graham collins argued october decided january petitioner graham capital murder conviction death sentence became final unsuccessfully seeking postconviction relief texas state courts filed habeas corpus action federal district alleging inter alia three special issues sentencing jury required answer state capital sentencing statute existence prevented jury giving effect consistent eighth fourteenth amendments mitigating evidence youth unstable family background positive character traits affirming district denial relief appeals reviewed holdings constitutional requirement sentencer permitted consider act upon relevant mitigating evidence put forth capital defendant ruled graham jury give adequate mitigating effect evidence question way answering special issues held graham claim barred relief seeks require announcement new rule constitutional law contravention principles set forth teague lane plurality opinion pp holding dictated precedent existing time defendant conviction became final constitutes new rule absent applicability one two exceptions applied announced case collateral review penry lynaugh thus determinative question whether reasonable jurists hearing graham claim felt compelled existing precedent rule favor see saffle parks pp said reasonable jurists hearing graham claim felt existing precedent dictated vacatur death sentence within teague meaning contrary joint opinion justices stewart powell stevens jurek texas reasonably read upheld constitutionality statutory scheme graham sentenced including special issues satisfied petitioner mitigating evidence including age given constitutionally adequate consideration course jury deliberation special issues moreover lockett ohio plurality opinion expressly embraced jurek holding eddings oklahoma signaled retreat conclusion thus likely reasonable jurists found cases texas statute satisfied commands eighth amendment permitted graham place jury whatever mitigating evidence show including age focusing jury attention upon evidence revealed capacity deliberation prospects rehabilitation nothing cases extent relevant undermine analysis even penry supra upon graham chiefly relies reasonably read suggest mitigating evidence adequately considered texas procedures answer determinative question teague pp new rule graham seeks fall within either teague exceptions first exception plainly application graham rule neither decriminalize class conduct prohibit imposition capital punishment particular class persons see saffle supra second exception watershed rules implicating fundamental fairness accuracy also inapplicable since denying graham special jury instructions concerning mitigating evidence seriously diminish likelihood obtaining accurate determination sentencing proceeding see butler mckellar pp white delivered opinion rehnquist scalia kennedy thomas joined thomas filed concurring opinion post stevens filed dissenting opinion post souter filed dissenting opinion blackmun stevens joined post michael tigar argued cause petitioner briefs jeffrey pokorak charles palmer assistant attorney general texas argued cause respondent brief dan morales attorney general william zapalac assistant attorney general pryor first assistant attorney general mary keller deputy attorney general michael hodge assistant attorney general steven rosenfeld allen cazier filed brief miguel richardson amicus curiae urging reversal justice white delivered opinion case asked decide whether jury sentenced petitioner gary graham death able give effect consistent eighth fourteenth amendments mitigating evidence graham youth family background positive character traits case comes us collateral review however must first decide whether relief petitioner seeks require announcement new rule constitutional law contravention principles set forth teague lane concluding graham claim barred teague affirm night may graham accosted bobby grant lambert parking lot houston texas grocery store attempted grab wallet lambert resisted graham drew pistol shot death five months later jury rejected graham defense mistaken identity convicted capital murder violation tex penal code ann sentencing phase graham trial state offered evidence graham murder lambert commenced week violent attacks graham committed string robberies several assaults one rape graham contest evidence rather mitigation defense offered testimony graham stepfather grandmother concerning upbringing positive character traits stepfather joe samby testified graham lived worked natural father typically visited mother twice week real nice respectable person samby testified graham pitch family chores graham father two young children buy clothes children try give food graham grandmother emma chron testified graham lived throughout childhood mother hospitalized periodically nervous condition chron also stated never known graham violent disrespectful attended church regularly growing loved lord closing arguments jury defense counsel depicted graham criminal behavior aberrational urged jury take graham youth account deciding punishment accord capital sentencing statute effect graham jury instructed answer three special issues whether conduct defendant caused death deceased committed deliberately reasonable expectation death deceased another result raised evidence whether conduct defendant killing deceased unreasonable response provocation deceased art vernon jury unanimously answered questions affirmative required statute sentenced graham death art texas criminal appeals affirmed graham conviction sentence unpublished opinion graham unsuccessfully sought postconviction relief texas state courts following year graham petitioned writ habeas corpus federal district pursuant contending inter alia sentencing jury unable give effect mitigating evidence within confines statutory special issues district denied relief appeals fifth circuit denied graham petition certificate probable cause appeal graham lynaugh appeals found graham claim foreclosed recent decision franklin lynaugh held sentencing jury fully able consider give effect mitigating evidence defendant clean prison disciplinary record way answering texas special issues graham petition writ certiorari pending announced decision penry lynaugh holding evidence defendant mental retardation abused childhood given mitigating effect jury within framework special issues granted graham petition vacated judgment remanded reconsideration light penry graham lynaugh remand divided panel appeals reversed district vacated graham death sentence rehearing en banc appeals vacated panel decision reinstated prior mandate affirming district reviewed holdings constitutional requirement sentencer permitted consider act upon relevant mitigating evidence put forward capital defendant rejected graham claim merits noted upheld texas capital sentencing statute facial attack jurek texas acknowledging constitutionality texas procedures turns whether enumerated questions allow consideration particularized mitigating factors quoting jurek supra noting petitioner jurek proffered mitigating evidence young age employment history aid family appeals concluded least jurek must stand proposition mitigating factors relative youth evidence reflecting good character traits steady employment helping others adequately covered second special issue concerning defendant risk future dangerousness penry hold otherwise observed time new rule teague purposes ibid accordingly ruled jury sentenced graham give adequate mitigating effect evidence youth unstable childhood positive character traits way answering texas special issues granted certiorari affirm ii case us graham petition writ federal habeas corpus must determine threshold matter whether granting relief seeks create new rule constitutional law penry lynaugh supra see also teague lane plurality opinion teague new rules applied announced cases collateral review unless fall one two exceptions penry supra restriction review applies capital cases involving death penalty stringer black sawyer smith saffle parks butler mckellar holding constitutes new rule within meaning teague breaks new ground imposes new obligation federal government dictated precedent existing time defendant conviction became final teague supra emphasis original dispute decision announces new rule expressly overrules prior decision difficult determine whether announce new rule decision extends reasoning prior cases saffle parks leading purpose federal habeas review ensur state courts conduct criminal proceedings accordance constitution interpreted time th ose proceedings ibid held new rule principle validates reasonable good faith interpretations existing precedents made state courts butler mckellar principle adheres even good faith interpretations shown contrary later decisions ibid thus unless reasonable jurists hearing petitioner claim time conviction became final felt compelled existing precedent rule favor barred saffle parks supra petitioner conviction sentence became final september time filing petition certiorari judgment affirming conviction expired see griffith kentucky surveying legal landscape existed conclude anything clear reasonable jurists petitioner sentencing proceeding comport constitution years since furman georgia identified struggled harmonize two competing commandments eighth amendment one hand furman emphasized must limit channel discretion judges juries ensure death sentences meted wantonly freakishly stewart concurring emphasized subsequent cases must confer sentencer sufficient discretion take account character record individual offender circumstances particular offense ensure death appropriate punishment specific case woodson north carolina plurality opinion stewart powell stevens four years furman day woodson announced jurek texas examined statutory scheme graham sentenced concluded struck appropriate