booth maryland argued march decided june found petitioner guilty two counts murder related crimes jury sentenced death considering presentence report prepared state maryland report included victim impact statement vis required state statute vis based interviews family two victims provided jury two types information first described severe emotional impact crimes family personal characteristics victims second set forth family members opinions characterizations crimes petitioner state trial denied petitioner motion suppress vis rejecting argument information irrelevant unduly inflammatory therefore violative eighth amendment maryland appeals affirmed petitioner conviction sentence finding vis inject arbitrary factor sentencing decision concluded vis serves important interest informing sentencer full measure harm caused crime held introduction vis sentencing phase capital murder trial violates eighth amendment therefore maryland statute invalid extent requires consideration information information irrelevant capital sentencing decision admission creates constitutionally unacceptable risk jury may impose death penalty arbitrary capricious manner pp state contention presence absence emotional distress victims family victims personal characteristics proper sentencing considerations capital case rejected case sentencing jury must focus background record accused particular circumstances crime vis information question may wholly unrelated blameworthiness particular defendant may cause sentencing decision turn irrelevant factors degree victim family willing able articulate grief relative worth victim character thus evidence question improperly divert jury attention away defendant moreover difficult impossible provide fair opportunity rebut evidence without shifting focus sentencing hearing away defendant pp admission family members emotionally charged opinions characterizations crimes serve purpose inflame jury divert deciding case relevant evidence concerning crime defendant admission therefore inconsistent reasoned decisionmaking required capital cases pp powell delivered opinion brennan marshall blackmun stevens joined white filed dissenting opinion rehnquist scalia joined post scalia filed dissenting opinion rehnquist white joined post george burns argued cause petitioner brief alan murrell julia doyle bernhardt charles monk ii deputy attorney general maryland argued cause respondent brief joseph curran attorney general valerie cloutier assistant attorney general julius chambers james nabrit iii john charles boger vivian berger anthony amsterdam filed brief naacp legal defense educational fund amicus curiae urging reversal louis ditrani filed brief stephanie roper foundation amicus curiae urging affirmance justice powell delivered opinion question presented whether constitution prohibits jury considering victim impact statement sentencing phase capital murder trial irvin bronstein wife rose robbed murdered west baltimore home murderers john booth willie reid entered victims home apparent purpose stealing money buy heroin booth neighbor bronsteins knew elderly couple identify victims bound gagged stabbed repeatedly chest kitchen knife bodies discovered two days later bronsteins son jury found booth guilty two counts murder two counts robbery conspiracy commit robbery prosecution requested death penalty booth elected sentence determined jury instead judge see md ann code art sentencing phase began state division parole probation dpp complied presentence report described booth background education employment history criminal record maryland statute presentence report felony cases also must include victim impact statement vis describing effect crime victim family md ann code art specifically report shall identify victim offense ii itemize economic loss suffered victim result offense iii identify physical injury suffered victim result offense along seriousness permanence iv describe change victim personal welfare familial relationships result offense identity request psychological services initiated victim victim family result offense vi contain information related impact offense upon victim victim family trial requires vis booth case based interviews bronsteins son daughter granddaughter many comments emphasized victims outstanding personal qualities noted deeply bronsteins missed parts vis described emotional personal problems family members faced result crimes son example said suffers lack sleep depression fearful first time life app said opinion parents butchered like animals ibid daughter said also suffers lack sleep since murders become withdrawn distrustful stated longer watch violent movies look kitchen knives without reminded murders daughter concluded forgive murderer person ever rehabilitated finally granddaughter described deaths ruined wedding another close family member took place days bodies discovered ceremony reception sad affairs instead leaving honeymoon bride attended victims funeral vis also noted granddaughter received counseling several months incident eventually stopped concluded one help dpp official conducted interviews concluded vis writing became increasingly apparent writer talked family members murder bronstein still shocking painful devastating memory permeates every aspect daily lives doubtful ever able fully recover tragedy haunted memory brutal manner loved ones murdered taken jury sentenced booth death murder bronstein life imprisonment murder bronstein automatic appeal maryland appeals affirmed conviction sentences md rejected booth claim vis injected arbitrary factor sentencing decision noted considered argument lodowski state md vacated grounds concluded vis serves important interest informing sentencer full measure harm caused crime appeals examined vis booth case concluded relatively factual description effects murders members bronstein family held death sentence imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factors see