Court Opinion

ID: 9620532
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:43:36.299489+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:04:51.458462
License: Public Domain

Undercofler, Presiding Justice,
dissenting.
The majority opinion has found a verdict where none exists. It is like a skyhook. It may be a good idea but there is nothing to support it. From time immemorial the failure of a jury to reach a verdict resulting in a mistrial permits the matter to be retried. The statutes relied upon by the majority do not alter this rule. They merely require the jury to be precise in its verdict where the death penalty is under consideration. However, they clearly contemplate a jury verdict. "Unless the jury trying the cases makes a finding of at least one statutory aggravating circumstance and recommends the death sentence in its verdict, the court shall not sentence the defendant to death . . .” Code Ann. § 26-3102. (Emphasis supplied.) "Upon the conclusion of the evidence and arguments, the judge shall give the appropriate instructions, and the jury shall retire to determine whether any mitigating or aggravating circumstances, as defined in section 27-2534.1, exist and whether to recommend mercy for the defendant. Upon the findings of the jury, the judge shall fix a sentence within the limits *562prescribed by law.” Code Ann. § 27-2503 (b). (Emphasis supplied.)
Also a "hung jury” has never been construed as double jeopardy under the Federal or State Constitution. Likewise it is not double jeopardy under Georgia statutes. "Termination [of the trial] under any of the following circumstances is not improper:... (2) The trial court finds that termination is necessary because . . . (c) The jury is unable to agree upon a verdict...” Code Ann. § 26-507 (e).