gregg georgia argued march decided july petitioner charged committing armed robbery murder basis evidence killed robbed two men trial stage georgia bifurcated procedure jury found petitioner guilty two counts armed robbery two counts murder penalty stage judge instructed jury recommend either death sentence life prison sentence count free consider mitigating aggravating circumstances presented parties authorized consider imposing death sentence unless first found beyond reasonable doubt murder committed offender engaged commission capital felonies armed robberies victims committed murder purpose receiving victims money automobile murder outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman involved depravity mind defendant jury found first second aggravating circumstances returned sentence death georgia affirmed convictions reviewing trial transcript record comparing evidence sentence similar cases upheld death sentences murders concluding resulted prejudice arbitrary factor excessive disproportionate penalty applied similar cases vacated armed robbery sentences ground inter alia death penalty rarely imposed georgia offense petitioner challenges imposition death sentence georgia statute cruel unusual punishment eighth fourteenth amendments statute amended following furman georgia held violative amendments death sentences imposed statutes left juries untrammeled discretion impose withhold death penalty retains death penalty murder five crimes guilt innocence determined first stage bifurcated trial trial jury trial judge must charge lesser included offenses supported view evidence upon guilty verdict plea presentence hearing held judge jury hears additional extenuating mitigating evidence evidence aggravation punishment made known defendant trial least one specified aggravating circumstances must found exist beyond reasonable doubt designated writing death sentence imposed jury cases trial judge bound recommended sentence review death sentence automatic state must consider whether sentence influenced passion prejudice arbitrary factor whether evidence supports finding statutory aggravating circumstance whether death sentence excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant affirms death sentence must include decision reference similar cases considered held judgment affirmed pp affirmed justice stewart justice powell justice stevens concluded punishment death crime murder circumstances violate eighth fourteenth amendments pp eighth amendment interpreted flexible dynamic manner accord evolving standards decency forbids use punishment excessive either involves unnecessary wanton infliction pain grossly disproportionate severity crime pp though legislature may impose excessive punishment required select least severe penalty possible heavy burden rests upon attacking judgment pp existence capital punishment accepted framers constitution nearly two centuries recognized capital punishment crime murder invalid per se pp legislative measures adopted people chosen representatives weigh heavily ascertaining contemporary standards decency argument standards require eighth amendment construed prohibiting death penalty undercut fact four years since furman supra decided congress least enacted new statutes providing death penalty pp retribution possibility deterrence capital crimes prospective offenders impermissible considerations legislature weigh determining whether death penalty imposed said georgia legislative judgment penalty necessary cases clearly wrong pp capital punishment crime murder viewed invariably disproportionate severity crime concerns expressed furman death penalty imposed arbitrarily capriciously met carefully drafted statute ensures sentencing authority given adequate information guidance concerns best met system provides bifurcated proceeding sentencing authority apprised information relevant imposition sentence provided standards guide use information pp georgia statutory system petitioner sentenced death constitutional new procedures face satisfy concerns furman since death penalty imposed must specific jury findings circumstances crime character defendant state thereafter reviews comparability death sentence sentences imposed similarly situated defendants ensure sentence death particular case disproportionate petitioner contentions changes georgia sentencing procedures removed elements arbitrariness capriciousness condemned furman without merit pp opportunities georgia scheme affording individual defendant mercy whether prosecutor unfettered authority select wishes prosecute capital offenses plea bargain jury option convict defendant lesser included offense fact governor pardoning authority may commute death sentence render georgia statute unconstitutional petitioner arguments certain statutory aggravating circumstances broad vague lack merit since need given overly broad constructions already narrowed judicial construction one provision held impermissibly vague georgia petitioner argument sentencing procedure allows arbitrary grants mercy reflects misinterpretation furman ignores reviewing authority georgia determine whether death sentence proportional sentences imposed similar crimes petitioner also urges scope evidence argument considered presentence hearing wide desirable jury much information possible makes sentencing decision pp georgia sentencing scheme also provides automatic sentence review georgia safeguard prejudicial arbitrary factors case vacated petitioner death sentence armed robbery excessive penalty pp justice white joined chief justice justice rehnquist concluded georgia new statutory scheme enacted overcome constitutional deficiencies found furman georgia exist old system guides jury exercise discretion whether impose death penalty murder also gives georgia power imposes obligation decide whether fact death penalty administered given class crime discriminatory standardless rare fashion properly performs task assigned georgia statutes death sentences imposed discriminatory reasons wantonly freakishly given category crime set aside petitioner wholly failed establish georgia failed properly perform task instant case incapable performing task adequately cases thus death penalty may carried georgia legislative scheme consistently furman decision pp petitioner argument prosecutor decisions plea bargaining declining charge capital murder standardless result wanton freakish imposition death penalty condemned furman without merit assumption made prosecutors motivated charging decisions factors strength case likelihood jury impose death penalty convicts standards prosecutors decide whether charge capital felony jury decide questions guilt sentence pp petitioner argument death penalty however imposed whatever crime cruel unusual punishment untenable reasons stated justice white dissent roberts louisiana post justice blackmun concurred judgment see furman georgia blackmun dissenting burger dissenting powell dissenting rehnquist dissenting hughel harrison appointment argued cause filed brief petitioner thomas davis senior assistant attorney general georgia argued cause respondent brief arthur bolton attorney general robert stubbs ii chief deputy attorney general richard chambers deputy attorney general john ballard assistant attorney general bryant huff solicitor general bork argued cause amicus curiae brief deputy solicitor general randolph william james assistant attorney general argued cause state california amicus curiae brief evelle younger attorney general jack winkler chief assistant attorney general jack greenberg james nabrit iii peggy davis anthony amsterdam filed brief legal defense educational fund amicus curiae urging reversal arthur michaelson filed brief amnesty international amicus curiae judgment opinion justice stewart justice powell justice stevens announced justice stewart issue case whether imposition sentence death crime murder law georgia violates eighth fourteenth amendments petitioner troy gregg charged committing armed robbery murder accordance georgia procedure capital cases trial two stages guilt stage sentencing stage evidence guilt trial established november petitioner traveling companion floyd allen hitchhiking north florida picked fred simmons bob moore car broke continued north simmons purchased another vehicle cash carrying still florida picked another hitchhiker dennis weaver rode atlanta let short time later four men interrupted journey rest stop along highway next morning bodies simmons moore discovered ditch nearby november reading shootings atlanta newspaper weaver communicated gwinnett county police related information concerning journey victims including description car next afternoon petitioner allen simmons car arrested asheville search incident arrest pistol later shown used kill simmons moore found petitioner pocket receiving warnings required miranda arizona signing written waiver rights petitioner signed statement admitted shooting robbing simmons moore justified slayings grounds next day transferred lawrenceville petitioner allen taken scene shootings upon arriving allen recounted events leading slayings version events follows simmons moore left car petitioner stated intended rob petitioner took pistol hand positioned car improve aim simmons moore came embankment toward car petitioner fired three shots two men fell near ditch petitioner close range fired shot head robbed valuables drove away allen medical examiner testified simmons died bullet wound eye moore died bullet wounds cheek back head testified men several bruises abrasions face head probably sustained either fall ditch dragged pushed along embankment although allen testify police detective recounted substance allen statements slayings indicated directly allen made statements petitioner admitted allen account accurate petitioner testified defense confirmed allen made statements described detective denied truth ever admitted accuracy indicated shot simmons moore fear testifying attacked allen one wielding pipe knife trial judge submitted murder charges jury theories also instructed issue declined instruct manslaughter submitted robbery case jury theory lesser included offense robbery intimidation jury found petitioner guilty two counts armed robbery two counts murder penalty stage took place jury neither prosecutor petitioner lawyer offered additional evidence counsel however made lengthy arguments dealing generally propriety capital punishment circumstances weight evidence guilt trial judge instructed jury recommend either death sentence life prison sentence count judge charged jury determining sentence appropriate jury free consider facts circumstances presented parties mitigation aggravation finally judge instructed jury authorized consider imposing penalty death unless first found beyond reasonable doubt one aggravating circumstances one offense murder committed offender engaged commission two capital felonies armed robbery simmons moore two offender committed offense murder purpose receiving money automobile described indictment three offense murder outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman sic involved depravity mind defendant tr georgia affirmed convictions imposition death sentences murder reviewing trial transcript record including evidence comparing evidence sentence similar cases accordance requirements georgia law concluded considering nature crime defendant sentences death resulted prejudice arbitrary factor excessive disproportionate penalty applied similar cases death sentences imposed armed robbery however vacated grounds death penalty rarely imposed georgia offense jury improperly considered murders aggravating circumstances robberies considered armed robberies aggravating circumstances murders granted petitioner application writ certiorari limited challenge imposition death sentences case cruel unusual punishment violation eighth fourteenth amendments ii considering issues presented necessary understand georgia statutory scheme imposition death penalty georgia statute amended decision furman georgia retains death penalty six categories crime murder kidnaping ransom victim harmed armed robbery rape treason aircraft hijacking code ann capital defendant guilt innocence determined traditional manner either trial judge jury first stage bifurcated trial trial jury trial judge required charge lesser included offenses supported view evidence sims state see linder state app verdict finding plea guilty capital crime presentence