pulley harris argued november decided january respondent convicted capital crime california sentenced death california affirmed rejecting claim california capital punishment statute invalid federal constitution failed require california compare respondent sentence sentences imposed similar capital cases thereby determine whether proportionate habeas corpus relief denied state courts respondent sought habeas corpus federal district contending denied comparative proportionality review assertedly required constitution district denied writ appeals held comparative proportionality review constitutionally required held merit respondent contention appeals judgment affirmed solely ground state decisional law entitles comparative proportionality review federal may issue writ habeas corpus basis perceived error state law rejecting respondent demand proportionality review california suggest way departing state precedent moreover respondent claim evolution state law enjoy kind proportionality review far denied state courts consider matter inclined free constraints federal writ habeas corpus pp eighth amendment require invariable rule every case state appellate affirms death sentence compare sentence case penalties imposed similar cases requested prisoner pp cases require comparative proportionality review appellate every capital case outcome gregg georgia upholding georgia statutory scheme required comparative proportionality review proffitt florida upholding florida scheme appellate performed proportionality review despite absence statutory requirement hinge proportionality review schemes providing proportionality review constitutional mean review indispensable moreover jurek texas upheld texas scheme even though neither statute state case law provided comparative proportionality review pp assuming capital sentencing system lacking checks arbitrariness pass constitutional muster without comparative proportionality review california statute involved sort pp white delivered opinion burger blackmun powell rehnquist joined part iii stevens joined stevens filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment post brennan filed dissenting opinion marshall joined post michael wellington deputy attorney general california argued cause petitioner briefs john van de kamp attorney general daniel kremer chief assistant attorney general steven adler deputy attorney general harley mayfield assistant attorney general anthony amsterdam argued cause respondent brief quin denvir charles sevilla ezra hendon michael mccabe charles pulaski filed brief national council crime delinquency amicus curiae urging affirmance justice white delivered opinion respondent harris convicted capital crime california sentenced death along many challenges conviction sentence harris claimed appeal california capital punishment statute invalid constitution failed require california compare harris sentence sentences imposed similar capital cases thereby determine whether proportionate rejecting constitutional claims citation earlier cases california affirmed people harris cal denied certiorari harris sought writ habeas corpus state courts complained failure provide comparative proportionality review writ denied without opinion denied certiorari harris california harris next sought habeas corpus district southern district california pressing claim among others denied comparative proportionality review assertedly required constitution district denied writ refused stay harris execution issued certificate probable cause appeals holding proportionality review demanded harris constitutionally required vacated judgment district ordered writ issue relieving harris death sentence unless within days california undertook determine whether penalty imposed harris proportionate sentences imposed similar crimes granted state petition certiorari presenting question whether proportionality review mandated appeals required constitution harris concedes appeals judgment rested federal constitutional ground nonetheless contends affirm judgment effect returning case state courts state law may entitle comparative proportionality review unsuccessfully demanded unimpressed submission writ habeas corpus disturbing judgment may issue found prisoner custody violation constitution laws treaties federal may issue writ basis perceived error state law even error state law sufficiently egregious amount denial equal protection due process law guaranteed fourteenth amendment harris submission persuasive relies people frierson cal people jackson cal proposition proportionality review extended matter state law since deciding cases california twice rejected harris demand proportionality review without suggesting way departing precedent indeed direct review indicated harris constitutional claims adversely decided cases finally harris claim evolution state law enjoy kind proportionality review far denied claim even accurate warrant issuing writ habeas corpus rather appear matter state courts consider inclined free constraints federal writ accordingly deem necessary reach constitutional question certiorari granted ii outset clearly identify issue us traditionally proportionality used reference abstract evaluation appropriateness sentence particular crime looking gravity offense severity penalty sentences imposed crimes sentencing practices jurisdictions occasionally struck punishments inherently disproportionate therefore cruel unusual imposed particular crime category crime see solem helm enmund florida coker georgia death penalty cases disproportionate penalty sense gregg georgia opinion stewart powell stevens jj white concurring judgment proportionality review sought harris required appeals provided numerous state statutes different sort sort proportionality review presumes death sentence disproportionate crime traditional sense purports inquire instead whether penalty nonetheless unacceptable particular case disproportionate punishment imposed others convicted crime issue case therefore whether eighth amendment applicable fourteenth amendment requires state