balance constitutional concerns thus rejected attack entire statutory scheme imposing death penalty particular attack special issues well set arrived judgment joint opinion justices stewart powell stevens observed texas adopted list aggravating circumstances justify imposition death penalty action narrowing categories murders death sentence may ever imposed serves much purpose joint opinion went say constitutionality capital sentencing system also requires sentencing authority consider mitigating circumstances since texas statute speak mitigating circumstances instead directs jury answer three questions constitutionality texas procedures turns whether enumerated questions allow consideration particularized mitigating factors joint opinion recognized texas criminal appeals held determining likelihood defendant continuing threat society jury consider whether defendant significant criminal record consider range severity prior criminal conduct look age defendant whether time commission offense acting duress domination another also consider whether defendant extreme form mental emotional pressure something less perhaps insanity emotions average man however inflamed withstand thus texas law essentially requires one five aggravating circumstances found defendant found guilty capital murder considering whether impose death sentence jury may asked consider whatever evidence mitigating circumstances defense bring thus appears georgia florida texas capital sentencing procedure guides focuses jury objective consideration particularized circumstances individual offense individual offender impose sentence death essential jury possible relevant information individual defendant whose fate must determine texas law clearly assures evidence adduced texas capital sentencing procedures like georgia florida violate eighth fourteenth amendments narrowing definition capital murder texas essentially said must least one statutory aggravating circumstance murder case death sentence may even considered authorizing defense bring jury separate sentencing hearing whatever mitigating circumstances relating individual defendant adduced texas ensured sentencing jury adequate guidance enable perform sentencing function providing prompt judicial review jury decision statewide jurisdiction texas provided means promote evenhanded rational consistent imposition death sentences law system serves assure sentences death wantonly freakishly imposed violate constitution furman georgia stewart concurring two years jurek another splintered decision lockett ohio invalidated ohio death penalty statute prevented sentencer considering certain categories relevant mitigating evidence plurality consisting chief justice burger justices stewart powell stevens stated constitutional infirmities ohio statute best understood comparing statutes upheld gregg proffitt jurek plurality proceeded recounting process texas statute held constitutional jurek permitted sentencer consider whatever mitigating circumstances defendant show emphasizing individualized sentencing decision essential capital cases plurality concluded perfect procedure deciding cases governmental authority used impose death statute prevents sentencer capital cases giving independent mitigating weight aspects defendant character record circumstances offense proffered mitigation creates risk death penalty imposed spite factors may call less severe penalty plurality rule embraced majority four years later eddings oklahoma overturned death sentence ground judge entered felt bound state law disregard mitigating evidence concerning defendant troubled youth emotional disturbance held ust state may statute preclude sentencer considering mitigating factor neither may sentencer refuse consider matter law relevant mitigating evidence emphasis omitted see also hitchcock dugger skipper south carolina eddings opinion rested lockett made mention jurek say reasonable jurists considering petitioner claim felt cases dictated vacatur petitioner death sentence see teague contrary readers least cases reasonably read upholding constitutional validity texas capital sentencing scheme respect mitigating evidence otherwise lockett expressly embraced jurek holding eddings signaled retreat conclusion seems us reasonable jurists found cases texas statute satisfied commands eighth amendment permitted petitioner place jury whatever mitigating evidence show including age focusing jury attention upon evidence revealed defendant capacity deliberation prospects rehabilitation find nothing recent cases extent relevant undermine analysis franklin lynaugh rejected claim texas special issues provided inadequate vehicle jury consideration evidence defendant clean prison disciplinary record plurality observed resolving second texas special issue jury surely free weigh evaluate petitioner disciplinary record bore character character measured likely future behavior moreover plurality found unavailing petitioner reliance statement eddings sentencing jury may precluded considering relevant mitigating evidence statement leaves unanswered question relevant lockett supra answers question least part making clear state take realm relevant sentencing considerations questions defendant character record circumstances offense lockett hold state role structuring giving shape jury consideration mitigating factors citations omitted brings us penry lynaugh upon petitioner chiefly relies case overturned prisoner death sentence finding texas special issues provided genuine opportunity jury give mitigating effect evidence mental retardation abused childhood considered factors mitigating diminished defendant ability control impulses evaluate consequences conduct therefore reduced moral culpability texas special issues permitted jury consider evidence necessarily way benefit defendant although penry evidence mental impairment childhood abuse indeed relevance future dangerousness inquiry relevance aggravating penry mental retardation history abuse thus sword may diminish blameworthiness crime even indicates probability dangerous future whatever relevance penry evidence may two special issues tenuous overcome aggravating potential impossible give meaningful mitigating effect penry evidence way answering special issues concluded penry constitutionally entitled instructions informing jury consider give effect penry evidence declining impose death penalty read penry effecting sea change view constitutionality former texas death penalty statute broadly suggest invalidity special issues framework indeed reading penry inconsistent conclusion case announcing new rule within meaning teague lane see penry supra explained subsequent cases extent penry claim texas system prevented jury giving mitigating effect evidence mental retardation abuse childhood decision claim require creation new rule surprising lockett eddings command state must allow jury give effect mitigating evidence making sentencing decision penry contention texas barred jury acting contrast contention state altogether prevented parks jury considering weighing giving effect mitigating evidence parks put rather parks contention state unconstitutionally limited manner mitigating evidence may considered concluded former contention come rule lockett eddings latter saffle parks moreover convinced penry extended cover sorts mitigating evidence graham suggests without wholesale abandonment jurek perhaps also franklin lynaugh noted jurek reasonably read holding circumstance youth given constitutionally adequate consideration deciding special issues see reason regard circumstances graham family background positive character traits different light graham evidence transient upbringing otherwise nonviolent character closely resembles jurek evidence age employment history familial ties penry evidence mental retardation harsh physical abuse dissent franklin made clear virtually mitigating evidence capable viewed bearing defendant moral culpability apart relevance particular concerns embodied texas special issues see franklin stevens dissenting seems us however reading penry petitioner urges thereby holding defendant entitled special instructions whenever offer mitigating evidence arguable relevance beyond special issues require cases fourth special issue put jury mitigating evidence whether relevant three questions lead believe death penalty imposed franklin plurality rejected precisely contention finding irreconcilable holding jurek see franklin supra affirm conclusion today accepting graham submission unmistakably result new rule teague see saffle parks supra sum even penry reasonably read suggest graham mitigating evidence adequately considered former texas procedures relevant inquiry teague rather determinative question whether reasonable jurists reading case law existed concluded graham sentencing constitutionally infirm say reasonable jurists deemed compelled accept graham claim say even benefit subsequent decision penry reasonable jurists one mind ruling graham claim today ruling graham seeks therefore new rule teague decided relief graham seeks require announcement new rule teague next consider whether rule nonetheless fall within one two exceptions recognized teague new rule principle first exception permits retroactive application new rule rule places class private conduct beyond power state proscribe see teague addresses substantive categorical guarante accorded constitution rule prohibiting certain category punishment class defendants status offense saffle parks quoting penry plainly exception application rule graham seeks neither decriminalize class conduct prohibit imposition capital punishment particular class persons second exception permits federal courts collateral review announce watershed rules criminal procedure implicating fundamental fairness accuracy criminal proceeding ibid whatever