hearing conducted whoever made determination guilt sentencing procedures essentially bench jury trials hearing judge jury shall hear additional evidence extenuation mitigation aggravation punishment including record prior criminal convictions pleas guilty pleas nolo contendere defendant absence prior conviction pleas provided however evidence aggravation state made known defendant prior trial shall admissible judge jury shall also hear argument defendant counsel prosecuting attorney regarding punishment imposed supp assessment appropriate sentence imposed judge also required consider include instructions jury mitigating circumstances aggravating circumstances otherwise authorized law statutory aggravating circumstances may supported evidence supp scope aggravating mitigating circumstances delineated statute convicted defendant may sentenced death however except cases treason aircraft hijacking jury trial judge cases tried without jury must find beyond reasonable doubt one aggravating circumstances specified statute sentence death may imposed jury judge finds one statutory aggravating circumstances elects impose sentence supp verdict death jury judge must specify aggravating circumstance found supp jury cases trial judge bound jury recommended sentence supp addition conventional appellate process available criminal cases provision made special expedited direct review georgia appropriateness imposing sentence death particular case directed consider punishment well errors enumerated way appeal determine whether sentence death imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor whether cases treason aircraft hijacking evidence supports jury judge finding statutory aggravating circumstance enumerated section whether sentence death excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant supp transcript complete record trial well separate report trial judge transmitted use reviewing sentence supp report form questionnaire designed elicit information defendant crime circumstances trial requires trial judge characterize trial several ways designed test arbitrariness disproportionality sentence included report responses detailed questions concerning quality defendant representation whether race played role trial whether trial judgment doubt defendant guilt appropriateness sentence copy report served upon defense counsel special review authority may either affirm death sentence remand case resentencing cases death sentence affirmed remains possibility executive clemency iii address initially basic contention punishment death crime murder circumstances cruel unusual violation eighth fourteenth amendments constitution part iv opinion consider sentence death imposed georgia statutes issue case number occasions assumed asserted constitutionality capital punishment several cases assumption provided necessary foundation decision asked decide whether particular method carrying capital sentence allowed stand eighth amendment furman georgia never confronted squarely fundamental claim punishment death always regardless enormity offense procedure followed imposing sentence cruel unusual punishment violation constitution although issue presented addressed furman resolved four justices held capital punishment unconstitutional per se two justices reached opposite conclusion three justices agreeing statutes invalid applied left open question whether punishment may ever imposed hold punishment death invariably violate constitution history prohibition cruel unusual punishment already reviewed length phrase first appeared english bill rights drafted parliament accession william mary see granucci cruel unusual punishments inflicted original meaning rev english version appears directed punishments unauthorized statute beyond jurisdiction sentencing well disproportionate offense involved american draftsmen adopted english phrasing drafting eighth amendment primarily concerned however proscribing tortures barbarous methods punishment earliest cases raising eighth amendment claims focused particular methods execution determine whether cruel pass constitutional muster constitutionality sentence death issue criterion used evaluate mode execution similarity torture barbarous methods see wilkerson utah safe affirm punishments torture others line unnecessary cruelty forbidden amendment kemmler punishments cruel involve torture lingering death see also louisiana ex rel francis resweber second attempt electrocution found violate eighth amendment since failure initial execution attempt unforeseeable accident purpose inflict unnecessary pain unnecessary pain involved proposed execution confined prohibition embodied eighth amendment barbarous methods generally outlawed century instead amendment interpreted flexible dynamic manner early recognized principle vital must capable wider application mischief gave birth weems thus clause forbidding cruel unusual punishments fastened obsolete may acquire meaning public opinion becomes enlightened humane justice see also furman georgia powell dissenting trop dulles plurality opinion weems addressed constitutionality philippine punishment cadena temporal crime falsifying official document punishment included imprisonment least years one day chains hard painful labor loss many basic civil rights subjection lifetime surveillance although acknowledged possibility cruelty pain may present challenged punishment rely factor rejected proposition eighth amendment reaches punishments inhuman barbarous torture like rather focused lack proportion crime offense penalties offenses amaze formed conception relation state even offending citizens practice american commonwealths believe precept justice punishment crime graduated proportioned offense substantive limits imposed eighth amendment made criminal punished discussed robinson california found unconstitutional state statute made status addicted narcotic drug criminal offense held effect cruel unusual impose punishment mere status addiction cruelty abstract actual sentence imposed irrelevant even one day prison cruel unusual punishment crime common cold recently furman georgia supra three justices separate concurring opinions found eighth amendment applicable procedures employed select convicted defendants sentence death clear foregoing precedents eighth amendment regarded static concept chief justice warren said oftquoted phrase amendment must draw meaning evolving standards decency mark progress maturing society trop dulles supra see also jackson bishop cf robinson california supra thus assessment contemporary values concerning infliction challenged sanction relevant application eighth amendment develop fully see infra assessment call subjective judgment requires rather look objective indicia reflect public attitude toward given sanction cases also make clear public perceptions standards decency respect criminal sanctions conclusive penalty also must accord dignity man basic concept underlying eighth amendment trop dulles supra plurality opinion means least punishment excessive form punishment abstract case whether capital punishment may ever imposed sanction murder rather particular propriety death penalty applied specific defendant specific crime consideration inquiry excessiveness two aspects first punishment must involve unnecessary wanton infliction pain furman georgia supra burger dissenting see wilkerson utah weems supra second punishment must grossly proportion severity crime trop dulles supra plurality opinion dictum weems supra course requirements eighth amendment must applied awareness limited role played courts mean judges role play eighth amendment restraint upon exercise legislative power judicial review definition often involves conflict judicial legislative judgment constitution means requires respect eighth amendment cases come us different posture seems conceded amendment imposes obligations judiciary judge constitutionality punishment punishments amendment bar whether legislatively approved furman georgia white concurring obligation insure constitutional bounds overreached may act judges might legislators courts representative bodies designed good reflex democratic society judgment best informed therefore dependable within narrow limits essential quality detachment founded independence history teaches independence judiciary jeopardized courts become embroiled passions day assume primary responsibility choosing competing political economic social pressures dennis frankfurter concurring affirmance judgment true part constitutional test intertwined assessment contemporary standards legislative judgment weighs heavily ascertaining standards democratic society legislatures courts constituted respond consequently moral values people furman georgia supra burger dissenting deference owe decisions state legislatures federal system rehnquist dissenting enhanced specification punishments concerned peculiarly questions legislative policy gore cf robinson california trop dulles plurality opinion kemmler caution necessary lest become aegis cruel unusual punishment clause ultimate arbiter standards criminal responsibility throughout country powell texas plurality opinion decision given punishment impermissible eighth amendment reversed short constitutional amendment ability people express preference normal democratic processes well ballot referenda shut revisions made light experience see furman georgia supra powell dissenting discussion point sought identify principles considerations guide addressing eighth amendment claim consider specifically whether sentence death crime murder per se violation eighth fourteenth amendments constitution note first history precedent strongly support negative answer question imposition death penalty crime murder long history acceptance england rule imposed mandatory death sentence convicted murderers mcgautha california penalty continued used century american although breadth rule diminished initially narrowing class murders punished death subsequently widespread adoption laws expressly granting juries discretion recommend mercy see woodson north carolina post apparent text constitution existence capital punishment accepted framers time eighth amendment ratified capital punishment common sanction every state indeed first congress enacted legislation providing death penalty specified crimes stat fifth amendment adopted time eighth contemplated continued existence capital sanction imposing certain limits prosecution capital cases person shall held answer capital otherwise infamous crime unless presentment indictment grand jury shall person subject offense twice put jeopardy life limb deprived life liberty property without due process law nearly two centuries repeatedly often expressly recognized capital punishment invalid per se wilkerson utah found constitutional violation inflicting death public shooting said cruel unusual punishments forbidden constitution authorities referred quite sufficient show punishment shooting mode executing death penalty crime murder first degree included category within meaning eighth amendment punishment death cruel within meaning word used constitution implies something inhuman barbarous something mere extinguishment life whatever arguments may capital punishment moral grounds terms accomplishing purposes punishment death penalty employed throughout history day still widely accepted said violate constitutional concept cruelty petitioners capital cases today renew standards decency argument developments four years since furman undercut substantially assumptions upon argument rested despite continuing debate dating back century morality utility capital punishment evident large proportion american society continues regard appropriate necessary criminal sanction marked indication society endorsement death penalty murder legislative response furman legislatures least enacted new statutes provide death penalty least crimes result death another person congress enacted statute providing death penalty aircraft piracy results death recently adopted statutes attempted address concerns expressed furman primarily specifying factors weighed procedures followed deciding impose capital sentence ii making death penalty mandatory specified crimes statutes make clear capital punishment rejected elected representatives people statewide referendum occurring since furman brought attention people california adopted constitutional amendment authorized capital punishment effect negating prior ruling california