appellate affirms death sentence compare sentence case penalties imposed similar cases requested prisoner harris insists invariable rule every case apparently appeals view agree iii harris submission rooted furman georgia furman concluded capital punishment administered statutes vesting unguided sentencing discretion juries trial judges become unconstitutionally cruel unusual punishment death penalty imposed discriminatorily douglas concurring wantonly freakishly stewart concurring infrequently white concurring given death sentence cruel unusual response decision roughly promptly redrafted capital sentencing statutes effort limit jury discretion avoid arbitrary inconsistent results new statutes provide automatic appeal death sentences georgia require reviewing extent least determine whether considering crime defendant sentence disproportionate imposed similar cases every state adopted procedure florida appellate performs proportionality review despite absence statutory requirement others california texas four years furman examined several new state statutes upheld one three sorts mentioned see gregg georgia supra proffitt florida jurek texas needless say schemes providing proportionality review constitutional mean review indispensable take statutes find endorse statute whole say anything different unacceptable said gregg intend suggest procedures permissible furman sentencing system constructed along general lines inevitably satisfy concerns furman distinct system must examined individual basis omitted examination cases makes clear establish proportionality review constitutional requirement gregg six justices concluded georgia system adequately directed limited jury discretion bifurcated proceedings limited number capital crimes requirement least one aggravating circumstance present consideration mitigating circumstances minimized risk wholly arbitrary capricious freakish sentences opinion announcing judgment three justices concluded sentencing discretion statute sufficiently controlled clear objective standards separate concurrence three justices found sufficient reason expect death penalty imposed wantonly freakishly infrequently invalid furman opinions made much statutorily required comparative proportionality review considered additional safeguard arbitrary capricious sentencing opinion justices stewart powell stevens suggested form meaningful appellate review required justices declare comparative review critical without georgia statute passed constitutional muster indeed summarizing components adequate capital sentencing scheme justices stewart powell stevens mention comparative review concerns expressed furman met carefully drafted statute ensures sentencing authority given adequate information guidance general proposition concerns best met system provides bifurcated proceeding sentencing authority apprised information relevant imposition sentence provided standards guide use information even less basis reliance proffitt florida supra florida statute provides bifurcated procedure forecloses death penalty unless sentencing authority finds least one eight statutory aggravating circumstances present outweighed mitigating circumstances joint opinion justices stewart powell stevens observed florida scheme like georgia counterpart requires sentencer focus individual circumstances homicide defendant also vesting ultimate sentencing authority judge rather jury statute expected yield consistent sentencing trial level concluding trial judges given specific detailed guidance assist deciding whether impose death penalty opinion observe death sentences reviewed ensure consistent sentences imposed similar cases opinion concurring judgment filed three justices approved florida statute without even mentioning appellate review gregg proffitt establish constitutional requirement proportionality review made clearer jurek texas decided day jurek upheld death sentence even though neither statute georgia state case law florida provided comparative proportionality review justices stewart powell stevens emphasizing limits jury discretion concluded texas 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 harris also relies zant stephens announced appeals decision case zant depart gregg question jurek indeed jurek cited support decision emphasizing importance mandatory appellate review georgia statute hold without comparative proportionality review statute unconstitutional contrary relied jury finding aggravating circumstances state finding proportionality rationalizing sentence thus emphasis constitutionally necessary narrowing function statutory aggravating circumstances proportionality review considered additional safeguard arbitrarily imposed death sentences certainly hold comparative review constitutionally required thus basis cases holding comparative proportionality review appellate required every case death penalty imposed defendant requests indeed hold effectively overrule jurek substantially depart sense gregg proffitt persuaded eighth amendment requires us take course iv assuming capital sentencing system lacking checks arbitrariness pass constitutional muster without comparative proportionality review california statute sort scheme person convicted murder sentenced life imprisonment unless one special circumstances found case punishment either death life imprisonment without parole cal penal code ann west supp special circumstances alleged charging paper tried issue guilt initial phase trial close evidence jury decides guilt innocence determines whether special circumstances alleged present special circumstance must proved beyond reasonable doubt jury finds defendant guilty murder finds least one special circumstance trial proceeds second phase determine appropriate penalty additional evidence may offered jury given list relevant factors heard received evidence trier fact shall consider take account guided aggravating mitigating circumstances referred section shall determine whether penalty shall death life imprisonment without possibility parole ibid jury returns verdict death defendant