precise scope exception clearly meant apply small core rules requiring observance procedures implicit concept ordered liberty teague supra quoting mackey harlan concurring judgments part dissenting part turn quoting palko connecticut see also butler mckellar supra plurality cautioned teague ecause operate premise procedures central accurate determination innocence guilt believe unlikely many components basic due process yet emerge believe denying graham special jury instructions concerning mitigating evidence youth family background positive character traits seriously diminish ed likelihood obtaining accurate determination sentencing proceeding see butler mckellar supra accordingly find second teague exception inapplicable well judgment appeals therefore affirmed footnotes penry held result dictated prior decisions eddings oklahoma lockett ohio plurality opinion within sense required teague lane thus rule applied cases collateral review see penry contrary made clear case limited nature question presented penry challenge facial validity texas death penalty statute upheld eighth amendment challenge jurek texas dispute types mitigating evidence fully considered sentencer absence special jury instructions see franklin lynaugh plurality opinion concurring judgment instead penry argues facts case jury unable fully consider give effect mitigating evidence mental retardation abused background answering three special issues justice thomas concurring deciding case basis teague lane hac avoided direct reconsideration penry lynaugh join opinion agree holding sought graham compelled cases upon penry rests therefore adopted new rule teague purposes write separately however make clear believe penry wrongly decided several members commented tension cases constitutional relevance mitigating circumstances capital sentencing decisions applying principle first articulated furman georgia eighth fourteenth amendments prohibit giving sentencers unguided discretion imposing death penalty franklin lynaugh plurality opinion california brown concurring mccleskey kemp blackmun dissenting view texas largely resolved tension use three special issues repeatedly approved penry however war former texas scheme extreme statement mitigating line penry creates unavoidable tension presents evident danger important recall motivated members genesis modern capital punishment case law furman georgia decided atmosphere suffused concern race bias administration death penalty particularly southern particularly rape cases three petitioners black lucious jackson black man sentenced death georgia raping white woman elmer branch sentenced death texas rape white widow william henry furman faced death penalty georgia unintentionally killing white homeowner burglary see douglas concurring opinion concurring judgment death penalty cases unconstitutional justice douglas stressed potential role racial illegitimate prejudices system sentencing juries boundless discretion thought cruel unusual apply death penalty selectively minorities society willing see suffer though countenance general application penalty across board citing studies reports suggesting death sentence disproportionately imposed carried poor negro members unpopular groups especially cases rape internal quotation marks omitted justice douglas concluded discretion judges juries imposing death penalty enables penalty selectively applied feeding prejudices accused poor despised lacking political clout member suspect unpopular minority saving social position may protected position unquestionable importance race furman reflected fact three original four petitioners furman cases represented naacp legal defense educational fund inc representation part concerted national litigative campaign constitutionality death penalty waged small number ambitious lawyers academics fund behalf burt disorder death penalty constitution although efforts began rather modestly assisting indigent black defendants isolated criminal cases usually rape cases racial discrimination suspected lawyers fund ultimately devised implemented without prompting strategy litigation death penalty see generally meltsner cruel unusual capital punishment hereinafter meltsner muller legal defense fund capital punishment campaign distorting influence death yale rev campaign part larger movement carried abolitionist lawyers whose agenda social legal change depended activist judiciary unmistakable preference courts especially federal courts came direct response willingness redraw america ethical legal map task statehouses executive mansions slow tackle meltsner mustering every conceivable argument ethical legal polemical theological speculative statistical abolishing capital punishment fund lawyers civil rights advocates supplied empirical rhetorical support observations justice douglas marshall stewart respect race bias see brief petitioner aikens california pp brief petitioner jackson georgia racial figures men executed crime rape since follows white negro georgia figures white negro footnotes omitted see also brief naacp et al amici curiae aikens california supra app discussing particular history south use death penalty rape cases prior civil war typical rapes attempted rapes committed black men upon white women punishable mandatory death castration rapes committed whites punishable death brief synagogue council america et al amici curiae aikens california supra positive relationship death penalty race strong crime involved rape particularly two present cases rape white women negroes relationship almost end justice douglas members concluded say facts disclosed records defendants sentenced death black furman douglas concurring see stewart concurring racial discrimination proved focused generally uncontrolled discretion placed judges juries unbridled discretion argued practically invited sentencers vent personal prejudices deciding fate accused see brief petitioner furman georgia jury knew nothing else man sentenced except age race laws standards govern selection penalty people live die dependent whim one man douglas concurring justice stewart observed petitioners among capriciously selected random handful upon sentence death fact imposed concluded eighth fourteenth amendments tolerate sentencing procedures allow penalty wantonly freakishly inflicted concurring opinion practice delegating unguided authority practice largely motivated desire mitigate harshness law bring community judgment bear sentence actually allowed jury discretion without violating trust statutory policy refuse impose death penalty matter circumstances crime white concurring sum concluded standardless sentencing scheme rational basis justice brennan put distinguish die many go prison concurring opinion see also white concurring meaningful basis distinguishing doubted behind condemnation unguided discretion lay specter racial prejudice paradigmatic capricious irrational sentencing factor inception mitigating line cases sprang part concerns underlay furman response furman enacted new death penalty statutes see gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens five cases decided single day passed constitutionality representative sample new laws principal opinion case joint opinion justices stewart powell stevens lead case gregg georgia justices squarely rejected argument death penalty cruel unusual circumstances rather focused capital sentencing procedures distilling furman two complementary rationalizing principles sentencing discretion discretion given sentencer must directed limited avoid wholly arbitrary capricious action gregg discretion must exercised informed manner ibid furman read holding minimize risk death penalty imposed capriciously selected group offenders decision impose ha guided standards sentencing authority focus particularized circumstances crime defendant gregg jury given guidance regarding factors crime defendant state representing organized society deems particularly relevant sentencing decision otherwise system function consistent rational manner internal quotation marks omitted gregg requirement sentencer guided information particular defendant particular circumstances crime words traditionally accepted sentencing criteria see added second dimension furman rule discretion jury discretion must focused rational factors decision based information circumstances crime accused individual merely member group furman example jury given almost particularized information accused furman jury knew black according statement trial years old worked superior upholstery took jury one hour minutes return verdict guilt sentence death furman brennan concurring citations omitted moreover irrelevant jury determination killing committed furman accidental ibid without focus characteristics defendant circumstances crime uninformed jury tempted resort irrational considerations class race animus justices stewart powell stevens applied principles upholding guided discretion procedures georgia florida texas striking mandatory death penalty provisions north carolina louisiana georgia florida texas schemes held constitutional guide focuse jury objective consideration particularized circumstances individual offense individual offender jurek texas joint opinion stewart powell stevens essential factor jury ha possible relevant information individual defendant whose fate must determine moreover georgia statute featured important additional safeguard arbitrariness caprice provision automatic appeal death sentence required state determine inter alia whether sentence imposed influence passion prejudice whether disproportionate sentences imposed similar cases gregg supra mandatory death penalty statutes hand held violate eighth fourteenth amendments three reasons first justices believed mandatory death penalty departed contemporary standards punishment woodson north