people anderson cal cert denied death penalty violated california constitution jury also significant reliable objective index contemporary values directly involved see furman georgia powell dissenting see generally powell jury trial crimes lee rev said one important functions jury perform making selection life imprisonment death defendant convicted capital case maintain link contemporary community values penal system witherspoon illinois may true evolving standards influenced juries recent decades discriminating imposing sentence death relative infrequency jury verdicts imposing death sentence indicate rejection capital punishment per se rather reluctance juries many cases impose sentence may well reflect humane feeling irrevocable sanctions reserved small number extreme cases see furman georgia supra burger dissenting indeed actions juries many since furman fully compatible legislative judgments reflected new statutes continued utility necessity capital punishment appropriate cases close least persons sentenced death since furman end march persons subject death sentences seen however eighth amendment demands challenged punishment acceptable contemporary society also must ask whether comports basic concept human dignity core amendment trop dulles plurality opinion although invalidate category penalties deem less severe penalties adequate serve ends penology furman georgia supra powell dissenting sanction imposed totally without penological justification results gratuitous infliction suffering cf wilkerson utah kemmler death penalty said serve two principal social purposes retribution deterrence capital crimes prospective offenders part capital punishment expression society moral outrage particularly offensive conduct function may unappealing many essential ordered society asks citizens rely legal processes rather vindicate wrongs instinct retribution part nature man channeling instinct administration criminal justice serves important purpose promoting stability society governed law people begin believe organized society unwilling unable impose upon criminal offenders punishment deserve sown seeds anarchy vigilante justice lynch law furman georgia supra stewart concurring retribution longer dominant objective criminal law williams new york neither forbidden objective one inconsistent respect dignity men furman georgia burger dissenting powell dissenting powell texas plurality opinion indeed decision capital punishment may appropriate sanction extreme cases expression community belief certain crimes grievous affront humanity adequate response may penalty death fter possible inquiry including probing possible methods inquiry know systematic easily visible reasons know truth deterrent effect may inescapable flaw social conditions state constant time social conditions two effect observed observed effects one way another large one tell whether effect attributable presence absence capital punishment scientific say soundly based conclusion simply impossible methodological path tangle suggests black capital punishment inevitability caprice mistake value capital punishment deterrent crime complex factual issue resolution properly rests legislatures evaluate results statistical studies terms local conditions flexibility approach available courts furman georgia supra burger dissenting indeed many statutes reflect responsible effort define crimes criminals capital punishment probably effective deterrent sum say judgment georgia legislature capital punishment may necessary cases clearly wrong considerations federalism well respect ability legislature evaluate terms particular state moral consensus concerning death penalty social utility sanction require us conclude absence convincing evidence infliction death punishment murder without justification thus unconstitutionally severe finally must consider whether punishment death disproportionate relation crime imposed question death punishment unique severity irrevocability furman georgia brennan concurring stewart concurring defendant life stake particularly sensitive insure every safeguard observed powell alabama reid covert harlan concurring result concerned imposition capital punishment crime murder life taken deliberately offender say punishment invariably disproportionate crime extreme sanction suitable extreme crimes hold death penalty form punishment may never imposed regardless circumstances offense regardless character offender regardless procedure followed reaching decision impose iv consider whether georgia may impose death penalty petitioner case furman hold infliction death penalty per se violates constitution ban cruel unusual punishments recognize penalty death different kind punishment imposed system criminal justice uniqueness death penalty furman held imposed sentencing procedures created substantial risk inflicted arbitrary capricious manner justice white concluded death penalty exacted great infrequency even atrocious crimes meaningful basis distinguishing cases imposed many cases concurring indeed death sentences examined furman cruel unusual way struck lightning cruel unusual people convicted capital crimes many reprehensible petitioners furman among capriciously selected random handful upon sentence death fact imposed eighth fourteenth amendments tolerate infliction sentence death legal systems permit unique penalty wantonly freakishly imposed stewart concurring furman mandates discretion afforded sentencing body matter grave determination whether human life taken spared discretion must suitably directed limited minimize risk wholly arbitrary capricious action certainly novel proposition discretion area sentencing exercised informed manner long recognized determination sentences justice generally requires taken account circumstances offense together character propensities offender pennsylvania ex rel sullivan ashe see also williams oklahoma williams new york otherwise system function consistent rational manner american bar association project standards criminal justice sentencing alternatives procedures commentary app draft see also president commission law enforcement administration justice challenge crime free society ali model penal code comment pp tent draft cited studies assumed trial judge sentencing authority experienced trial judge daily faces difficult task imposing sentences vital need accurate information defendant crime committed order able impose rational sentence typical criminal case accurate sentencing information indispensable prerequisite reasoned determination whether defendant shall live die jury people may never made sentencing decision jury sentencing considered desirable capital cases order maintain link contemporary community values penal system link without determination punishment hardly reflect evolving standards decency mark progress maturing society creates special problems much information relevant sentencing decision may relevance question guilt may even extremely prejudicial fair determination question problem however scarcely insurmountable studied question suggest bifurcated procedure one question sentence considered determination guilt made best answer drafters model penal code concluded unitary proceeding used determination punishment must based less evidence bearing issue example previous criminal record accused evidence must admitted ground relevant sentence though excluded irrelevant prejudicial respect guilt innocence alone trial lawyers understandably little confidence solution admits evidence trusts instruction jury considered determining penalty disregarded assessing guilt obvious solution bifurcate proceeding abiding strictly rules evidence unless conviction guilt determined opening record information relevant sentence analogue procedure ordinary case capital punishment issue conducts separate inquiry imposing sentence ali model penal code comment pp tent draft provision relevant information fair procedural rules alone sufficient guarantee information properly used imposition punishment especially sentencing performed jury since members jury little previous experience sentencing unlikely skilled dealing information given see american bar association project standards criminal justice sentencing alternatives procedures commentary pp approved draft president commission law enforcement administration justice challenge crime free society task force report courts extent problem inherent jury sentencing may totally correctible seems clear however problem alleviated jury given guidance regarding factors crime defendant state representing organized society deems particularly relevant sentencing decision idea jury given guidance decisionmaking also hardly novel proposition juries invariably given careful instructions law apply authorized decide merits lawsuit virtually unthinkable follow course legal system traditionally operated following prior precedents fixed rules law see gasoline products champlin refining fed rule civ proc erroneous instructions given retrial often required quite simply hallmark legal system juries carefully adequately guided deliberations suggested standards guide capital jury sentencing deliberation impossible formulate fact standards developed drafters model penal code faced problem concluded within realm possibility point main circumstances aggravation mitigation weighed weighed presented concrete case ali model penal code comment tent draft emphasis original standards necessity somewhat general provide guidance sentencing authority thereby reduce likelihood impose sentence fairly called capricious arbitrary sentencing authority required specify factors relied upon reaching decision safeguard meaningful appellate review available ensure death sentences imposed capriciously freakish manner summary concerns expressed furman penalty death imposed arbitrary capricious manner 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 intend suggest procedures permissible furman sentencing system constructed along general lines inevitably satisfy concerns furman distinct system must examined individual basis rather embarked upon general exposition make clear possible construct systems capable meeting furman constitutional concerns turn consideration constitutionality georgia procedures wake furman georgia amended capital punishment statute chose narrow scope murder provisions see part ii supra thus furman georgia person commits murder unlawfully malice aforethought either express implied causes death another human code persons convicted murder shall punished death imprisonment life georgia act however narrow class murderers subject capital punishment specifying statutory aggravating circumstances one must found jury exist beyond reasonable doubt death sentence ever imposed addition jury authorized consider appropriate aggravating mitigating circumstances supp jury required find mitigating circumstance order make recommendation mercy binding trial see supp must find statutory aggravating circumstance recommending sentence death procedures require jury consider circumstances crime criminal recommends sentence longer georgia jury furman jury reach finding defendant guilt without guidance direction decide whether live die instead jury attention directed specific circumstances crime committed course another capital felony committed money committed upon peace officer judicial officer committed particularly heinous way manner endangered lives many persons addition jury attention focused characteristics person committed crime record prior convictions capital offenses special facts defendant mitigate imposing capital punishment youth extent cooperation police emotional state time crime result jury discretion still exists discretion exercised controlled clear objective standards produce application coley state important additional safeguard arbitrariness caprice georgia statutory scheme provides automatic appeal death sentences state required statute review sentence death determine whether imposed influence passion prejudice whether evidence supports jury finding statutory aggravating circumstance whether sentence disproportionate compared sentences imposed similar cases supp short georgia new sentencing procedures require prerequisite imposition death penalty specific jury findings circumstances crime character defendant moreover guard situation comparable presented furman georgia compares death sentence sentences imposed similarly situated defendants ensure sentence death particular case