deemed move modify verdict trial judge reviews evidence light statutory factors makes independent determination whether weight evidence supports jury findings verdicts ibid judge required state record reasons findings ibid trial judge denies motion modification automatic appeal statute require comparative proportionality review otherwise describe nature appeal state trial judge refusal modify sentence shall reviewed seem include review evidence relied judge california said statutory requirements jury specify special circumstances permit imposition death penalty trial judge specify reasons denying modification death penalty serve assure thoughtful effective appellate review focusing upon circumstances present particular case people frierson cal reduced death sentence life imprisonment evidence support findings special circumstances people thompson cal requiring jury find least one special circumstance beyond reasonable doubt statute limits death sentence small subclass cases statutory list relevant factors applied defendants within subclass provide jury guidance lessen chance arbitrary application death penalty guarantee ing jury discretion guided consideration deliberate jury discretion must suitably directed limited minimize risk wholly arbitrary capricious action gregg decision reviewed trial judge state face system without requirement practice comparative proportionality review successfully challenged furman subsequent cases capital sentencing scheme may occasionally produce aberrational outcomes inconsistencies far cry major systemic defects identified furman acknowledged past perfect procedure deciding cases governmental authority used impose death zant stephens quoting lockett ohio plurality opinion presently informed say california procedures provided harris inadequate protection evil identified furman appeals therefore erred ordering writ habeas corpus issue judgment reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes confusion whether harris sought proportionality review direct appeal record filed us contains copy appellate brief brief largely identical federal habeas petition also record infer state petition appellate brief harris argued california scheme constitutionally defective failure establish proportionality review mechanism habeas petitions also included affidavit detailing perceived inconsistencies california capital sentencing identifying similar cases death sentence imposed affidavit presented california direct appeal three justices joined opinion justice tobriner concurred note considered death penalty statute unconstitutional felt bound previous ruling dissented chief justice bird joined justice mosk dissented ground pretrial publicity denied respondent fair trial rejected harris constitutional challenges california statute first found list aggravating mitigating circumstances adequately limited jury discretion even though factors identified aggravating mitigating even though jury allowed consider nonstatutory factors second held constitutional requirement appropriateness death penalty established beyond reasonable doubt third written findings jury constitutionally required least california judge provides statement remanded however possible evidentiary hearing harris claim death penalty discriminatorily administered california closer look record determine whether california conclusion pretrial publicity unfairly prejudicial adequately supported none california many reversals capital cases based finding sentence disproportionate imposed similar defendants similar crimes aware one case beside one affirmed death sentence imposed later statute people jackson cal proportionality review sort issue conducted case oral argument counsel respondent pointed people dillon cal example california evolving practice proportionality review reduced murder conviction carrying life sentence conviction relied part disparity dillon punishment received six participants crime dillon death case involve comparison hardly signifies established practice proportionality review appeals noted distinction proportionality death penalty crime imposed proportionality given defendant sentence sentences imposed similar crimes latter proportionality review concerns us georgia scheme example required every case determine hether sentence death excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant code ann affirms death sentence include decision reference similar cases taken consideration required maintain records capital felony cases death penalty imposed since justice stevens implies joint opinion proffitt really understand florida conduct comparative proportionality review post reading opinion course support interpretation proffitt share opinion stated florida considered function georgia counterpart review particular sentence light decisions determine whether punishment great quoting state dixon thus sentencing decisions reviewed ensure consistent sentences imposed similar circumstances justice stevens notes opinion went point florida several times compared circumstances case review previous cases assessed imposition death sentences citations omitted following procedure florida effect adopted type proportionality review mandated georgia statute natural reading language authors believed florida conduct proportionality review indeed florida one interpreted mccaskill state acknowledging present florida undertakes provide proportionality review every case see brown wainwright cert denied justice stevens says always practice citing long list cases review explicitly performed post florida undeniably become enthusiastic least explicit proportionality review recent years see williams state adams state however comparative proportionality review part least theory appellate review florida since enactment state first capital punishment statute endorsed first case decided statute see state dixon supra frequently acknowledged performed thereafter see alvord state alford state lamadline state florida recently stated since inception new death penalty statute engaged proportionality review death