carolina plurality opinion second experience suggested statutes simply papered problem unguided unchecked jury discretion provoking arbitrary jury nullification thus nstead rationalizing sentencing process mandatory scheme may well exacerbate problem identified furman resting penalty determination particular jury willingness act lawlessly see roberts louisiana plurality opinion third mandatory nature penalty prevented sentencer considering character record individual offender circumstances particular offense thus treated convicted persons uniquely individual human beings members faceless undifferentiated mass woodson supra latter concern echoed justice douglas suggestion sentences death might fallen disproportionately upon member suspect unpopular minority furman supra one think however eliminating explicit jury discretion treating defendants equally mandatory death penalty scheme perfectly reasonable legislative response concerns expressed furman see roberts supra white dissenting see also walton arizona scalia concurring part concurring judgment justice white surely correct concluding state constitutionally forbidden provide commission certain crimes conclusively establishes criminal character deserves death roberts supra see also roberts louisiana rehnquist dissenting sumner shuman white dissenting also agree plurality woodson roberts erred equating raw power jury nullification unlimited sentencing discretion condemned furman roberts supra white dissenting curious counterintuitive outcomes cases upholding sentences death imposed statutes explicitly preserved sentencer discretion vacating imposed mandatory provisions precisely perceived potential arbitrary uninformed discretion might measure attributable powerful influence racial concerns may confronted mandatory sentencing provision occasion flesh disagreement prohibition schemes significant point present purposes woodson sumner invalidation mandatory death penalty guaranteed sentencers exercise degree discretion every capital case precedents turn exercise discretion unavoidably bound two requirements furman identified gregg first foremost sentencing authority provided standards guide use information developed sentencing second support principle sentencer apprised information relevant imposition sentence gregg discovering two requirements constitution ensuring woodson progeny always play put seemingly permanent business supervising capital sentencing procedures better view cruel unusual punishments clause intended place substantive limitations punishments procedural requirements sentencing see hudson mcmillian thomas dissenting gardner florida rehnquist dissenting stare decisis requires make efforts adhere eighth amendment precedents see walton arizona supra scalia concurring part concurring judgment mitigating branch death penalty jurisprudence began outgrowth second two requirements plurality conclusion lockett ohio sentencer capital case must precluded considering mitigating factor aspect defendant character record circumstances offense opinion burger emphasis deleted effectively guarantees sentencer access categories information favorable defendant thus lockett built premise given credence gregg sentencing discretion granted generally agreed sentencing judge possession fullest information possible concerning defendant life characteristics ighly relevant internal quotation marks omitted sentencing statute issue lockett failed satisfy requirement plurality view eliminated jury consideration significant facts defendant comparatively minor role offense adoption eddings oklahoma lockett rule corollary sentencer may categorically refuse consider relevant mitigating circumstances drew upon gregg notion capital sentencing less likely arbitrary jury exercise discretion focused particularized circumstances offender crime see eddings supra relying gregg supra therefore although said lockett eddings represent return days lockett supra white concurring part dissenting part concurring judgments root logical attenuated connection rationalizing principle furman prophylactic rule eddings eddings protects accused opportunity appris jury version information relevant sentencing decision early mitigating cases may thus read little safeguarding adversary process sentencing proceedings conferring defendant affirmative right place relevant evidence sentencer see skipper south carolina cf comparing eddings elemental due process requirement defendant sentenced death basis information opportunity deny explain gardner florida consistent admittedly narrow reading describe eddings kind rule evidence governs admissibility proffered evidence purport define substantive standards criteria sentencers apply considering facts requiring sentencers allowed consider relevant mitigating circumstances mean decision whether impose death penalty must based upon defendant evidence evidence must considered way defendant wishes mean say circumstances necessarily relevant constitutional purposes conceivable mitigating value application eddings eclipse primary imperative furman state define relevant sentencing criteria provide rational standards guide sentencer use evidence aspect furman must operate part independently eddings rule essential effectiveness furman since providing relevant information sentencer consideration nothing avoid central danger sentencing discretion may exercised irrationally realize course eddings susceptible expansive interpretations see walton scalia concurring part concurring judgment eddings rule completely exploded whatever coherence notion guided discretion making random mitigation constitutional requirement mccleskey kemp limit sentencer consideration relevant circumstance cause decline impose death penalty respect state channel sentencer discretion must allow consider relevant information offered defendant even narrow reading eddings still tension case law eddings implies something outer boundary primary furman principle sentencing standards chosen state may stingy prevent altogether consideration constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence exception penry lynaugh recent mitigating cases careful read eddings narrowly effort accommodate competing commandments eddings furman ante held must free channel direct sentencer consideration evidence whether mitigating aggravating bears sentencing provided state categorically preclude sentencer considering constitutionally relevant mitigating circumstances see walton supra constitutional requirement unfettered sentencing discretion jury free structure shape consideration mitigating evidence effort achieve rational equitable administration death penalty internal quotation marks omitted boyde california effect franklin lynaugh plurality opinion see also walton supra requirement individualized sentencing capital cases satisfied long state altogether prevent sentencer considering type relevant mitigating evidence blystone pennsylvania saffle parks understanding preserves original rationale upholding texas sentencing statute guides focuses jury objective consideration particularized circumstances allowing defendant bring jury attention whatever relevant mitigating circumstances may able show jurek thus reaffirming constitutionality texas system special issues expressed satisfaction former texas scheme successfully reconciled tension exists eddings furman see franklin lynaugh supra plurality opinion context texas system therefore unprepared present sweep away entire mitigating line precedent token however expansive reading eddings ultimately prevail forced conclude eddings rule construed truly rationally irreconcilable furman basis deserving rejection see walton supra scalia concurring part concurring judgment ii unfortunately narrow reading eddings virtually impossible penry whatever contribution rationality consistency made furman taken back penry process upset careful balance texas achieved use special issues penry held texas special issues allow jury consider give effect mitigating evidence mental retardation childhood abuse even though defendant full unfettered opportunity present evidence jury evidence relevance penry moral culpability beyond scope special issues emphasis added thus persuaded jury might unable express reasoned moral response evidence determining whether death appropriate punishment ibid emphasis added see post contrary dissent view see post notions defendant may sentenced death mitigating circumstances whose relevance goes beyond scope state sentencing criteria jury must able express reasoned moral response evidence presented pedigree prior holdings originated entirely whole cloth two recent concurring opinions see franklin supra concurring judgment california brown concurring together notions render meaningless rational standards state may channel focus jury discretion thus negate central tenet furman death penalty cases since penry imposes constitutional imperative scheme simply dumps jury sympathetic factors bearing upon defendant background character circumstances offense jury may decide without guidance whether defendant deserves death penry scalia concurring part dissenting part unguided emotional moral response demands allowed outpouring personal reaction circumstances defendant life personality unfocused sympathy ibid justice souter reading penry bears fears dissent require special issues construed enough scope allow full consideration mitigating potential post jury free give full effect defendant sympathetic evidence purposes including purposes specifically permitted questions post internal quotation marks emphasis omitted determination death fitting punishment particular crime necessarily moral one whether made jury judge legislature beware word moral used opinion word vessel nearly infinite capacity may allow sentencer express benevolence may allow cloak latent