disproportionate face procedures seem satisfy concerns furman longer meaningful basis distinguishing cases death penalty imposed many cases white concurring petitioner contends however changes georgia sentencing procedures cosmetic arbitrariness capriciousness condemned furman continue exist georgia traditional practices still remain new sentencing procedures adopted response furman first petitioner focuses opportunities discretionary action inherent processing murder case georgia law notes state prosecutor unfettered authority select persons wishes prosecute capital offense plea bargain trial jury may choose convict defendant lesser included offense rather find guilty crime punishable death even evidence support capital verdict finally defendant convicted sentenced die may sentence commuted governor state georgia board pardons paroles existence discretionary stages determinative issues us stages actor criminal justice system makes decision may remove defendant consideration candidate death penalty furman contrast dealt decision impose death sentence specific individual convicted capital offense nothing cases suggests decision afford individual defendant mercy violates constitution furman held order minimize risk death penalty imposed capriciously selected group offenders decision impose guided standards sentencing authority focus particularized circumstances crime defendant petitioner contends procedures adopted georgia response furman eliminate dangers arbitrariness caprice jury sentencing held furman violative eighth fourteenth amendments claims statute broad vague leave juries free act arbitrarily capriciously wish deciding whether impose death penalty claim jury case relied upon vague overbroad provision establish existence statutory aggravating circumstance petitioner looks sentencing system whole furman today argues fails reduce sufficiently risk arbitrary infliction death sentences specifically gregg urges statutory aggravating circumstances broad vague sentencing procedure allows arbitrary grants mercy scope evidence argument considered presentence hearing wide petitioner attacks seventh statutory aggravating circumstance authorizes imposition death penalty murder outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman involved torture depravity mind aggravated battery victim contending broad capital punishment imposed murder case course arguable murder involves depravity mind aggravated battery language need construed way reason assume georgia adopt construction one case upheld jury decision sentence defendant death statutory aggravating circumstance found seventh see mccorquodale state homicide horrifying petitioner also argues two statutory aggravating circumstances vague therefore susceptible widely differing interpretations thus creating substantial risk death penalty arbitrarily inflicted georgia juries light decisions georgia must disagree first petitioner attacks part authorizes jury consider whether defendant substantial history serious assaultive criminal convictions georgia however demonstrated concern new sentencing procedures provide guidance juries held provision impermissibly vague arnold state provide jury sufficiently clear objective standards second petitioner points speaks creating great risk death one person phrase might susceptible overly broad interpretation georgia construed case upheld conviction reliance aggravating circumstance involved man stood church fired gun indiscriminately audience see chenault state hand expressly reversed finding great risk victim simply kidnaped parking lot see jarrell state petitioner next argues requirements furman met jury power decline impose death penalty even finds one statutory aggravating circumstances present case contention misinterprets furman see supra moreover ignores role georgia reviews death sentence determine whether proportional sentences imposed similar crimes since proportionality requirement review intended prevent caprice decision inflict penalty isolated decision jury afford mercy render unconstitutional death sentences imposed defendants sentenced system create substantial risk arbitrariness caprice petitioner objects finally wide scope evidence argument allowed presentence hearings think georgia wisely chosen impose unnecessary restrictions evidence offered hearing approve open argument see brown state long evidence introduced arguments made presentence hearing prejudice defendant preferable impose restrictions think desirable jury much information possible makes sentencing decision see supra finally georgia statute additional provision designed assure death penalty imposed capriciously selected group convicted defendants new sentencing procedures require state review every death sentence determine whether imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor whether evidence supports findings statutory aggravating circumstance hether sentence death excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant supp performing function georgia held death penalty rarely imposed act substantially line sentences imposed acts set aside excessive coley state another occasion stated view duty similarity standard assure death sentence affirmed unless similar cases throughout state death penalty imposed generally moore state see also jarrell state supra standard whether juries generally throughout state imposed death penalty smith state found clear pattern jury behavior apparent georgia taken review responsibilities seriously coley held prior cases indicate past practice among juries faced similar factual situations like aggravating circumstances impose sentence life imprisonment offense rape rather death thereupon reduced coley sentence death life imprisonment similarly although armed robbery capital offense georgia law georgia concluded death sentences imposed case crime unusual rarely imposed armed robbery thus test provided statute must considered excessive disproportionate penalties imposed similar cases therefore vacated gregg death sentences armed robbery followed similar course every armed robbery death penalty case come see floyd state jarrell state see dorsey state provision appellate review georgia system serves check random arbitrary imposition death penalty particular proportionality review substantially eliminates possibility person sentenced die action aberrant jury time comes juries generally impose death sentence certain kind murder case appellate review procedures assure defendant convicted circumstances suffer sentence death basic concern furman centered defendants condemned death capriciously arbitrarily procedures case sentencing authorities directed give attention nature circumstances crime committed character record defendant left unguided juries imposed death sentence way called freakish new georgia sentencing procedures contrast focus jury attention particularized nature crime particularized characteristics individual defendant jury permitted consider aggravating mitigating circumstances must find identify least one statutory aggravating factor may impose penalty death way jury discretion channeled longer jury wantonly freakishly impose death sentence always circumscribed legislative guidelines addition review function georgia affords additional assurance concerns prompted decision furman present significant degree georgia procedure applied reasons expressed opinion hold statutory system gregg sentenced death violate constitution accordingly judgment georgia affirmed ordered footnotes held part trial err refusing instruct jury respect voluntary manslaughter since evidence support verdict subsequent trial case limited portions georgia statute amended none amendments changed significantly substance statutory scheme references statute opinion current version georgia code ann provides person commits murder unlawfully malice aforethought either express implied causes death another human express malice deliberate intention unlawfully take away life fellow creature manifested external circumstances capable proof malice shall implied considerable provocation appears circumstances killing show abandoned malignant heart person also commits crime murder commission felony causes death another human irrespective malice person convicted murder shall punished death imprisonment life section provides person commits armed robbery intent commit theft takes property another person immediate presence another use offensive weapon offense robbery intimidation shall lesser included offense offense armed robbery person convicted armed robbery shall punished death imprisonment life imprisonment less one years capital felonies currently defined furman decided amendments georgia statute however narrowed class crimes potentially punishable death eliminating capital perjury compare supp clear whether amendments georgia statute intended broaden types evidence admissible presentence hearing compare supp deletion limitation subject laws evidence essentially procedures followed case guilty plea judge considers factual basis plea well evidence aggravation mitigation see mitchell state statute provides part death penalty may imposed offenses aircraft hijacking treason case cases offenses death penalty may authorized judge shall consider shall include instructions jury consider mitigating circumstances aggravating circumstances otherwise authorized law following statutory aggravating circumstances may supported evidence offense murder rape armed robbery kidnapping committed person prior record conviction capital felony offense murder committed person substantial history serious assaultive criminal convictions offense murder rape armed robbery kidnapping committed offender engaged commission another capital felony aggravated battery offense murder committed offender engaged commission burglary arson first degree offender act murder armed robbery kidnapping knowingly created great risk death one person public place means weapon device normally hazardous lives one person offender committed offense murder another purpose receiving money thing monetary value murder judicial officer former judicial officer district attorney solicitor former district attorney solicitor exercise official duty offender caused directed another commit murder committed murder agent employee another person offense murder rape armed robbery kidnapping outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman involved torture depravity mind aggravated battery victim offense murder committed peace officer corrections employee fireman engaged performance official duties offense murder committed person escaped lawful custody peace officer place lawful confinement murder committed purpose avoiding interfering preventing lawful arrest custody place lawful confinement another statutory instructions determined trial judge warranted evidence shall given charge writing jury deliberation jury verdict recommendation death shall designate writing signed foreman jury aggravating circumstance circumstances found beyond reasonable doubt cases judge shall make designation except cases treason aircraft hijacking unless least one statutory aggravating circumstances enumerated section found death penalty shall imposed supp statute requires georgia obtain preserve records capital felony cases death penalty imposed january earlier date considers appropriate supp aid disposition cases statute provides appointment special assistant authorizes employment additional staff members supp see ga art code ann code ann supp board pardons paroles authorized commute sentence death except cases governor refuses suspend sentence louisiana ex rel francis resweber kemmler wilkerson utah see also mcgautha california witherspoon illinois trop dulles plurality opinion burger dissenting blackmun dissenting powell dissenting rehnquist dissenting brennan concurring marshall concurring douglas concurring stewart concurring white concurring since five justices wrote separately support judgments furman holding may viewed position taken members concurred judgments narrowest grounds justice stewart justice white see infra marshall concurring conclusion derives primarily statements made debates various state conventions called ratify federal constitution example virginia delegate patrick henry objected vehemently lack provision banning cruel unusual punishments distinguished ancestors admit tortures cruel barbarous punishment congress may introduce practice civil law preference common law may introduce