cases ensure rationality consistency imposition death penalty sullivan state citing state dixon supra justice stevens points florida conducted express review proportionality every capital sentence reviewed worth bearing mind many decisions cites reversed death sentence examining circumstances particular case proportionality review therefore superfluous fact others explicit comparative review mean none undertaken see messer state acknowledging proportionality review requirement rejecting assertion written opinion must explicitly compare death sentence past capital cases event critical question proffitt thought florida scheme regard joint opinion speaks 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 procedure guides focuses jury objective consideration particularized circumstances individual offense individual offender impose sentence death revised law substantive crime murder defined murder occurs one five circumstances set statute death penalty must imposed jury also makes certain additional findings defendant petitioner claims additional questions upon death sentence depends vague essence jury possesses standardless sentencing power agree justices stewart powell stevens issues posed sentencing proceeding core meaning criminal juries capable understanding statute extend juries discretionary power dispense mercy assumed juries disobey nullify instructions february year persons including petitioner sentenced death texas murder statute conclude juncture death penalty system imposed seldom arbitrarily serve useful penological function hence fall within reach decision announced five members furman georgia texas capital punishment statute limits imposition death penalty narrowly defined group brutal crimes aims limiting imposition similar offenses occurring similar circumstances white joined burger rehnquist concurring judgment see also woodson north carolina rehnquist dissenting wish undertake effort proportionality review undoubtedly free surely required constitution upheld death sentence even though state invalidated unconstitutionally vague one three aggravating circumstances relied jury two remaining circumstances adequately differentiate case objective evenhanded substantively rational way many georgia murder cases death penalty may imposed briefly statutory special circumstances murder profit murder perpetrated explosive victim police officer killed line duty victim witness crime killed prevent testifying criminal proceeding murder committed commission robbery kidnapping rape performance lewd lascivious act someone burglary murder involved torture defendant previously convicted murder convicted one murder first second degree instant proceeding cal penal code ann west supp greatly expanded current statute see cal penal code ann west supp statute separate aggravating mitigating circumstances section provides determining penalty trier fact shall take account following factors relevant circumstances crime defendant convicted present proceeding existence special circumstances found true pursuant presence absence criminal activity defendant involved use attempted use force violence expressed implied threat use force violence whether offense committed defendant influence extreme mental emotional disturbance whether victim participant defendant homicidal conduct consented homicidal act whether offense committed circumstances defendant reasonably believed moral justification extenuation conduct whether defendant acted extreme duress substantial domination another person whether time offense capacity defendant appreciate criminality conduct conform conduct requirements law impaired result mental disease effects intoxication age defendant time crime whether defendant accomplice offense participation commission offense relatively minor circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime provision automatic appeal texas statute considered jurek similarly silent exact nature appeal justice stevens concurring part concurring judgment agree basic conclusion part iii opinion case law establish constitutional requirement comparative proportionality review conducted appellate every case death penalty imposed understanding decisions gregg georgia proffitt florida jurek texas zant stephens sufficiently different reflected part iii prevent joining portion opinion cases relied upon respondent establish comparative proportionality review constitutionally required element capital sentencing system believe case law establish appellate review plays essential role eliminating systemic arbitrariness capriciousness infected death penalty schemes invalidated furman georgia hence form meaningful appellate review constitutionally required systemic arbitrariness capriciousness imposition capital punishment statutory schemes invalidated furman resulted two basic defects schemes first systems permitting imposition capital punishment broad classes offenses penalty always constitute cruel unusual punishment second even among types homicides death penalty constitutionally imposed punishment schemes vested essentially unfettered discretion juries trial judges impose death sentence given defects arbitrariness capriciousness imposition punishment inevitable given extreme nature punishment constitutionally intolerable statutes approved gregg proffitt jurek designed eliminate defects scheme provided effective mechanism categorically narrowing class offenses death penalty imposed provided special procedural safeguards including appellate review sentencing authority decision impose death penalty gregg opinion justices stewart powell stevens indicated form meaningful appellate review required see opinion well justice white opinion see focused proportionality review component georgia statute prominent innovative noteworthy feature specifically designed combat effectively systemic problems capital sentencing invalidated prior georgia capital sentencing scheme observations innovation effective safeguard mean method ensuring death sentences imposed capriciously acceptable form appellate review proffitt joint