animus judgment consider moral response may secretly based caprice even outright prejudice review death penalty procedures turns whether jurors give full mitigating effect defendant background character post whether juries free disregard state chosen sentencing criteria return verdict majority label moral thrown open back door arbitrary irrational sentencing see penry supra scalia concurring part dissenting part decision whether impose death penalty unitary one unguided discretion impose unguided discretion impose well holding jury free deem penry mental retardation sad childhood relevant whatever purpose wished come full circle permitting requiring furman condemned penry denied holding signaled return unbridled jury discretion reasoned long class murderers subject capital punishment narrowed constitutional infirmity procedure allows jury recommend mercy based mitigating evidence introduced defendant citing gregg joint opinion white concurring judgment cf mccleskey kemp discussing benefits defendant discretionary leniency thus dissent suggests state sufficiently narrowed class murderers jury discretion select individuals favored live must remain effectively unbounded see post turns reason head however argue approved sentencing systems continue permit juries exercise degree discretionary leniency eighth amendment necessarily requires discretion unguided unlimited respect class murderers subject capital punishment withhold death penalty sympathy defendant member favored group different decision impose penalty basis negative bias matters narrow class defendants crimes surely exactly petitioners legal defense fund argued woodson roberts see supra manifest power lenient also power discriminate mccleskey kemp supra quoting davis discretionary justice see also roberts white dissenting undeniable unfettered discretion jury save defendant death major contributing factor developments led us invalidate death penalty furman consistently recognized discretion accord mercy even largely motivated desire mitigate indistinguishable discretion impose death penalty furman white concurring condemning unguided discretion allows jury refuse impose death penalty matter circumstances crime emphasis added see also jurek white concurring judgment texas scheme constitutional extend juries discretionary power dispense mercy roberts supra joint opinion louisiana statute plainly invites jurors choose verdict lesser offense whenever feel death penalty inappropriate reason twice refused disapprove instructions directing jurors swayed mere sympathy emphasized instructions foste eighth amendment need reliability determination death appropriate punishment specific case california brown quoting woodson joint opinion accord saffle parks whether juror feels sympathy capital defendant likely depend juror emotions actual evidence regarding crime defendant difficult reconcile rule allowing fate defendant turn vagaries particular jurors emotional sensitivities longstanding recognition capital sentencing must reliable accurate penry reintroduces risks sought eliminate simple directive events provide rational standards capital sentencing years acknowledged relationship undirected jury discretion danger discriminatory sentencing danger held inconsistent eighth amendment single holding much violence many settled precedents area fundamental constitutional law command force stare decisis view penry overruled iii major emphasis throughout eighth amendment jurisprudence reasoned rather moral sentencing continually sought verify capital procedures provide rational basis predictably determining defendants shall sentenced death furman supra brennan concurring see also spaziano florida california brown supra barclay florida stevens concurring judgment constant theme cases emphasis procedural protections intended ensure death penalty imposed consistent rational manner mccleskey kemp brennan dissenting oncern arbitrariness focuses rationality system whole system features significant probability sentencing decisions influenced impermissible considerations regarded rational absence mandatory sentencing one means satisfying furman demands providing objective standards ensure sentencer discretion guided channeled examination specific factors proffitt florida joint opinion stewart powell stevens rule eddings may important procedural safeguard complements furman eddings promote consistency much less rationality quite opposite penry demonstrates imperative therefore give full effect standards designed state legislatures focusing sentencer deliberations long since settled question constitutionality death penalty recognized capital punishment expression society moral outrage particularly offensive conduct process channeling th instinct retribution administration criminal justice serves important purpose promoting stability society governed law gregg joint opinion quoting furman supra stewart concurring death penalty constitutional must surely able administer pursuant rational procedures comport eighth amendment basic requirements view enforce permanent truce eddings furman need conclude consistent eighth amendment channel sentencer consideration defendant arguably mitigating evidence limit relevance evidence reasonable manner long state deny defendant full fair opportunity apprise sentencer constitutionally relevant circumstances three texas special issues easily satisfy standard providing juries consider mitigating circumstances insofar bear upon deliberateness future dangerousness provocation texas adopted rational scheme meets two concerns eighth amendment jurisprudence penry scalia concurring part dissenting part predicate moreover believe leave elected state legislators representing organized society decide factors particularly relevant sentencing decision gregg supra although lockett eddings indicate general matter state take realm relevant sentencing considerations questions defendant character record circumstances offense hold state role structuring giving shape jury consideration mitigating factors franklin lynaugh plurality ultimately must come back recognition retain traditional authority determine particular evidence within broad categories described lockett eddings relevant first instance skipper south carolina powell concurring judgment quoting lockett since special expertise deciding whether particular categories evidence speculative insubstantial merit consideration sentencer accordingly also propose appropriate role review reasonableness state determinations specific circumstances within broad bounds general categories mandated eddings relevant capital sentencing every month defendants claim special victimization file petitions certiorari ask us declare new class evidence mitigating relevance beyond scope state sentencing criteria may evidence voluntary intoxication drug use even astonishingly evidence defendant suffers chronic antisocial personality disorder sociopath see pet cert demouchette collins cert denied carry business makes mockery concerns racial discrimination inspired decision furman reasons disturb effectiveness texas former system decided two cases together furman georgia jackson georgia branch texas fourth case aikens california argued furman dismissed moot furman surprised discover victim home trying escape accidentally tripped wire causing pistol fire single shot closed door thereby killing victim see brennan concurring according published account one legal defense fund lawyer participated campaign fund though experience racial discrimination rape cases south seriously consider broader offensive death penalty three members opinion dissenting denial certiorari offered strong foundation strategy meltsner see rudolph alabama goldberg joined douglas brennan dissenting denial cert calling decide whether eighth fourteenth amendments permit imposition death penalty convicted rapist neither taken endangered human life suggesting several lines argument form questions seem relevant worthy consideration see also meltsner awyers attempting thrust egalitarian humanitarian reforms reluctant society prefer use courts federal judges somewhat insulated ebb flow political power public opinion legislators executives federal government later acknowledged southern data revealed among convicted rape blacks selected disproportionately death sentence app brief amicus curiae gregg georgia furthermore government stated question conclusion years question southern discrimination rape cases eventually struck death penalty convicted rapists eighth amendment basis discriminatory application excessive disproportionate punishment coker georgia gregg georgia proffitt florida jurek texas woodson north carolina roberts louisiana furman naacp legal defense fund represented three petitioners woodson roberts black addition contending death penalty cruel unusual punishment fund lawyers argued cases despite mandatory nature north carolina louisiana statutes process imposing penalty petitioners infected key junctures potential selective discriminatory discretion importantly possibility sentencing juries cases involving sympathetic defendants acquit convict lesser charges see brief petitioners woodson north carolina pp brief petitioner roberts louisiana pp unsuccessful petitioners gregg proffitt jurek white see brief amicus curiae gregg georgia lockett aided abetted armed robbery resulted murder drove getaway car carry robbery intend bring murder see blackmun concurring part concurring judgment lockett represented lawyers legal defense fund represented petitioners furman woodson roberts texas special issues involved considerably better job rationalizing sentencing discretion even elaborate georgia system approved gregg juries still retained power return sentence life rather death reason whatever simply based upon subjective notions right wrong woodson rehnquist