md ann code art granted certiorari decide whether eighth amendment prohibits capital sentencing jury considering victim impact evidence conclude reverse ii well settled jury discretion impose death sentence must suitably directed limited minimize risk wholly arbitrary capricious action gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens jj california ramos although normally defer state legislature determination factors relevant sentencing decision constitution places limits discretion see specifically said jury must make individualized determination whether defendant question executed based character individual circumstances crime zant stephens emphasis original see also eddings oklahoma never said defendant record characteristics circumstances crime permissible sentencing considerations state statute requires consideration factors must scrutinized ensure evidence bearing defendant personal responsibility moral guilt enmund florida otherwise create risk death sentence based considerations constitutionally impermissible totally irrelevant sentencing process see zant stephens supra vis case provided jury two types information first described personal characteristics victims emotional impact crimes family second set forth family members opinions characterizations crimes defendant reasons stated find information irrelevant capital sentencing decision admission creates constitutionally unacceptable risk jury may impose death penalty arbitrary capricious manner greater part vis devoted description emotional trauma suffered family personal characteristics victims state claims evidence considered circumstance crime reveals full extent harm caused booth actions state view direct foreseeable nexus murders harm family thus arbitrary jury consider consequences deciding whether impose death penalty although victim impact aggravating factor maryland law state claims knowing extent impact upon severity loss family jury better able assess gravity aggravating quality offense brief respondent quoting lodowski state full range foreseeable consequences defendant actions may relevant criminal civil contexts agree relevant unique circumstance capital sentencing hearing case function sentencing jury express conscience community ultimate question life death witherspoon illinois carrying task jury required focus defendant uniquely individual human bein woodson north carolina plurality opinion stewart powell stevens focus vis however defendant character reputation victim effect family factors may wholly unrelated blameworthiness particular defendant cases shown defendant often know victim therefore knowledge existence characteristics victim family moreover defendants rarely select victims based whether murder effect anyone person murdered allowing jury rely vis therefore result imposing death sentence factors defendant unaware irrelevant decision kill evidence thus divert jury attention away defendant background record circumstances crime true certain cases information contained vis known defendant committed offense recognized defendant degree knowledge probable consequences actions may increase moral culpability constitutionally significant manner see tison arizona nevertheless find nature information contained vis creates impermissible risk capital sentencing decision made arbitrary manner evidenced full text vis case see appendix opinion family members articulate persuasive expressing grief extent loss cases victim leave behind family family members may less articulate describing feelings even though sense loss equally severe fact imposition death sentence may turn distinctions illustrates danger allowing juries consider information certainly degree family willing able express grief irrelevant decision whether defendant may merit death penalty live die see cole concurring part dissenting part concluding arbitrary make capital sentencing decisions based vis vary greatly case case depending upon ability family member express grief justification permitting decision turn perception victim sterling member community rather someone questionable character type information provide principled way distinguish cases death penalty imposed many cases godfrey georgia opinion stewart see also skipper south carolina powell concurring judgment also note difficult impossible provide fair opportunity rebut evidence without shifting focus sentencing hearing away defendant threshold problem victim impact information easily susceptible rebuttal presumably defendant right declarants rarely able show family members exaggerated degree sleeplessness depression emotional trauma suffered moreover state permitted introduce evidence victim personal qualities doubted defendant also must given chance rebut evidence see gardner florida opinion stevens due process requires defendant given chance rebut presentence report see also md ann code art putting aside strategic risks attacking victim character jury appropriate cases defendant presumably permitted put evidence victim dubious moral character unpopular ostracized family prospect victim character simply unappealing well distract sentencing jury constitutionally required task determining whether death penalty appropriate light background record accused particular circumstances crime thus reject contention presence absence emotional distress victim family victim personal characteristics proper sentencing considerations capital case second type information presented jury vis family members opinions characterizations crimes bronsteins son example stated parents butchered like animals think anyone able something like get away app vis also noted bronstein daughter never forgive anyone killing parents way ca believe anybody someone victims daughter animals perpetrators kill one stop looting murders show viciousness killers anger feel people ever rehabilitated want able put another family iii conclude introduction vis sentencing phase capital murder trial violates