practice france spain germany torturing extort confession crime elliot debates nowhere restrained inventing cruel punishments annexing crimes constitutional check racks gibbets may amongst mild instruments discipline elliot supra remarked fact law review come us government different form genius also noted punishments inflicted bad attributes even found federal enactment taken alien source although legislative measures adopted people chosen representatives provide one important means ascertaining contemporary values evident legislative judgments alone determinative eighth amendment standards since amendment intended safeguard individuals abuse legislative power see weems furman georgia brennan concurring robinson california illustrates proposition penal laws enacted state legislatures may violate eighth amendment light contemporary human knowledge doubtless universally thought infliction cruel unusual punishment time robinson nine addition california criminal laws punished addiction similar law declared unconstitutional robinson see brief appellant robinson california see also furman georgia supra blackmun dissenting allow personal preferences wisdom legislative congressional action distaste action guide judicial decision cases temptations cross policy line great see concurring opinions justice brennan justice marshall see concurring opinions justice douglas justice stewart justice white rev stat ann supp ark stat ann supp cal penal code supp laws stat rev del code ann tit supp stat ann supp code ann supp idaho code supp ann stat supp ind stat ann rev stat ann la rev stat ann supp md ann code art supp miss code ann supp mo ann stat supp mont rev codes ann spec crim code supp neb rev stat rev stat rev stat ann stat ann supp penal law stat supp ohio rev code ann stat ann tit supp laws act laws ann supp code ann supp code ann tex penal code ann utah code ann supp code ann rev code supp wyo stat ann supp antihijacking act supp iv people massachusetts asked shall commonwealth retain death penalty crime substantial majority ballots cast answered yes ballots cast voted yes voted blank see commonwealth mass reardon dissenting december gallup poll indicated people favored death penalty june harris survey showed support vidmar ellsworth public opinion death penalty stan rev december referendum voters illinois also rejected abolition capital punishment votes votes report governor study commission capital punishment number prisoners received death sentences years varied high low wide fluctuations intervening years department justice national prisoner statistics bulletin capital punishment estimated furman less convicted murder sentenced death authorized capital punishment see woodson north carolina post department justice national prisoner statistics bulletin capital punishment pp another purpose discussed incapacitation dangerous criminals consequent prevention crimes may otherwise commit future see people anderson cal cert denied commonwealth supra see packer limits criminal sanction lord justice denning master rolls appeal england spoke effect british royal commission capital punishment punishment way society expresses denunciation wrong order maintain respect law essential punishment inflicted grave crimes adequately reflect revulsion felt great majority citizens mistake consider objects punishment deterrent reformative preventive nothing else truth crimes outrageous society insists adequate punishment deserves irrespective whether deterrent royal commission capital punishment minutes evidence see peck deterrent effect capital punishment ehrlich critics yale baldus cole comparison work thorsten sellin isaac ehrlich deterrent effect capital punishment yale bowers pierce illusion deterrence isaac ehrlich research capital punishment yale ehrlich deterrent effect capital punishment question life death econ rev june hook death sentence death penalty america bedau ed sellin death penalty report model penal code project american law institute see death penalty america supra report royal commission capital punishment cmd types calculated murders apparently occurring increasing frequency include use bombs means indiscriminate killings extortion murder hostages kidnap victims killing witnesses crime shown statistics breaking total number murders categories described overall trend number murders committed nation however upward time reported murders totaled estimated ensuing decade number reported increased totaled approximately year furman announced total estimated despite fractional decrease compared number murders increased three years immediately following furman approximately increase almost see fbi uniform crime reports preliminary annual release address question whether taking criminal life proportionate sanction victim deprived life example capital punishment imposed rape kidnaping armed robbery result death human view expressed members concurred judgments see douglas brennan dissenters viewed concern basis furman decision decisive grievance opinions present system discretionary sentencing capital cases failed produce justice selection process followed rational pattern burger dissenting federal rules criminal procedure require matter course presentence report containing information defendant background prepared use sentencing judge rule importance obtaining accurate sentencing information underscored rule direction sentencing afford defendant counsel opportunity comment report discretion introduce testimony information relating alleged factual inaccuracy contained presentence report rule indeed hold elsewhere today capital cases constitutionally required sentencing authority information sufficient enable consider character individual circumstances defendant prior imposition death sentence see woodson north carolina post witherspoon illinois quoting trop dulles plurality opinion see also report royal commission capital punishment cmd situations concluded jury expected consider certain evidence one issue another see bruton jackson denno jackson considered statute provided defendant pleaded guilty maximum penalty life imprisonment defendant chose go trial maximum penalty upon conviction death holding statute constitutionally invalid noted inevitable effect provision course discourage assertion fifth amendment right plead guilty deter exercise sixth amendment right demand jury trial provision purpose effect chill assertion constitutional rights penalizing choose exercise patently unconstitutional see md art xv trial criminal cases jury shall judges law well fact see also md code art maryland judges however typically give advisory instructions law jury see md rule wilson state md see mcgautha california report royal commission capital punishment cmd model penal code proposes following standards aggravating circumstances murder committed convict sentence imprisonment defendant previously convicted another murder felony involving use threat violence person time murder committed defendant also committed another murder defendant knowingly created great risk death many persons murder committed defendant engaged accomplice commission attempt commit flight committing attempting commit robbery rape deviate sexual intercourse force threat force arson burglary kidnapping murder committed purpose avoiding preventing lawful arrest effecting escape lawful custody murder committed pecuniary gain murder especially heinous atrocious cruel manifesting exceptional depravity mitigating circumstances defendant significant history prior criminal activity murder committed defendant influence extreme mental emotional disturbance victim participant defendant homicidal conduct consented homicidal act murder committed circumstances defendant believed provide moral justification extenuation conduct defendant accomplice murder committed another person participation homicidal act relatively minor defendant acted duress domination another person time murder capacity defendant appreciate criminality wrongfulness conduct conform conduct requirements law impaired result mental disease defect intoxication youth defendant time crime ali model penal code proposed official draft justice brennan noted mcgautha california supra dissenting opinion ven state notion wise capital sentencing policy policy implemented formula capable mechanical application reason give guidance called upon render decision system standards vague fail adequately channel sentencing decision patterns juries result pattern arbitrary capricious sentencing like found unconstitutional furman occur mcgautha california supra held due process clause fourteenth amendment require jury provided standards guide decision whether recommend sentence life imprisonment death proceeding separated process mcgautha eighth amendment decision extent purported deal eighth amendment concerns must read light opinions furman georgia ruled death sentences imposed statutes left juries untrammeled discretion impose withhold death penalty violated eighth fourteenth amendments furman overrule mcgautha clearly substantial tension broad reading mcgautha holding view furman mcgautha viewed rationally precedent proposition standardless jury sentencing procedures employed cases violate due process clause note mcgautha assumption possible devise standards guide regularize jury sentencing capital cases undermined subsequent experience view experience considerations set forth text adhere furman determination ultimate punishment death issue system standardless jury discretion violates eighth fourteenth amendments text statute enumerating various aggravating circumstances set supra see moore state petitioner argument nothing veiled contention furman indirectly outlawed capital punishment placing totally unrealistic conditions use order repair alleged defects pointed petitioner necessary require prosecuting authorities charge capital offense whenever arguably capital murder refuse plea bargain defendant jury refused convict even though evidence supported charge verdict reversed verdict guilty entered new trial ordered since discretionary act jury nullification permitted finally acts executive clemency prohibited system course totally alien notions criminal justice moreover unconstitutional system many respects vices mandatory death penalty statutes hold unconstitutional today woodson north carolina post roberts louisiana post suggestion jury verdict acquittal overturned defendant retried run afoul sixth amendment guarantee double jeopardy clause fifth amendment federal system also unconstitutional prohibit president deciding act executive clemency reprieve one sentenced death art ii light limited grant certiorari see supra review vagueness overbreadth statutory aggravating circumstances consider whether imprecision renders system invalid eighth fourteenth amendments incapable imposing capital punishment arbitrariness caprice course interpreting florida new statute florida ruled phrase especially heinous atrocious cruel means conscienceless pitiless crime unnecessarily torturous victim state dixon see proffitt florida post two reported cases indicate juries found aggravating circumstances based cases separate statutory aggravating circumstance also found georgia explicitly rely finding seventh circumstance upheld death sentence see jarrell state state upheld finding defendant committed two capital felonies kidnapping armed robbery course murder jury also found murder committed money great risk death bystanders created floyd state found committed capital felony armed robbery course murder petitioner also attacks vague noted answering overbreadth argument concerning section however state given broad reading scope provision reason think juries able understand see supra proffitt florida post petitioner also objects last part requires great risk created means weapon device normally hazardous lives one person state focused section seems reasonable assume great risk fact created likely weapon device normally hazardous one person created required specify opinion similar cases took consideration supp special provision made staff enable compile data relevant consideration sentence validity supp see generally supra petitioner claims procedure resulted inadequate basis measuring proportionality sentences first notes nonappealed capital convictions life sentence imposed cases involving homicides capital conviction obtained included group cases georgia uses comparative purposes georgia authority consider cases see ross state consider