opinion justices stewart powell stevens explicitly recognized florida law differs georgia require conduct specific form review opinion observed however meaningful appellate review made possible requirement trial judge justify imposition death sentence written findings observed florida indicated death sentences reviewed ensure consistent sentences imposed similar cases florida practice described proffitt opinion appellate review routinely involved independent analysis aggravating mitigating circumstances particular case later opinion response proffitt argument florida appellate review process subjective unpredictable noted state several times compared circumstances case review previous cases death sentence imposed following procedure florida effect adopted type proportionality review mandated georgia statute however indicate particular procedure followed several times either invariable routine florida indispensable feature meaningful appellate review texas statute reviewed jurek like florida statute reviewed proffitt provide comparative review nevertheless concluded texas procedures like georgia florida constitutional assured sentences death wantonly freakishly imposed assurance rested part statutory guarantee meaningful appellate review stated providing prompt judicial review jury decision statewide jurisdiction texas provided means promote evenhanded rational consistent imposition death sentences law ibid last term zant stephens reviewed georgia sentencing scheme observed appellate review every death penalty proceeding determine whether sentence arbitrary disproportionate one two primary features upon gregg joint opinion approval georgia scheme rested focus comparative review element scheme reaffirming constitutionality georgia statute appellate review sentencing decision deemed essential upholding constitutionality fact georgia reviewed sentence question determine whether arbitrary excessive disproportionate relied upon reject contention statute invalid applied absence standards guide jury weighing significance aggravating circumstances describing proportionality review omitted mandatory appellate review also relied upon rejecting argument subsequent invalidation one aggravating circumstances found jury required setting aside death sentence proportionality review viewed effective additional safeguard arbitrary capricious death sentences hold comparative proportionality review mandated component constitutionally acceptable capital sentencing system decision certainly recognized plain gregg proffitt jurek form meaningful appellate review essential safeguard arbitrary capricious imposition death sentences individual juries judges summarize statutory schemes approved prior cases scheme review today meaningful appellate review indispensable component determination state capital sentencing procedure valid like however persuaded particular form review prescribed statute georgia comparative proportionality review method appellate avoid danger imposition death sentence particular case particular class cases extraordinary violate eighth amendment accordingly join part iii opinion concur judgment course regular practice florida proffitt decided proportionality review conducted following decisions jones state per curiam reversing death sentence unwarranted circumstances particular case henry state per curiam affirming death sentence weighing circumstances case cert denied douglas state cert denied thompson state quotes language state dixon concerning review light prior decisions reverses death sentence without considering cases instead based facts case adkins concurring specially maintaining affirmance merited based agreement weighing circumstances performed trial judge dobbert state affirming death sentence without proportionality review opinion agree trial judge general remark crime atrocious personal knowledge aff halliwell state per curiam reversing death sentence based weighing circumstances particular case tedder state establishing special standard review reviewing imposition death sentence jury recommendation life sentence reversing death sentence circumstances particular case swan state gardner state affirming death sentence based weighing circumstances case cert denied spinkellink state cert denied sawyer state cert denied hallman state per curiam cert denied sullivan state specially concurring opinion joined five justices citing dixon proposition responsibility independently determine whether death penalty warranted proceeds affirm death sentence based assessment circumstances case cert denied taylor state reversing death sentence based weighing circumstances particular case moreover opinions issued shortly proffitt reveal similar absence comparative proportionality review adams state affirming death sentence citing dixon proposition role independently review circumstances particular case determine whether death sentence warranted cert denied funchess state affirming death sentence weighing circumstances case cert denied chambers state per curiam reversing death sentence based circumstances case meeks state per curiam affirming death sentence compares sentence accomplice affirms ground sentence warranted circumstances particular case cert denied knight state affirming death sentence weighing circumstances case meeks state see also cooper state cert denied florida undertakes provide proportionality review every case see brown wainwright cert denied noted proffitt practice provide function death sentence review maximum rationality consistency fact practice especially good one however mean indispensable element meaningful appellate review justice brennan justice marshall joins dissenting almost years ago furman georgia concluded death penalty administered various state federal statutes constituted cruel unusual punishment prohibited eighth fourteenth amendments time convinced death sentences imposed manner arbitrary capricious individual death sentence constitutionally justified four years later faced new death penalty statutes enacted georgia florida texas majority concluded procedural