Court Opinion

ID: 9675836
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:07:05.370358+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:40.253762
License: Public Domain

OVERSTREET, Judge,
concurring.
This Court’s recent series of opinions regarding mitigating evidence dictates that on a case by case examination said evidence may or may not rise to the level that causes it to be beyond the scope of the special issues of the Texas capital murder sentencing scheme. I remain with the majority on this view. This opinion correctly analyzes the evidence admitted and correctly concludes that the statutory special issues provided an adequate vehicle for the jury’s consideration of mitigating evidence in the appellant’s case and no special instruction regarding the evidence was neces*288sary. The opinion in my view goes beyond permissible bounds when it concludes that “Moreover, we perceive no long held belief by the American people that those lawfully convicted of murder who have strong devotion to family, friends and religion are less culpable or blameworthy than those who murder and have no such excuse [footnote omitted].” Since I am unwilling to concede that I share that perception, I disavow said language and concur in the result only.