eighth amendment therefore maryland statute invalid extent requires consideration information decision maryland appeals vacated extent affirmed capital sentence case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered appendix opinion victim impact statement bronstein son daughter granddaughter interviewed purposes victim impact statement also four grandchildren family victims son reports parents married years enjoyed close relationship spending day together father worked hard life retired eight years describes mother woman young heart never seemed like old lady taught play bridge seventies victims son relates parents amazing people attended senior citizens center made many devout friends indicates close parents talked every day victims daughter also spent lots time victims son saw parents alive last time may lawn manicured excited onset spring called phone evening received answer made arrangements pick bronstein may ushers granddaughter wedding going pick tuxedos arrived house may noticed parents car neighbor told seen car several days knew something wrong went parents house found murdered called sister crying told come right something terrible happened parents dead victims daughter recalls arrived parents house police officers television crews everywhere felt numb cold allowed go house went neighbor home people reporters everywhere feel cold called older daughter told happened told daughter get husband tell younger daughter happened younger daughter married two days later victims granddaughter reports received call mother telephoned grandparents received answer mother told happened turned television heard news reports victims son reports children first learned grandparents death television reports since jewish religion dictates birth marriage important death granddaughter wedding proceed may looking forward eagerly sad occasion people crying reception normally lasted hours brief next day instead going honeymoon attended grandparents funerals victims son usher wedding remember coming going parents funeral next day victims granddaughter hand vividly remembers every detail days following grandparents death perhaps described impact tragedy eloquently stated completely devastating life altering experience victims son think parents context found day feel fear horror discovered bodies stands mind always aware comes day even near clock also wakes morning victims son suffers lack sleep unable drive streets pass near parents home also avoids driving past father favorite restaurant supermarket parents shopped etc constantly reminded parents sees father coming synagogues sees parents car feels sad whenever sees old people victims son feels parents killed butchered like animals think anyone able something like get away angry wishes sleep feel depressed time fearful first time life putting lights checking locks frequently children scared concerned health phone several times day time takes fearful approach whereabouts children also calls sister every day frightened reaction someone hurt family member know ever victims daughter husband eat dinner three days following discovery bronstein bodies cried together every day four months still cries every day sleep single night thinks part died parents killed reports find much joy anything powers concentration good feels brain overload victims daughter relates clean parents house took several weeks saw bloody carpet knowing parents felt like getting rug holding mother wonders happened family ordinary people victims daughter reports become noticeably withdrawn depressed work making effort outgoing notes emotionally tired sleep night tendency fall asleep attends social events dinner parties symphony victims daughter wherever goes sees hears parents happens every day look kitchen knives without reminded murders never away ca watch movies bodies stabbings ca tolerate reminder violence victims daughter relates used trusting longer doorbell rings tells husband answer suspicious people never way victims daughter attended defendant trial felt someone represent parents never told exact details parents death listen medical examiner report certain point mind blocked stopped hearing parents stabbed repeatedly viciousness never forgive anyone killing way ca believe anybody someone victims daughter animals kill one stop looting father given anything murders show viciousness killers anger feel people ever rehabilitated want able put another family feels lives family members never victims granddaughter unless experience something like ca understand feels state shock several months terrible depression sets angry feel rage dwells image death thinking grandparents time become hysterical whenever saw dead animals road able drive near grandparents house never able go neighborhood victims granddaughter also tendency turn lights house goes panic husband late coming home work used avid reader murder mysteries never able read turn radio reports violence come hit close home gets newspaper reads comics throws rest away small everyday things haunt constantly always saw counselor several months stopped felt one help victims granddaughter whole thing hard sister wedding anniversary always bittersweet tainted memory happened grandparents year anniversary husband quietly went town victims granddaughter finds unable look sister wedding pictures also picture grandparents put away painful look victims family members note trials suspects charged offenses delayed year postponements hard family emotionally victims son notes keeps seeing news reports parents murder show house police removing bodies constant reminder family wants whole thing like see swift punishment described family members bronsteins loving parents grandparents whose family important funeral largest history levinson funeral home family received one thousand sympathy cards total strangers attempted answer card personally family bronstein extremely good people hurt fly loss terrible void put lives