate my opinion that the “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel” aggravating circumstance is unconstitutionally vague both on its face and as applied. See Foster v. State, 779 P.2d 591, 594 (Okl.Cr.1989) (Parks, P.J., specially concurring). As a matter of stare decisis, however, I yield to the “torture or serious abuse” standard adopted in Stouf-fer. Applying this standard, I agree that the evidence presented concerning the instant murder satisfied this circumstance *1353and that the sentence of death should be affirmed.