appealed murder cases life sentence imposed think petitioner argument establishes georgia review process ineffective petitioner complains georgia current practice using cases comparative examination practice necessary inception new procedure absence capital cases available comparison unconstitutional justice white chief justice justice rehnquist join concurring judgment furman georgia held death penalty administered georgia unconstitutional year georgia legislature enacted new statutory scheme death penalty may imposed several offenses including murder issue case whether death penalty imposed murder petitioner gregg new georgia statutory scheme may constitutionally carried agree may new georgia statutory scheme person convicted murder may receive sentence either death life imprisonment code ann georgia code ann supp sentence life imprisonment unless jury separate evidentiary proceeding immediately following verdict finds unanimously beyond reasonable doubt least one statutorily defined aggravating circumstance aggravating circumstances offense murder rape armed robbery kidnapping committed person prior record conviction capital felony offense murder committed person substantial history serious assaultive criminal convictions offense murder rape armed robbery kidnapping committed offender engaged commission another capital felony aggravated battery offense murder committed offender engaged commission burglary arson first degree offender act murder armed robbery kidnapping knowingly created great risk death one person public place means weapon device normally hazardous lives one person offender committed offense murder another purpose receiving money thing monetary value murder judicial officer former judicial officer district attorney solicitor former district attorney solicitor exercise official duty offender caused directed another commit murder committed murder agent employee another person offense murder rape armed robbery kidnapping outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman involved torture depravity mind aggravated battery victim offense murder committed peace officer corrections employee fireman engaged performance official duties offense murder committed person escaped lawful custody peace officer place lawful confinement murder committed purpose avoiding interfering preventing lawful arrest custody place lawful confinement another supp important aspect new georgia legislative scheme however provision appellate review prompt review georgia provided every case death penalty imposed assist deciding whether sustain death penalty georgia supplied every case report trial judge form standard questionnaire supp questionnaire contains inter alia six questions designed disclose whether race played role case one question asking trial judge whether evidence forecloses doubt respecting defendant guilt deciding whether death penalty sustained given case shall determine whether sentence death imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor whether cases treason aircraft hijacking evidence supports jury judge finding statutory aggravating circumstance enumerated section whether sentence death excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant ii petitioner troy gregg companion floyd allen hitchhiking florida asheville november picked automobile driven fred simmons bob moore drunk car broke simmons purchased new one pontiac using part large roll cash picking another hitchhiker florida dropping atlanta car proceeded north gwinnett county stopped moore simmons urinate car simmons shot eye moore shot right cheek back head died result november basis information supplied hitchhiker petitioner allen arrested asheville possession car simmons purchased petitioner possession gun killed simmons moore taken motel room petitioner staying new stereo car stereo player gwinnett county police arrived petitioner made statement admitting killed moore simmons asserting killed defense allen also admitted robbing taking car moments later petitioner asked shot moore simmons responded god wanted dead next morning petitioner allen released custody gwinnett county police transported two cars back gwinnett county way car stopped place moore simmons killed everyone got car allen asked petitioner presence killing occurred said sitting back seat pontiac half asleep woke car stopped simmons moore got soon petitioner turned around told allen get going rob allen said got walked toward back car looked around see petitioner gun hand leaning car get good aim simmons moore gone bank relieved coming bank petitioner fired three shots one men fell staggered petitioner circled around back approached two men lying ditch behind placed gun head one pulled trigger went quickly one placed gun head pulled trigger took money whatever pockets told allen get car drove away allen finished telling story one officers asked petitioner way happened petitioner hung head said officer said mean shot men cold blooded murder rob petitioner said yes officer asked petitioner said know petitioner indicted two counts murder two counts robbery trial petitioner defense killed testified behalf told version events similar originally told gwinnett county police confronted letter allen recounting version events similar testified instructing allen memorize burn letter petitioner conceded writing version events denied writing portion letter instructed allen memorize burn rebuttal state called handwriting expert testified entire letter written person jury instructed elements murder robbery trial judge gave instruction refused submit lesser included offense manslaughter jury returned verdicts guilty counts new evidence presented sentencing proceeding however prosecutor attorney petitioner made arguments jury issue punishment prosecutor emphasized strength case petitioner fact murdered order eliminate witnesses robbery defense attorney emphasized possibility mistake made petitioner guilty trial judge instructed jury sentencing function submitted three statutory aggravating circumstances stated counts one three wherein defendant charged murders found guilty murders simmons moore following aggravating circumstances consider say must find existed beyond reasonable doubt death penalty imposed one offense murder committed offender engaged commission two capital felonies armed robbery simmons moore two offender committed offense murder purpose receiving money automobile described indictment three offense murder outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman involved depravity mind defendant far counts two four counts armed robbery found defendant guilty may find inquire aggravating circumstances offense armed robbery committed offender engaged commission two capital felonies murders simmons moore offender committed offense armed robbery purpose receiving money automobile set forth indictment three offense armed robbery outrageously wantonly vile horrible inhuman involved depravity mind defendant find one aggravating circumstances existed beyond reasonable doubt refer individual count authorized consider imposing sentence death find one aggravating circumstances existed beyond reasonable doubt either counts authorized consider penalty death event sentence counts one three counts wherein defendant found guilty murder sentence imprisonment life tr appeal georgia affirmed death sentences murder counts vacated death sentences robbery counts concluded murder sentences imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor evidence supported finding statutory aggravating factor respect murders citing several cases death penalty imposed previously murders persons witnessed robbery held considering crimes defendant comparing evidence sentences case previous murder cases also opinion two sentences death excessive disproportionate penalties imposed similar cases hereto attached although indication two sentences imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor sentences imposed unusual rarely imposed offense thus test provided statute comparison code ann must considered excessive disproportionate penalties imposed similar cases ibid iii threshold question case whether death penalty may carried murder georgia legislative scheme consistent decision furman georgia supra furman held result giving sentencer unguided discretion impose impose death penalty murder penalty imposed discriminatorily wantonly freakishly infrequently given death sentence cruel unusual petitioner argues furman jury still sentencer statutory criteria considered jury issue sentence georgia new statutory scheme vague purport event circumstances jury required impose death penalty consequently petitioner argues death penalty inexorably imposed discriminatory standardless rare manner imposed scheme declared invalid furman argument considerably overstated georgia legislature made effort identify aggravating factors considers necessary relevant question whether defendant convicted capital murder sentenced death jury imposes sentence instructed statutory aggravating factors supported evidence told may impose death penalty unless unanimously finds least one factors established beyond reasonable doubt georgia legislature plainly made effort guide jury exercise discretion time permitting jury dispense mercy basis factors intangible write statute accept naked assertion effort bound fail types murders death penalty may imposed become narrowly defined limited particularly serious death penalty peculiarly appropriate georgia reason requirement becomes reasonable expect juries even given discretion impose death penalty impose death penalty substantial portion cases defined longer said penalty imposed wantonly freakishly infrequently loses usefulness sentencing device therefore reason expect georgia current system escape infirmities invalidated previous system furman however georgia legislature satisfied system might also might turn practice result death sentences imposed reasonable consistency certain serious murders instead gave georgia power obligation perform precisely task three justices whose opinions necessary result performed furman namely task deciding whether fact death penalty administered given class crime discriminatory standardless rare fashion considering given death sentence appeal georgia determine whether sentence imposed consistent relevant statutes whether sufficient evidence support finding aggravating circumstance code ann supp however must much determine whether penalty lawfully imposed must go decide reviewing penalties imposed similar cases whether penalty excessive disproportionate considering crime defendant supp new assistant assist collecting records capital felony cases state georgia sentence imposed january supp also obligation determining whether penalty imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor supp georgia interpreted appellate review statute require set aside death sentence whenever juries across state impose rarely type crime question require affirm death sentences whenever juries across state generally impose crime question thus case georgia concluded death penalty rarely imposed crime robbery set aside sentences robbery counts effectively foreclosed penalty imposed crime future legislative scheme existence similarly georgia determined juries impose death sentence rarely respect certain classes rape compare coley state coker state however concluded juries generally throughout state imposed death penalty murder witnesses armed robberies jarrell state consequently affirmed sentences case murder counts georgia correct respect factual judgment imposition death penalty similar cases consistent furman indeed georgia properly performs task assigned georgia statutes death sentences imposed discriminatory reasons wantonly freakishly given category crime set aside petitioner wholly failed establish even attempted establish georgia failed properly perform task case incapable performing task adequately cases assume petitioner also argues decisions made prosecutor either negotiating plea lesser offense capital murder simply declining charge capital murder standardless inexorably result wanton freakish imposition penalty condemned judgment furman address point separately cases capital offense charged escape view georgia considered determining whether particular sentence excessive disproportionate petitioner argument prosecutors behave standardless fashion deciding cases try capital felonies unsupported facts petitioner simply asserts since