every day still strain get became increasingly apparent writer talked family members murder bronstein still shocking painful devastating memory permeates every aspect daily lives doubtful ever able fully recover tragedy haunted memory brutal manner loved ones murdered taken app footnotes statute enacted unclear whether vis admissible capital case see vis required victim suffered injury whereas misdemeanor vis required victim suffers injury death lodowski state md cole concurring vacated grounds maryland general assembly amended vis provision provide case death penalty requested presentence investigation including victim impact statement shall completed division parole probation shall considered jury separate sentencing proceeding conducted vis stated victims son reports parents married years enjoyed close relationship spending day together father worked hard life retired eight years describes mother woman young heart never seemed like old lady taught play bridge seventies victims son relates parents amazing people attended senior citizens center made many devout friends app described family members bronsteins loving parents grandparents whose family important funeral largest history levinson funeral home family received one thousand sympathy cards total strangers complete vis reprinted appendix opinion eighth amendment provides excessive bail shall required excessive fines imposed cruel unusual punishments inflicted prohibitions eighth amendment apply due process clause fourteenth amendment see robinson california jury may impose capital sentence must find least one following aggravating circumstances present victim law enforcement officer murdered performance duties defendant committed murder time confined correctional institution defendant committed murder furtherance escape attempt escape evade lawful custody arrest detention officer guard correctional institution law enforcement officer victim taken attempted taken course kidnapping abduction attempt kidnap abduct victim child abducted violation article defendant committed murder pursuant agreement contract remuneration promise remuneration commit murder defendant engaged employed another person commit murder murder committed pursuant agreement contract remuneration promise remuneration time murder defendant sentence death imprisonment life defendant committed one offense murder first degree arising incident defendant committed murder committing attempting commit robbery arson rape sexual offense first degree see md ann code art supp one state noted think obvious defendant level culpability depends fortuitous circumstances composition victim family circumstances control defendant may choose decline premeditate act callously attack vulnerable victim commit crime probation amass record offenses contrast fact victim family irredeemably bereaved attributable act defendant commission homicide first place bereavement relevant damages civil action relationship proper purposes sentencing criminal case people levitt cal app cal rptr troubled implication defendants whose victims assets community deserving punishment whose victims perceived less worthy course system justice tolerate distinctions cf furman georgia douglas concurring see supra maryland sentencing statute expressly permit evidence victim character community status included vis maryland appeals however apparently determined statute establishes minimum amount information must provided consideration information vis subject trial judge discretion see reid state md type information unique vis booth case lodowski state trial admitted vis based interview victim wife said part victim perfect family person totally devoted family like miracle find man like something special created love withstand anything life husband wife best friends cole concurring disapproval victim impact statements sentencing phase capital case mean however type information never relevant context similar types information may well admissible relate directly circumstances crime facts victim family also may relevant noncapital criminal trial moreover may times victim personal characteristics relevant rebut argument offered defendant see fed rule evid prosecution may show peaceable nature victim rebut charge victim aggressor trial judge course continues primary responsibility deciding information sufficiently relevant legitimate consideration admissible probative value outweighs prejudicial effect cf fed rule evid problem presented vis summary written dpp might viewed jury representing views state noted supra writer concluded crimes shocking painful devast ing effect family doubtful ever able fully recover app see appendix opinion note however decision today guided fact death punishment different sanctions see woodson north carolina plurality opinion stewart powell stevens jj therefore considerations inform sentencing decision may different might relevant liability punishment determinations least permit use victim impact statements contexts reflecting legislative judgment effect crime victims place criminal justice system see national organization victim assistance victim rights services legislative directory chart mcleod victim participation sentencing crim bull congress also provided victim participation federal criminal cases see fed rule crim proc imply opinion use statements noncapital cases justice white chief justice justice justice scalia join dissenting decision capital punishment may appropriate sanction extreme cases expression community belief certain crimes grievous affront humanity adequate response may penalty death gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens affront humanity brutal murder petitioner committed limited impact victim victims victim community also injured particular victim family suffers shock grief kind difficult even imagine shared similar loss maryland legislature decided jury testimony victim family order assist weighing degree harm defendant