mechanisms included statutes provided sufficient protection ensure constitutional application see gregg georgia proffitt florida jurek texas thus began series decisions exceptions assumed death penalty imposed various rational way upon available evidence however convinced simply deluding also american public insists defendants already executed today condemned death selected basis neither arbitrary capricious meaningful definition terms moreover case concludes proportionality review death sentence constitutionally unnecessary presumably even comparative review death sentences imposed similarly situated defendants might eliminate small part irrationality currently surrounds imposition death penalty view evidence available suggests proportionality review serve limited purpose believe state california statewide jurisdiction required undertake proportionality review examining death sentence appeal furman georgia supra subsequent orders see invalidated death sentences existing various although five justices concurring per curiam opinion authored separate opinion since accepted holding furman minimum death penalty imposed sentencing procedures creat substantial risk inflicted arbitrary capricious manner gregg georgia supra opinion stewart powell stevens touchstone justice stewart concerns furman death sentences cruel unusual way struck lightning cruel unusual people convicted rapes murders many reprehensible petitioners among capriciously selected random handful upon sentence death fact imposed concurring brothers demonstrated basis discerned selection sentenced die constitutionally impermissible basis race simply conclude eighth fourteenth amendments tolerate infliction sentence death legal systems permit unique penalty wantonly freakishly imposed footnotes citations omitted concerns irrational imposition death penalty based abstract speculation rather premised actual experience administration penalty various attempt time summarize evidence available furman decided see douglas concurring brennan concurring stewart concurring marshall concurring suffice say persuaded personal experience reviewing capital cases available research analyzing imposition extreme penalty death penalty administered arbitrary capricious manner moreover stated concern irrational imposition death penalty cease judgments furman indeed focus reflected decisions ever since see barclay florida stevens concurring judgment zant stephens characterizing furman holding discretion afforded sentencing body matter grave determination whether human life taken spared discretion must suitably directed limited minimize risk wholly arbitrary capricious action quoting gregg georgia opinion stewart powell stevens jj eddings oklahoma noting attempted provide standards constitutional death penalty serve goals measured consistent application fairness accused noting insiste capital punishment imposed fairly reasonable consistency hence principle accepted part death penalty decisions past years irrational application death penalty evidenced examination death penalty actually imposed constitutionally defended even repeating principle however since gregg georgia supra companion cases allowed executions take place death rows expand without fully examining results obtained death penalty statutes enacted response furman decision indeed seems content conclude long certain procedural protections exist imposition death penalty constitutionally permissible sentencer consideration aggravating mitigating circumstances see ante combined form meaningful appellate review see ante stevens concurring part ensure death sentence particular case death penalty general constitutional exercise state power given emotions generated capital crimes may well juries trial judges appellate courts considering sentences death invariably affected impermissible considerations although may tolerate irrationality sentencing contexts premise furman arbitrary capricious decisionmaking simply invalid applied matter grave determination whether human life taken spared zant stephens supra executions occur frequency therefore time fast approaching reexamine death penalty simply ensure existence adequate procedural protections importantly reevaluate imposition death penalty irrationality prohibited decision furman current evidence discriminatory irrational application death penalty yet completely systematically marshaled evidence compiled moreover properly presented issue case nevertheless recent decisions today evaluates procedural mechanism issue case comparative proportionality review without regard whether actual administration death penalty satisfies concerns expressed furman compelling evidence death penalty continues administered unconstitutionally relates racial discrimination apparently perhaps invariably exists application correctly avoids question racial discrimination properly presented case see ante noting appeals remanded possible evidentiary hearing harris claim death penalty discriminatorily administered california issue avoided much longer decisions lower federal courts beginning recognize see spencer zant rehearing en banc pending ross hopper see also stephens kemp stay execution granted pending rehearing en banc spencer furthermore scholarly research necessary support claim systemic racial discrimination currently pursued results research compiled rapidly expanding body literature see baldus woodworth pulaski differential treatment white black victim homicide cases georgia capital charging sentencing process preliminary findings june unpublished reprinted app pet cert smith balkcom exh appendix discrimination race victim bowers pierce arbitrariness discrimination capital statutes crime delinquency discrimination race defendant race victim foley florida furman decision discrimination processing capital offense cases unpublished reprinted app application stay sullivan wainwright exh discrimination race victim foley powell discretion prosecutors judges juries capital cases crim rev fall discrimination race victim gross mauro patterns death analysis racial