prosecutors power charge capital felonies exercise power standardless fashion untenable absent facts contrary assumed prosecutors motivated charging decision factors strength case likelihood jury impose death penalty convicts unless prosecutors incompetent judgments standards decide whether charge capital felony jury decide questions guilt sentence thus defendants escape death penalty prosecutorial charging decisions offense sufficiently serious proof insufficiently strong cause system standardless jury decision impose life imprisonment defendant whose crime deemed insufficiently serious decision acquit someone probably guilty whose guilt established beyond reasonable doubt thus prosecutor charging decisions unlikely removed sample cases considered georgia truly similar cases really similar relevant respects unlikely prosecutors fail prosecute capital cases unwilling assume contrary petitioner argument unconstitutional amount discretion system separates suspects receive death penalty receive life imprisonment lesser penalty acquitted never charged seems final analysis indictment entire system justice petitioner argued effect matter effective death penalty may punishment government created run must humans inevitably incompetent administer accepted proposition constitutional law imposition death penalty surely awesome responsibility system justice participate mistakes made discriminations occur difficult explain however one society basic tasks protecting lives citizens one basic ways achieves task criminal laws murder decline interfere manner georgia chosen enforce laws simply assertion lack faith ability system justice operate fundamentally fair manner iv reasons stated dissent roberts louisiana post neither agree petitioner basic argument death penalty however imposed whatever crime cruel unusual punishment therefore concur judgment affirmance statement chief justice justice rehnquist concur judgment join opinion justice white agreeing analysis georgia system capital punishment comports holding furman georgia section provides follows murder person commits murder unlawfully malice aforethought either express implied causes death another human express malice deliberate intention unlawfully take away life fellow creature manifested external circumstances capable proof malice shall implied considerable provocation appears circumstances killing show abandoned malignant heart person also commits crime murder commission felony causes death another human irrespective malice person convicted murder shall punished death imprisonment life section supp provides capital offenses jury verdict sentence upon trial jury person convicted offense may punishable death sentence death shall imposed unless jury verdict includes finding least one statutory aggravating circumstance recommendation sentence imposed statutory aggravating circumstance found recommendation death made shall sentence defendant death sentence death recommended jury shall sentence defendant imprisonment provided law unless jury trying case makes finding least one statutory aggravating circumstance recommends death sentence verdict shall sentence defendant death provided finding statutory aggravating circumstance shall necessary offenses treason aircraft hijacking provisions section shall affect sentence case tried without jury judge accepts plea guilty conclusion felony cases heard jury argument counsel proper charge jury shall retire consider verdict guilty guilty without consideration punishment felony cases judge shall likewise first consider finding guilty guilty without consideration punishment jury judge returns verdict finding guilty shall resume trial conduct hearing jury judge time issue shall determination punishment imposed hearing subject laws evidence jury judge shall hear additional evidence extenuation mitigation aggravation punishment including record prior criminal convictions pleas guilty pleas nolo contendere defendant absence prior criminal convictions pleas provided however evidence aggravation state made known defendant prior trial shall admissible jury judge shall also hear argument defendant counsel prosecuting attorney provided law regarding punishment imposed prosecuting attorney shall open defendant shall conclude argument jury judge upon conclusion evidence arguments judge shall give jury appropriate instructions jury shall retire determine punishment imposed cases death penalty may imposed jury judge sitting without jury additional procedure provided code section shall followed jury judge cases tried judge shall fix sentence within limits prescribed law judge shall impose sentence fixed jury judge provided law jury within reasonable time agree punishment judge shall impose sentence within limits law provided however judge shall instance impose death penalty cases tried jury jury agree upon punishment trial reversed appeal error hearing new trial may ordered shall apply issue punishment section provides shall authorized employ appropriate staff methods compile data deemed chief justice appropriate relevant statutory questions concerning validity sentence said charge law provides connection offense murder following person commits murder unlawfully malice aforethought either express implied causes death another human express malice deliberate intention unlawfully take away life fellow creature manifested external circumstances capable proof malice shall implied considerable provocation appears circumstances killing show abandoned malignant heart section code section law provides person also commits crime murder commission felony causes death another human irrespective malice charge find believe beyond reasonable doubt defendant commit homicide two counts alleged indictment time engaged commission felony authorized find guilty murder connection charge order homicide done perpetration felony must connection felony homicide homicide must done pursuance unlawful act collateral enough homicide occurred soon presently felony attempted committed must legal relationship homicide felony find homicide occurred reason part felony occurred felony end felony legal relationship homicide concurrent part least part actual material sense homicide committed perpetration felony committed accused engaged performance act required full execution felony charge find believe beyond reasonable doubt homicide alleged indictment caused defendant said accused commission felony given charge authorized convict defendant murder authorized whether defendant intended kill deceased homicide although unintended committed accused time engaged commission felony constitutes murder order killing done perpetration attempted perpetration felony particular felony must connection previously charged felony homicide authorized find defendant guilty offense murder must find believe beyond reasonable doubt defendant malice aforethought either express implied cause deaths simmons moore must find believe beyond reasonable doubt defendant commission felony caused death two victims named charge find believe time prior date indictment returned defendant county gwinnett state georgia malice aforethought kill murder two men named way manner set forth indictment defendant caused deaths two men way manner set forth indictment said accused commission felony either event authorized find defendant guilty murder subsequently decided case georgia following say similar cases referred case compared evidence sentence case similar cases conclude sentence death excessive disproportionate penalty imposed cases similar cases considered reviewing case lingo state johnson state pass state watson state scott state kramer state gregg state comparison cases cited records show accused found guilty murder victim robbery burglary committed course robbery burglary cases jury imposed sentence death pass state supra murder took place victim home occurred case consideration find sentence death case excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases considering crime defendant code ann notwithstanding fact cases robbery victims murdered juries imposed life sentences see appendix cited cases show juries faced similar factual situations imposed death sentences compare coley state supra thus sentence wantonly freakishly imposed see moore state cases reviewed included murder cases coming since january kidnapping cases likewise reviewed comparison involved search similarities addition similarity offense charged sentence imposed murder cases selected comparison involved murders wherein witnesses killed attempt made kill witnesses kidnapping cases victim killed seriously injured cases indicate except special circumstance juvenile accomplice driver vehicle murder committed trial held time death penalty statute effective juries generally throughout state imposed death penalty death penalty also imposed kidnap victim mistreated seriously injured case victim murdered cold blooded callous nature offenses case types condemned death cases defendant death sentences murder kidnapping excessive disproportionate penalty imposed similar cases using standards prescribed review statute conclude sentences death imposed case murder kidnapping imposed influence passion prejudice arbitrary factor jarrell state see furman georgia douglas concurring see stewart concurring see white concurring petitioner also argues differences murder death penalty may imposed manslaughter may imposed difficult define jury ability disobey trial judge instructions unfettered juries use phase trial arbitrarily convict capital offense convicting similarly situated individuals noncapital offenses believe argument enormously overstated however since jury discretion impose death penalty sentencing phase case georgia problem offense definition jury nullification loses virtually significance case factor relevant case murder committed offender engaged commission another capital felony state brief refers type murder murder apparently state georgia wishes supply substantial incentive engaged robbery leave guns home persuade hope fewer victims robberies killed petitioner several times without citation cases considered georgia appeal taken either sentence death life imprisonment view finds support language relevant statutes moore state justice blackmun concurring judgment concur judgment see furman georgia blackmun dissenting burger dissenting powell dissenting rehnquist dissenting justice brennan dissenting cruel unusual punishments clause must draw meaning evolving standards decency mark progress maturing society opinions justice stewart justice powell justice stevens today hold evolving standards decency require focus essence death penalty primarily upon procedures employed state single persons suffer penalty death opinions hold viewed clause invalidates mandatory infliction death penalty infliction sentencing procedures justice stewart justice powell justice stevens conclude adequately safeguard risk death penalty imposed arbitrary capricious manner furman georgia concurring opinion read evolving standards decency requiring focus upon essence death penalty primarily solely upon procedures determination inflict penalty upon particular person made said beginning nation punishment death stirred acute public controversy although pragmatic arguments punishment frequently advanced longstanding heated controversy explained solely result differences practical wisdom particular government policy bottom battle waged moral grounds country debated whether society dignity individual value without fundamental inconsistency follow practice deliberately putting members death nations western world struggle punishment one ancient deeply rooted beliefs retribution atonement vengeance one hand beliefs personal value dignity common man born democratic movement eighteenth century well beliefs scientific approach understanding motive forces human conduct result growth sciences behavior nineteenth twentieth centuries essentially moral conflict forms backdrop past changes present operation system imposing death punishment crime inescapably duty ultimate arbiter meaning constitution say whether individuals condemned death stand bar moral concepts require us hold law progressed point declare punishment death like punishments rack screw wheel longer morally tolerable civilized society opinion furman georgia concluded civilization law progressed point therefore punishment death whatever crime circumstances cruel unusual violation eighth fourteenth amendments constitution