caused corresponding degree punishment inflicted judgment entitled particular deference determinations appropriate sentencing considerations peculiarly questions legislative policy quoting gore recognize democratic society legislatures courts constituted respond consequently moral values people quoting furman georgia burger dissenting agree anything cruel unusual otherwise unconstitutional legislature decision use victim impact statements capital sentencing hearings troubled implication defendants whose victims assets community deserving punishment whose victims perceived less worthy declares system justice tolerate distinctions ante doubt true state may encourage sentencer rely factor victim race determining whether death penalty appropriate cf mccleskey kemp fail see state chooses include sentencing consideration particularized harm individual murder causes rest society particular family extent concerned sentencing juries might moved victim impact statements rely impermissible factors race victim showing statements case encouraged lightly presume misconduct jury part cf mccleskey kemp supra reliance alleged arbitrariness result differing ability victims families articulate sense loss makeweight consideration two prosecutors exactly ability present arguments jury two witnesses exactly ability communicate facts requirement capital cases evidence argument reduced lowest common denominator supposed problems arising defendant rebuttal victim impact statements speculative unconnected facts case doubt capital defendant must allowed introduce relevant evidence rebuttal victim impact statement maryland wise limited right defendants regard petitioner introduced rebuttal evidence probably considered wisely best interest bottom view seems somehow unfair confront defendant account loss deliberate act caused victim family society share view even unwilling impose see matters differently concern grief anger victim family inflame jury ante based large part view loss survivors suffer irrelevant issue punishment view already expressed disagreement extent determines case inappropriate allow victims family express opinions example whether petitioner rehabilitated obviously inherent fault victim impact statements reason declare practice admitting statements capital sentencing hearings per se unconstitutional respectfully dissent congress considers effect crime victims relevant sentencing consideration thus presentence reports prepared pursuant federal rule criminal procedure must include information concerning harm including financial social psychological physical harm done loss suffered victim offense cases also indicate harm caused offense may basis punishment even offender lacked specific intent commit harm see feola conviction assaulting federal officer require proof defendant knew victim status doubt means suggest constitutional impediment example authorizing death sentence assassination president vice president see congressman cabinet official justice head executive department murder policeman active duty see md ann code art possibility jury distracted rebuttal evidence purely hypothetical since petitioner introduced evidence also unclear distracting opposed offending jury disadvantage defendant disadvantage defendant pressing hard rebuttal victim impact statement heard complain consequences tactical decisions justice scalia chief justice justice white justice join dissenting holds death punishment different sanctions ante quoting woodson north carolina plurality opinion stewart powell stevens jj considerations relevant defendant personal responsibility moral guilt taken account deciding whether defendant eligible death penalty receive ante quoting enmund florida seems however think mankind amount harm one causes bear upon extent personal responsibility may take away license driver goes miles hour residential street put jail manslaughter though moral guilt greater unlucky enough kill someone escapade despite says today depart principle capital punishment concerned opinion explain defendant eligibility death sentence always turn upon considerations relevant moral guilt bank robber aims gun guard pulls trigger kills target may put death gun unexpectedly misfires may moral guilt cases identical responsibility former greater less two months ago held two brothers planned assisted father escape prison sentenced death course escape father accomplice murdered married couple two children tison arizona father allowed victims live brothers put death decided kill brothers may difference life death two defendants thus matter wholly unrelated ir blameworthiness ante related personal responsibility degree harm caused sum principle upon opinion rests imposition capital punishment determined solely basis moral guilt exist neither text constitution historic practices society even opinions recent years seen outpouring popular concern come known victims rights phrase describes proponents feel failure courts justice take account sentencing decisions factors mitigating defendant moral guilt also amount harm caused innocent members society many citizens found hence unjust criminal trial parade witnesses comes forth testify pressures beyond normal human experience drove defendant commit crime one lay sentencing authority full reality human suffering defendant produced moral guilt alone one reasons society deems act worthy prescribed penalty perhaps sentiments sufficiently temper justice mercy question decided democratic processes free people decrees nothing constitution dictates answer field capital punishment elsewhere require mitigating factors render capital punishment harsh penalty particular case placed sentencing authority simultaneously requiring today evidence much human suffering defendant inflicted suppressed effect prescribe debate appropriateness capital penalty one side muted penalty constitutional repeatedly said seems remotely unconstitutional permit pros cons particular case heard