dissenting regrettable predictable consequence penry lynaugh texas legislature since amended sentencing statute invites jury react subjectively circumstances including personal moral culpability defendant see art vernon supp applicable offenses committed september indeed argued already implicitly overruled penry significant respects saffle parks gave dramatically narrow reading penry reaffirming lockett ohio eddings oklahoma state free limi manner defendant mitigating evidence may considered boyde california expressly rejected significance penry conclusion reasonable juror well believed vehicle expressing view penry deserve sentenced death based upon mitigating evidence emphasis original quoting penry supra boyde held instead jury instruction run afoul eddings reasonable likelihood jury applied challenged instruction way prevents consideration constitutionally relevant evidence made clear capital sentencing proceeding inconsistent eighth amendment possibility inhibition federal sentencing reform act example congress instructed sentencing commission study difficult question whether certain specified offender characteristics relevance sentencing response directive sentencing commission issued guidelines providing among things race sex national origin creed religion socioeconomic status relevant determination sentence sentencing commission guidelines manual congress also concluded defendant education vocational skills employment record family community ties inappropriate sentencing factors thus sentencing guidelines declare factors ordinarily relevant determining whether sentence outside applicable guideline range see ussg ch pt intro comment similar guidelines seems applied capital sentencing consistent eighth amendment long contributed rationalization process justice stevens dissenting neither race defendant race victim play part decision impose death sentence justice thomas points reason believe imperative routinely violated years first held capital punishment may violate eighth amendment racial discrimination infected administration death penalty particularly southern particularly rape cases ante concurring opinion justice thomas surely correct concern racial discrimination played significant role development modern capital sentencing jurisprudence ante agree justice thomas remarkable suggestion decision penry lynaugh somehow threatens progress made eliminating racial discrimination arbitrary considerations capital sentencing determination recent years capital punishment cases erected four important safeguards arbitrary imposition death penalty first notwithstanding minority view proportionality play part analysis concluded death impermissible punishment certain offenses specifically neither crime rape kind unintentional homicide referred justice thomas ante may support death sentence see enmund florida coker georgia second corollary proportionality requirement demanded narrow class individuals eligible death penalty either statutory definitions capital murder statutory specification aggravating circumstances narrowing requirement like categorical exclusion offense rape significantly minimized risk racial bias sentencing process indeed pointed dissent mccleskey kemp strong empirical evidence adequate narrowing class offenders eradicate significant risk bias imposition death penalty third condemned use aggravating factors vague actually enhance risk unguided discretion control sentencing determination see maynard cartwright invalidating especially heinous atrocious cruel aggravating circumstance godfrey georgia invalidating outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman aggravating circumstance aggravating factor invites judgment whether murder committed member another race especially heinous inhuman may increase rather decrease chance arbitrary decisionmaking creating room influence personal prejudices view aggravating factors fail cabin sentencer discretion determination pose evident danger justice thomas warns see ante finally end process dealing narrow class offenders deemed insist sentencer permitted give effect relevant mitigating evidence offered defendant making final sentencing determination see eddings oklahoma lockett ohio already explained view class offenders sufficiently narrowed consideration relevant individual mitigating circumstances way compromises rationalizing principle ante thomas concurring furman georgia see walton arizona stevens dissenting contrary requirement sentencing decisions guided consideration relevant mitigating evidence reduces still chance decision based irrelevant factors race lockett illustrates point young black woman lockett sentenced death ohio statute permit sentencing judge consider mitigating factors character prior record age lack specific intent cause death relatively minor part crime relevant facts excluded sentencing determination less reason believe sentencer left rely irrational considerations like racial animus remain committed mitigating line precedent critical protection arbitrary discriminatory capital sentencing fully consonant principles furman nothing justice thomas opinion explains requirement sentencing decisions based relevant mitigating evidence applied penry increases risk decisions based irrelevant factor race specifically see permitting full consideration defendant mental retardation history childhood abuse penry defendant youth case way increases risk otherwise arbitrary decisionmaking justice souter whose dissent join demonstrated decision penry completely consistent capital sentencing jurisprudence view also faithful goal eradicating racial discrimination capital sentencing share justice thomas see harmelin michigan indication difference narrowing make worthwhile note time decided furman georgia addition defendants convicted murder almost defendants convicted forcible rape armed robbery kidnaping eligible death penalty see walton arizona stevens dissenting decision appears based fear acceptance mccleskey claim sound death knell capital punishment georgia society indeed forced choose racially discriminatory death penalty one provides heightened protection murder whites death penalty choice mandated constitution plain fear unfounded one lessons baldus study exist certain categories extremely serious crimes prosecutors consistently seek juries consistently impose death penalty without regard race victim race offender georgia narrow class defendants categories danger arbitrary discriminatory imposition death penalty significantly decreased eradicated justice brennan demonstrated dissenting opinion restructuring sentencing scheme surely high price pay mccleskey kemp stevens dissenting internal citation omitted see brief petitioner locket ohio justice souter justice blackmun justice stevens justice join dissenting penry lynaugh concluded petitioner seek benefit new rule claiming texas special issues permit sentencing jury case give full mitigating effect certain mitigating evidence therefore held retroactivity doctrine announced teague lane plurality opinion bar claim see distinctions claim penry presented go kind mitigating evidence presented jury consideration distance texas scheme stops short allowing full effect given evidence considered neither distinction makes difference penry prior law penry stands accordingly find bar present claims reach merits whether mitigating force petitioner youth unfortunate background traits decent character considered adequately jury instructed three texas special issues conclude reverse sentence death remand resentencing contrary judgment respectfully dissent doctrine teague lane supra state prisoner seeking federal habeas relief may receive retroactive benefit new rule law proven hard apply explained crucial term number ways justice wrote teague general case announces new rule breaks new ground imposes new obligation federal government put differently case announces new rule result dictated precedent time defendant conviction became final plurality opinion emphasis original said novelty turns whether rule represent developmen law reasonable jurists disagree sawyer smith emphasized reasonableness wholly deferential standard making clear existence conflicting authority alone imply rule resolving conflict new one stringer black one general rule emerged teague application existing precedent new factual setting amount announcing new rule see wright west joined blackmun stevens concurring judgment proffered factual distinction case consideration preexisting precedent change force precedent underlying principle applies distinction meaningful deviation precedent reasonable kennedy concurring judgment beginning point rule general application rule designed specific purpose evaluating myriad factual contexts infrequent case yields result novel forges new rule one dictated precedent souter concurring judgment teague mean course habeas petitioner must able point old case decided facts identical facts said difficult question whether particular holding presents simply new setting old rule announces new one question difficult case however answer governed penry supra first case majority adopted approach retroactivity put forward plurality teague see circumstances petitioner penry sought relief rule sought applied virtually indistinguishable circumstances presented rule decision sought graham case denied certiorari penry direct appeal penry texas texas criminal appeals affirmed graham conviction sentence death graham state graham seek certiorari cases therefore reasoning employed majority see ante decisions lockett ohio eddings oklahoma rendered petitioners conviction became final penry penry entitled benefit decisions comparable claim graham description penry claim applies indeed almost precisely graham claim case penry said challenge facial validity texas death penalty statute upheld eighth