Court Opinion

ID: 9560607
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 17:52:13.741559+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:13:02.572929
License: Public Domain

JOHNSON, Judge,
specially concurring.
I agree with the Court that the conviction for First Degree Murder of appellant should be affirmed, but I most reluctantly must also agree that the matter must be vacated as to the sentence and remand the case for resentencing. I agree with the opinion of the majority as stated by Judge Brett that this Court does have the power and the authority, both under the Oklahoma Constitution and the Federal Constitution, to reweigh the remaining valid aggravating circumstances in the event any of the aggravating circumstances are thrown out for any reason. Clemons v. Mississippi, 494 U.S. 738, 110 S.Ct. 1441, 108 L.Ed.2d 725 (1990). This Court has recently held the same as it relates to our State procedure. Stout v. State, 817 P.2d 737 (Okl.Cr.1991).
*894This specially concurring opinion, therefore, reiterates what Judge Brett has said as it relates to the power of the Court, but I needed to make a statement as it relates to when the case should be sent back for resentencing. It is the opinion of the writer that if a doubt exists in the mind of any appellate judge as it relates to the reweighing and what affect the improper aggravator would have had on the outcome of the case, then the benefit of the doubt should be given to a defendant and the matter sent back for resentencing. It seems that justice would be served in this regard and also that it is far easier to have the additional trial then to go through the numerous appeals that would be involved only to have it later sent back for resentencing. Therefore, I specially concur with the majority in this matter.