disparities capital sentencing homicide victimization unpublished reprinted app application stay sullivan wainwright supra exh discrimination race victim jacoby paternoster sentencing disparity jury packing challenges death penalty crim criminology discrimination race victim kleck racial discrimination criminal sentencing critical evaluation evidence additional evidence death penalty soc rev radelet racial characteristics imposition death penalty soc rev discrimination race victim radelet pierce race prosecutorial discretion homicide cases presented meetings american sociological association detroit reprinted app application stay sullivan wainwright supra exh discrimination race defendant race victim riedel discrimination imposition death penalty comparison characteristics offenders sentenced temp zeisel race bias administration death penalty florida experience harv rev discrimination race defendant race victim see also black capital punishment inevitability caprice mistake ed although research methods techniques often differ conclusions reached relatively clear factors crucial yet without doubt impermissibly applied imposition death penalty race defendant race victim mean suggest racial discrimination irrationality infects death penalty currently applied several studies cited suggest discrimination gender foley supra foley powell supra socioeconomic status foley powell supra geographical location within state bowers pierce supra foley powell supra may common attempt time expand upon conclusions studies may dictate going fulfill constitutional responsibilities sanction continued executions unexamined assumption death penalty administered rational nonarbitrary noncapricious manner simply assume procedural protections mandated prior decisions eliminate irrationality underlying application death penalty ignore holding furman whatever constitutional difficulties may inherent state death penalty system ii question directly presented case whether federal constitution requires statewide jurisdiction undertake comparative proportionality review death sentence may carried results obtained many undertake proportionality review pursuant either state statute judicial decision convince form appellate review serves eliminate small part irrationality infects current imposition death sentences throughout various extent believe comparative proportionality review mandated constitution forms irrationality infect administration death penalty unlike discrimination race gender socioeconomic status geographic location within state measured comprehensive way mean however process death sentences currently imposed otherwise rational acceptable rather individual defendant process filled much unpredictability smacks little lottery system furman georgia brennan concurring chosen death sentence remains random struck lightning stewart concurring chief among reasons unpredictability fact similarly situated defendants charged convicted similar crimes within state often receive vastly different sentences professor john kaplan stanford law school summarized dilemma problem error imposing capital punishment much serious consider chances error system execution someone completely innocent ultimate horror case though examples victims mistaken identity sometimes found death row far common cases fall two types one recipient death penalty guilty crime lesser offense capital punishment theory available second type error capital punishment occurs execute someone whose crime seem aggravated compared many escaped death penalty kind case extremely common must worry whether first designed procedures appropriate decision life death second whether followed procedures kaplan problem capital punishment rev disproportionality among sentences given different defendants eliminated sentencing disparities identified logical way identify sentencing disparities statewide jurisdiction conduct comparisons death sentences imposed different judges juries within state labels comparative proportionality review see ante although clearly panacea review often serves identify extreme examples disproportionality among similarly situated defendants least extent form appellate review serves eliminate irrationality currently surrounds imposition death sentence limited purpose therefore believe constitution prohibition irrational imposition death penalty requires procedural safeguard provided indeed despite insistence review compelled federal constitution require either statute judicial decision form comparative proportionality review death sentence may carried weigh heavily side requiring appellate review cf enmund florida coker georgia addition current practices establish beyond dispute review administered without much difficulty statewide jurisdiction state perhaps best evidence value proportionality review gathered examining actual results obtained require review example since statute controlling appellate review death sentences state georgia required georgia determine hether sentence death excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant code ann see ante gregg georgia opinion stewart powell stevens pursuant statutory mandate georgia vacated least seven death sentences convinced comparatively disproportionate see high state death sentence disproportionate armed robbery kidnaping hall state death sentence disproportionate felony murder codefendant received life sentence subsequent jury trial ward state death sentence disproportionate murder defendant received life sentence crime previous trial jarrell state death sentence disproportionate armed robbery floyd state gregg state aff grounds coley state death sentence disproportionate rape cf hill state death sentence disproportionate even though unclear defendant actually committed murder sentence later commuted life imprisonment board pardons paroles similarly require comparative proportionality review also vacated death sentences defendants whose crime personal history justify extreme penalty see henry state ark sumlin state ark blair state mccaskill state people gleckler smith commonwealth