amendment challenge jurek texas dispute types mitigating evidence fully considered sentencer absence special jury instructions see franklin lynaugh plurality opinion concurring judgment instead argues facts case jury unable fully consider give effect mitigating evidence answering three special issues ibid lockett underscored jurek recognition constitutionality texas scheme turns whether enumerated questions allow consideration particularized mitigating factors jurek plurality opinion lockett indicated texas death penalty statute survived petitioner eighth fourteenth amendment attack jurek three justices concluded texas criminal appeals broadly interpreted second question despite facial narrowness permit sentencer consider whatever mitigating circumstances defendant might able show clear lockett eddings state consistent eighth fourteenth amendments prevent sentencer considering giving effect evidence relevant defendant background character circumstances offense mitigate imposing death penalty moreover facial validity texas death penalty statute upheld jurek basis assurances special issues interpreted broadly enough enable sentencing juries consider relevant mitigating evidence defendant might present rule penry seeks mitigating evidence presented texas juries must upon request given jury instructions make possible give effect mitigating evidence determining whether death penalty imposed new rule teague dictated eddings lockett moreover light assurances upon jurek based conclude relief penry seeks impos new obligation state texas teague first distinction penry claim graham type mitigating evidence involved penry went mental retardation abused childhood graham involves youthfulness unfortunate background traits decent character assertion make difference flies face justice kennedy opinion last term quoted rule general application rule designed specific purpose evaluating myriad factual contexts infrequently yiel result novel forges new rule one dictated precedent wright west opinion concurring judgment second distinction material penry evidence retardation claim mitigating effect second texas issue asks jury assess defendant future dangerousness whereas graham evidence youth decency claim point lockett eddings penry sentencing schemes must allow sentencer give full mitigating effect evidence graham claim evidence receive partial consideration much claim application preexisting rule demanding opportunity full effect penry claim retardation given effect second texas special issue thus conclusion rule petitioner sought benefit penry new necessarily follows rule petitioner graham seeks new either indeed conclusion reached even respondent concedes graham asserting existence constitutional defect cured supplemental instructions claim likewise barred brief respondent conclusion contrary rests assumption additional instruction required penry mitigating evidence without mitigating relevance second future dangerousness special issue see ante holding penry reiterates eighth amendment requirement expressed lockett eddings jury able consider fully defendant mitigating evidence penry requires separate instruction whenever evidence relevance moral culpability beyond scope special issues indeed justice scalia dissent penry recognized hat means fully consider must mean distinguish jurek consider purposes including purposes specifically permitted questions opinion dissenting relevant part emphasis original dissent argued required constitution see correctly described holding opinion penry nothing penry aside justice scalia dissent nothing controlling opinions lockett eddings suggested eighth amendment requirement obviated happenstance defendant particular mitigating evidence relevant one special issues even though may mitigating force beyond scope issue penry plainly answered teague question majority answers differently today question even respondent see fit raise penry controls respect adhere ii therefore turn merits claim properly us penry controls reasons already anticipated teague analysis bearing expansion following first grant certiorari case vacated judgment remanded reconsideration light penry see graham lynaugh panel appeals fifth circuit decided vacate graham death sentence remand graham collins appeals took case en banc however vote construed penry require additional instruction instances major mitigating thrust evidence substantially beyond scope special issues en banc also limited application penry mitigating evidence circumstances transitory uniquely severe permanent handicaps defendant burdened fault see penry lends support limitations however plainly odds controlling eighth amendment precedents purport disturb cases construed eighth amendment impose two limitations upon state capital sentencing system first determining eligible death penalty state must narrow class murderers subject capital punishment providing specific detailed guidance sentencer mccleskey kemp quoting gregg georgia proffitt florida second constitution nonetheless limits state ability narrow sentencer discretion consider relevant evidence might cause decline impose death sentence emphasis original latter limitation concerns us today cases require sentencer capital case permitted give reasoned moral response defendant mitigating evidence see california brown concurring emphasis deleted sentencer precluded considering mitigating factor aspect defendant character record circumstances offense defendant proffers basis sentence less death lockett plurality opinion emphasis original omitted understood follow conclusion ny exclusion compassionate mitigating factors stemming diverse frailties humankind relevant sentencer decision fail treat persons uniquely individual human beings mccleskey supra quoting woodson north carolina first described jurek texas scheme measured obligation assesses mitigating well aggravating evidence looking backward defendant moral culpability crime distinct strictly legal guilt forward likely behavior life taken thus first issue requires sentencer determine whether defendant acted deliberately third asks assessment provocation mitigating fault response issue demands examination past fact bearing moral significance past act second issue hand calls prediction future behavior prompting judgment moral utilitarian sense society may legitimately prefer preserve lives murderers unlikely endanger others future lives guilty pose continuing threats issues exhaust categories mitigating fact time jurek decided criminal appeals texas indicated second special issue given wide enough compass allow jury consideration diverse facts prior record character past crimes duress emotional pressure associated instant crime age defendant jurek thus reasonable expectation sentencer authority give comprehensive effect defendant mitigating evidence penry revealed however facts case confirm neither second special issues construed enough scope allow full consideration mitigating potential lockett eddings confirmed required challenges texas statute applied may sustained despite statute capacity withstand jurek facial challenge holding death sentence resulting application texas special issues upheld unless jury able consider fully defendant mitigating evidence penry perfectly straightforward application eighth amendment requirement individualized sentencing specific question penry whether mitigating evidence penry mental retardation history abuse bears penry personal culpability taken account texas special issues deciding case examined special issue turn concluded first jury instruction barred full consideration evidence retardation personal abuse first deliberate ness special issue see second insofar evidence bore personal culpability given mitigating effect issue future dangerousness latter indeed considered aggravating factor although described penry evidence sword diminish ing blameworthiness crime even indicates probability dangerous future dilemma thus presented essential conclusion second special issue failed meet state constitutional obligations point simply special issue allow jury give effect mitigating force penry evidence bore personal culpability finally concluded juror believed penry lacked moral culpability sentenced death express view answering third provocation special issue also concluded penry action reasonable response provocation sum full consideration tendency retardation history abuse mitigate moral culpability impossible graham evidence falls three distinct categories task take analytical steps undertook penry see whether sentencing jury give full mitigating effect first evidence graham youth committed murder convicted sentenced less six months crime youth may understood mitigate reducing defendant moral culpability crime emotional cognitive immaturity inexperience life render less responsible see eddings oklahoma youthfulness may also seen mitigating transitory indicating defendant less likely dangerous future penry evidence mental retardation mitigating force graham youth fully accounted first deliberateness issue given trial judge explanation issue jury formal jury instruction explained deliberate meant judge emphasized voir dire deliberate meant simply intentional see app definition hardly allowed exhaustion mitigating force youth young person may perfectly well commit crime intentionally prior cases hold youth may nonetheless treated limiting moral culpability lack experience perspective judgment expected adults eddings supra quoting bellotti baird already noted appeals answered difficulty reasoning major mitigating thrust evidence given effect second special issue calling assessment future dangerousness errors view also seen first nothing penry suggests partial consideration mitigating effect evidence satisfies constitution penry like eddings lockett plurality eighth amendment demand sentencer consider give effect