shall canvass reasons led conclusion emphasize foremost among moral concepts recognized cases inherent clause primary moral principle state even punishes must treat citizens manner consistent intrinsic worth human beings punishment must severe degrading human dignity judicial determination whether punishment death comports human dignity therefore permitted compelled clause understand disagrees comparison punishments today deliberate extinguishment human life state uniquely degrading human dignity three brethren hold today mandatory infliction death penalty constitutes penalty cruel unusual punishment perceive principled basis limitation death whatever crime circumstances truly awesome punishment calculated killing human state involves nature denial executed person humanity executed person indeed lost right rights death unusually severe punishment unusual pain finality enormity serves penal purpose effectively less severe punishment therefore principle inherent clause prohibits pointless infliction excessive punishment less severe punishment adequately achieve purposes invalidates punishment fatal constitutional infirmity punishment death treats members human race nonhumans objects toyed discarded thus inconsistent fundamental premise clause even vilest criminal remains human possessed common human dignity penalty subjects individual fate forbidden principle civilized treatment guaranteed clause therefore hold ground alone death today cruel unusual punishment prohibited clause justice kind obviously less shocking crime new official murder far offering redress offense committed society adds instead second defilement first dissent judgments gregg georgia proffitt florida jurek texas insofar upholds death sentences challenged cases set aside death sentences imposed cases violative eighth fourteenth amendments opinion applies also proffitt florida post jurek texas post trop dulles plurality opinion warren quoting sellin death penalty report model penal code project american law institute novak beto tuttle concurring part dissenting part tao beyond furman georgia need morally based decision capital punishment notre dame law trop dulles plurality opinion warren camus reflections guillotine pub justice marshall dissenting furman georgia concurring opinion set forth length views basic issue presented cases death penalty concluded cruel unusual punishment prohibited eighth fourteenth amendments continues view intention retracing long tedious journey led conclusion furman sole purposes consider suggestion conclusion furman undercut developments since briefly evaluate basis brethren holding extinction life permissible form punishment cruel unusual punishments clause furman concluded death penalty constitutionally invalid two reasons first death penalty excessive second american people fully informed purposes death penalty liabilities view reject morally unacceptable since decision furman legislatures enacted new statutes authorizing imposition death sentence certain crimes congress enacted law providing death penalty air piracy resulting death supp iv less candid acknowledge developments significant bearing realistic assessment moral acceptability death penalty american people constitutionality death penalty turns urged opinion informed citizenry even enactment new death statutes viewed conclusive furman observed american people largely unaware information critical judgment morality death penalty concluded better informed consider shocking unjust unacceptable recent study conducted enactment statutes confirmed american people know little death penalty opinions informed public differ significantly public unaware consequences effects death penalty even assuming however enactment statutes authorizing death penalty renders prediction views informed citizenry uncertain basis constitutional decision enactment statutes bearing whatsoever conclusion death penalty unconstitutional excessive excessive penalty invalid cruel unusual punishments clause even though popular sentiment may favor ante opinion stewart powell stevens jj roberts louisiana post white dissenting inquiry simply whether death penalty necessary accomplish legitimate legislative purposes punishment whether less severe penalty life imprisonment well furman supra marshall concurring two purposes sustain death penalty nonexcessive view general deterrence retribution furman canvassed relevant data deterrent effect capital punishment state knowledge point literally centuries debate summarized follows nations committee generally agreed retentionists abolitionists whatever opinions validity comparative studies deterrence data exist show correlation existence capital punishment lower rates capital crime solicitor general amicus brief cases relies heavily study isaac ehrlich reported year furman support contention death penalty deter murder since ehrlich study available time furman since first scientific study suggest death penalty may deterrent effect briefly consider import ehrlich study focused relationship nation whole homicide rate execution risk fraction persons convicted murder actually executed comparing differences homicide rate execution risk years ehrlich found increases execution risk associated increases homicide rate employed statistical technique multiple regression analysis control influence variables posited impact homicide rate ehrlich found negative correlation changes homicide rate changes execution risk tentative conclusion period additional execution might saved eight lives methods conclusions ehrlich study severely criticized number grounds suggested example study defective compares execution homicide rates nationwide rather basis aggregation data including abolished death penalty obscures relationship murder execution rates ehrlich methodology decrease execution risk one state combined increase murder rate another state things equal suggest deterrent effect quite obviously exist indeed deterrent effect suggested things equal one state abolished death penalty experienced change murder rate another state experienced increase murder rate compelling criticism ehrlich study conclusions extremely sensitive choice time period included regression analysis analysis ehrlich data reveals empirical support deterrent effect capital punishment disappears five recent years removed time series say whether decrease execution risk corresponds increase decrease murder rate depends ending point sample period finding cast severe doubts reliability ehrlich tentative conclusions indeed recent regression study based ehrlich theoretical model using state data years found support conclusion executions act deterrent ehrlich study short little assistance assessing deterrent impact death penalty accord commonwealth mass evidence reviewed furman remains convincing view capital punishment necessary deterrent crime society justification death penalty must found elsewhere principal purpose said served death penalty retribution notion retribution serve moral justification sanction death finds credence opinion brothers stewart powell stevens brother white roberts louisiana post see also furman georgia burger dissenting notion find disturbing aspect today unfortunate decisions concept retribution multifaceted one discussion role criminal law must undertaken caution one level said notion retribution reprobation basis insistence broken law punished sense notion quite obviously central system criminal sanctions recognition retribution plays crucial role determining may punished means requires approval retribution general justification punishment question whether retribution provide moral justification punishment particular capital punishment must consider brothers stewart powell stevens offer following explanation retributive justification capital punishment instinct retribution part nature man channeling instinct administration criminal justice serves important purpose promoting stability society governed law people begin believe organized society unwilling unable impose upon criminal offenders punishment deserve sown seeds anarchy vigilante justice lynch law ante quoting furman georgia supra stewart concurring related vein may suggested expression moral outrage imposition death penalty serves reinforce basic moral values marks crimes particularly offensive therefore avoided argument akin deterrence argument differs contemplates individual shrinking antisocial conduct fears punishment told strongest possible way conduct wrong contention like previous one provides support death penalty inconceivable individual concerned conforming conduct society says right fail realize murder wrong penalty simply life imprisonment foregoing contentions society expression moral outrage imposition death penalty citizenry taking law hands reinforces moral values retributive purest sense essentially utilitarian portray death penalty valuable beneficial results justifications death penalty inadequate penalty quite clearly think necessary accomplishment results remains consideration however might termed purely retributive justification death penalty death penalty appropriate beneficial effect society taking murderer life morally good language opinion brothers stewart powell stevens appears positively embrace notion retribution sake justification capital punishment state decision capital punishment may appropriate sanction extreme cases expression community belief certain crimes grievous affront humanity adequate response may penalty death ante omitted truth crimes outrageous society insists adequate punishment deserves irrespective whether deterrent ante death penalty unnecessary promote goal deterrence legitimate notion retribution excessive penalty forbidden eighth fourteenth amendments respectfully dissent judgment upholding sentences death imposed upon petitioners cases opinion applies also proffitt florida post jurek texas post sarat vidmar public opinion death penalty eighth amendment testing marshall hypothesis rev see sellin death penalty report model penal code project american law institute nations department economic social affairs capital punishment pt ii ehrlich deterrent effect capital punishment question life death working paper national bureau economic research ehrlich deterrent effect capital punishment question life death econ rev june variables execution risk included probability arrest probability conviction given arrest national aggregate measures percentage population age unemployment rate labor force participation rate estimated per capita income see passell taylor deterrent effect capital punishment another view unpublished columbia university discussion paper mar reproduced brief petitioner app jurek texas passell deterrent effect death penalty statistical test stan rev baldus cole comparison work thorsten sellin isaac ehrlich deterrent effect capital punishment yale bowers pierce illusion deterrence isaac ehrlich research capital punishment yale peck deterrent effect capital punishment ehrlich critics yale see also ehrlich deterrence evidence inference yale ehrlich rejoinder yale addition items discussed text criticism directed quality ehrlich data choice explanatory variables failure account interdependence variables assumptions mathematical form relationship homicide rate explanatory variables see baldus cole supra bowers pierce supra see also passell taylor supra see bowers pierce supra baldus cole supra peck supra passell supra see also bailey murder capital punishment evidence orthopsychiatry bowers executions america furman considered several additional purposes arguably served death penalty additional purpose mentioned opinions cases specific deterrence preventing murderer committing another crime surely life imprisonment necessary solitary confinement fully accomplish purpose accord commonwealth mass people anderson cal cert denied see hart punishment responsibility packer limits criminal sanction see commonwealth supra bowers supra sellin supra see hart supra packer supra justice white view retribution justification death penalty altogether clear widespread reenactment death penalty one point answers claims life imprisonment adequate punishment satisfy need reprobation retribution roberts louisiana post white dissenting justice white later denigrate legislative judgments form vestigial savagery purely retributive motivation solemn judgments reasonably based imposition death penalty save lives innocent persons post see commonwealth supra people anderson cal