state sonnier la coleman state miss state mcilvoy mo munn state crim app cases clearly demonstrate view comparative proportionality review serves eliminate small part irrationality currently infects imposition death penalty various execution carried therefore state required eighth fourteenth amendments conduct appellate review decision furman continuing emphasis meaningful appellate review see ante stevens concurring part barclay florida marshall dissenting require less iii today concludes prior decisions mandate comparative proportionality review conducted execution takes place simply california statute provides list special circumstances factors jury must find imposing death sentence judicial review findings upholds california sentencing scheme point determine whether comparative proportionality review required order ensure irrational arbitrary capricious imposition death penalty invalidated furman still exist even adhere view death penalty circumstances cruel unusual punishment join unstudied decisionmaking dissent concurring opinion expressed view death penalty circumstances cruel unusual punishment prohibited eighth fourteenth amendments furman georgia see also gregg georgia brennan dissenting nothing occurred past years given reason change views anything today persuaded unconstitutionality death penalty ever therefore adhere views expressed furman gregg vacate death sentence imposed respondent robert alton harris even dissenters viewed concerns expressed arbitrary capricious infliction death penalty primary basis decision decisive grievance opinions present system discretionary sentencing capital cases failed produce evenhanded justice selection process followed rational pattern burger dissenting concurring opinion justice white focused personal experience need restate facts figures appear opinions brethren prove conclusion data like brethren must arrive judgment state conclusion based years almost daily exposure facts circumstances hundreds hundreds federal state criminal cases involving crimes death authorized penalty appeals held portion opinion challenged district becomes necessary provide opportunity develop factual basis arguments concerning harris claims harris therefore entitled remand develop evidence arguments essential adequate review claims time harris made showing support wealth age discrimination claims appeals therefore refused require evidentiary hearing consideration alleged bases discrimination perhaps easiest evidence assemble order highlight comparative disproportionality death sentences examine cases proved men executed since individuals least four refused process appeals behalf preferring execution life prison among seven others individuals convicted heinous crimes even among men still unexplained differences crimes went unaccounted sentences example professor kaplan focused comments execution john spinkellink spelling name varies read record probably guilty voluntary manslaughter murder drifter killed another drifter sexually assaulted although received capital punishment florida california district attorneys probably happy accept plea murder case kaplan see spinkellink wainwright spinkellink state justice ervin florida writing dissent explained underlying facts support professor kaplan conclusions case appears spinkellink time homicide drifter picked szymankiewicz hitchhiker criminal records heavy drinkers szymankiewicz victim case man vicious propensities boasted killings forced spinkellink homosexual relations spinkellink discovered szymankiewicz relieved cash reserves conditions spinkellink returned motel room homicide occurred spinkellink testified shot szymankiewicz self defense evidence contrary circumstantial fact evidence possible infer crime premeditated different spinkellink direct testimony shot szymankiewicz self defense reasoning suddenness premeditation may formed suspect allowed prosecution undue latitude readily shift theory felony murder premeditated murder appear situation sufficient certainty premeditated guilt heinousness warrant death penalty nature relation spinkellink szymankiewicz taken account along viciousness victim character theft spinkellink money obvious hostility existed produced mortal encounter involved shooting truly characterized sentencing death example exercise local arbitrary discretion two actors homicide underprivileged drifters surnames spinkellink szymankiewicz foreign strange tallahassee area family roots business connections ingredients present exercise invidious parochial discrimination sentencing process plural opinions majority furman condemned result old story often repeated jurisdiction subconscious prejudices local mores outweigh humane civilized understanding certain segments population sentencing murder others characterize december execution charles brooks inexcusably aberrational particular alleged prosecution brooks case failed prove whether accomplice one woodrow loudres eventually obtained sentence plea bargain fired fatal shot indeed brooks executed prosecutor joined seeking stay execution see goodpaster judicial review death sentences crim criminology los angeles times los angeles daily journal see also brooks estelle brennan marshall stevens dissenting denial stay brooks estelle per curiam complete list state statutes decisions see app brief respondent see also baldus pulaski woodworth kyle identifying comparatively excessive sentences death quantitative approach stan rev goodpaster supra although today holds constitutionally compelled conduct comparative proportionality reviews state course remains free continue practice ironically although california death penalty statute reviewed case require comparative proportionality review felony sentences state subject mandatory highly complex system comparative review see cal penal code ann west supp within one year commencement term imprisonment board prison terms shall review sentence determine whether sentence disparate comparison sentences imposed similar cases california therefore accords greater protection felons imprisoned felons may executed