mitigating evidence fully evidence relevance moral culpability beyond scope special issues constitutional standards require separate instruction authorizing complete effect given see mccleskey ny exclusion mitigating evidence inconsistent eighth amendment individualized sentencing requirements thus even future dangerousness issue allowed jury recognize graham evanescent youth tending mitigate danger imprisoned life still fail test eighth amendment jury give effect youth reducing graham moral culpability eighth amendment requires consideration mitigating evidence appeals also erred thinking second special issue adequate even take account possibility graham may less dangerous ages issue stated terms statutory question whether probability defendant commit criminal acts violence constitute continuing threat society art vernon boy killed promptly tried graham well held dangerous future reason continuing youth error limit penry cases mitigating condition permanent see answer say youth fleeting may fleeting enough sufficiently young defendant may continuing youth considered second issue aggravating mitigating case moreover possibility taking youth aggravating without recognition mitigating effect vastly intensified remarks trial judge permitting finding future dangerousness based even probability petitioner might commit minor acts criminal vandalism property scratching someone car tearing lawn high school riding motorcycle see app finally graham convicted shooting killing man robbery situation respect third special issue case petitioner penry evidence youth irrelevant reasonableness provocation deceased evidence event juror thus concluded responses special issues required imposition death penalty even though believed graham reason youth lacked moral culpability sentenced death penry without case controlled penry additional instruction required next category evidence issue graham difficult upbringing mother mental illness repeated hospitalization shifting custody one family relation another specifically held circumstances may considered mitigation particularly conduct defendant young see eddings supra upbringing might deforming enough affect capacity culpability however obviously case deliberateness said turn intention assurance first issue allows full scope mitigating effect considered youth upbringing treated aggravating future dangerousness issue mitigating potential third issue provocation youth room former texas special issues applied case take full account mitigating relevance jury might find finally graham argues jury unable take account redeeming character traits revealed evidence growing voluntarily helped parents grandparents household chores religious person attended church regularly grandmother contributed support children money earned job father accept petitioner contention jury give adequate consideration testimony matters insofar evidence tended paint graham person unlikely pose future danger jury consider second special issue insofar jury unable graham alleges give evidence effect diminish graham moral culpability brief petitioner enough say relevance evidence moral culpability simply de minimis voluntary chores church attendance relative supplying level support one children virtually bearing one culpability crime way immaturity permanent damage due events childhood may understand petitioner arguing jury allowed consider evidence revealing element value unrelated circumstances crime see franklin concurring judgment stevens dissenting address issue iii hold penry preceding eighth amendment cases require petitioner death sentence vacated remand case resentencing state courts texas capital punishment statute invalidated branch texas one cases decided furman georgia texas enacted new capital sentencing statute statute petitioner gary graham sentenced provides conclusion presentation evidence sentencing phase capital murder trial shall submit following issues jury whether conduct defendant caused death deceased committed deliberately reasonable expectation death deceased another result whether probability defendant commit criminal acts violence constitute continuing threat society raised evidence whether conduct defendant killing deceased unreasonable response provocation deceased jury returns affirmative finding issue submitted article shall sentence defendant death art vernon distinction even apply graham claim sentencing jury give full mitigating effect evidence unfortunate background course regard despite mitigating force penry evidence abused childhood graham evidence unfortunate background tendency support affirmative answer future dangerousness special issue explain reasoning graham claim concerning evidence background barred teague lane plurality opinion see ante undifferentiated references graham evidence respondent argument concerning application teague petitioner claim claim extensive constitute facial challenge texas statute brief respondent words sustaining graham claim necessarily require jurek overruled barred teague however petitioner ask jurek texas overruled indeed concedes texas statute applied constitutionally cases franklin lynaugh mitigating evidence given full mitigating weight special issues see brief petitioner thus respondent teague argument application case see also penry scalia dissenting part arguing contrary holding jurek remains available challenge texas statute contention particular mitigating circumstance fact irrelevant three questions poses hence considered full may responding several pending petitions certiorari presenting question involved case direct review see johnson texas cert pending jackson texas cert pending boggess texas cert pending trial petitioner seek additional penry instruction says required whether failure request instruction bar subsequent challenge question state procedure conviction affirmed state appellate courts ground petitioner failed raise claim trial hat affirmance rest independent adequate state law ground texas criminal appeals appears addressed petitioner challenge merits state postconviction proceeding see app event texas law penry claim procedurally barred even additional mitigating evidence instruction requested objection made trial jury instructions see selvage collins app black state app campbell concurring adequacy texas special issues case therefore properly us indeed ways evidence may mitigate imposition death sentence previously mentioned members see franklin lynaugh joined blackmun concurring judgment referring positive character traits might mitigate death penalty stevens joined brennan marshall dissenting character evidence redeeming features may reveal virtues fairly balanced society interest killing defendant retribution violent crime analysis today require extended consideration category suggested franklin see infra see also jurek joint opinion stewart powell stevens jj constitutionality texas procedures turns whether enumerated questions allow consideration particularized mitigating factors justice thomas argues ante rule applied penry originated entirely whole cloth two recent concurring opinions california brown concurring franklin lynaugh supra concurring judgment requires unbridled jury discretion even point death penalty may withheld basis race ante first contention lockett ohio understood time handed require constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence definition given given full consideration effect see white concurring part dissenting part concurring judgments emphasis added lockett requir es matter constitutional law sentencing authorities permitted consider discretion act upon mitigating circumstances understanding upon lockett eddings consistently applied see skipper south carolina assuming state rule case effect precluding defendant introducing otherwise admissible evidence explicit purpose convincing jury spared death penalty pose undue danger jailers fellow prisoners lead useful life behind bars sentenced life imprisonment rule pass muster eddings mccleskey kemp limit sentencer consideration relevant circumstance cause decline impose death penalty emphasis added franklin lynaugh supra joined blackmun concurring judgment stevens joined brennan marshall dissenting one may argue aspect eighth amendment jurisprudence tension sentence gregg state give jury guidance factors deems particularly relevant sentencing decision ante thomas concurring quoting gregg georgia tension dates latest eddings decided penry one novelty concurring opinions brown franklin however use phrase reasoned moral response see supra justice thomas adverts concurring opinion concurring opinion explained brown shorthand individual assessment personal culpability lockett eddings mandate see brown supra indeed appropriate shorthand justice thomas acknowledges think everyone must capital punishment expression society moral outrage particularly offensive conduct ante quoting gregg georgia supra joint opinion stewart powell stevens jj reminds us ny determination death fitting punishment particular crime necessarily moral one ante justice thomas second concern sympathy defendant member favored group ante involves issues great seriousness lockett eddings rule one unbridled unbounded discretion see ante constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence limited aspects defendant character record circumstances offense defendant proffers basis sentence less death lockett supra plurality opinion defendant race mitigating aspect character record circumstance offense may committed note regard trial judge remarks voir dire may inappropriately left jury consider whether graham dangerous future set free see brief petitioner light conclusion graham death sentence vacated need address propriety sentence imposed basis future dangerousness public possibility defendant sentenced term less life without possibility parole