ayers acting warden belmontes argued october decided november penalty phase respondent capital murder trial introduced mitigating evidence show inter alia lead constructive life incarcerated rather executed testifying done previous incarceration embraced christianity two prison chaplains christian sponsors time testified behalf parties closing arguments discussed mitigating evidence jury consider trial judge told jury consider ny circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime instruction known factor california statutory scheme respondent sentenced death contended direct review federal habeas proceedings factor trial instructions barred jury considering mitigation evidence violation eighth amendment right present mitigating evidence capital sentencing proceedings federal district denied relief ninth circuit reversed reconsideration light brown payton ninth circuit invalidated respondent sentence held factor instruction consistent constitutional right present mitigating evidence capital sentencing proceedings pp previously found factor preclude consideration constitutionally relevant evidence mitigating evidence defendant precrime background character boyde california postcrime rehabilitation brown payton supra found proper inquiry whether reasonable likelihood jury applied challenged instruction way prevents consideration constitutionally relevant evidence boyde supra pp inquiry applies like payton case involves evidence comes federal habeas proceedings unlike payton filed effective date antiterrorism effective death penalty act aedpa ninth circuit distinguished payton ground erred finding reasonable probability jury consider evidence respondent future potential pp circuit adopted narrow unrealistic interpretation factor ruling instruction allows jury consider evidence bears upon commission crime defendant excuses mitigates culpability offense boyde payton explain jury directed consider circumstance might excuse crime boyde supra precrime background character boyde postcrime rehabilitation payton may extenuat gravity crime may likelihood future good conduct count circumstance tending make defendant less deserving death penalty ninth circuit failed heed full import payton holding significant even aedpa inapplicable moreover since respondent sought extrapolate future behavior precrime conduct mitigation theory analogous evidence boyde found fall within factor purview pp interpretation factor one consistent evidence presented jury parties closing arguments trial instructions improbable jury believed parties engaged exercise futility respondent presented extensive evidence open prosecution defense arguments assumed evidence relevant prosecutor remarks evidence weak opinion weight given confirmed jury analyze respondent future potential respondent personal pleas consistent trial jury assess future prospects determining sentence impose analysis confirmed defense counsel closing arguments trial instructions make quite implausible jury deem foreclosed considering respondent full case mitigation judge told jury consider evidence included respondent mitigation case sharp contrast aggravation instruction enumerated factors considered mitigation one listed factors merely examples also made clear jury take broad view mitigating evidence concluding otherwise ninth circuit cited juror queries evidence confusion assuming interpretation correct conclusion juror likely ignored evidence presupposes purports establish namely evidence fall within factor pp reversed remanded kennedy delivered opinion roberts scalia thomas alito joined scalia filed concurring opinion thomas joined stevens filed dissenting opinion souter ginsburg breyer joined robert ayers acting warden tioner fernando belmontes writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit november justice kennedy delivered opinion fernando belmontes respondent tried superior state california county san joaquin jury returned verdict murder first degree determined sentenced death issue us concerns jury instruction sentencing phase trial following statute effect directed jury instructions context discussed detail consider certain specific factors either aggravating mitigating trial instructed jury consider ny circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime app statutory scheme general catchall factor codified cal penal code ann west referred factor belmontes contended direct review state collateral proceedings federal habeas proceedings giving rise case factor trial instructions barred jury considering mitigation evidence specifically evidence likely lead constructive life incarcerated instead executed alleged limitation view prevented jury considering relevant mitigation evidence violation eighth amendment right present mitigating evidence capital sentencing proceedings see penry johnson skipper south carolina eddings oklahoma california affirming judgment sentence rejected contention challenges people belmontes cal february exhausting state remedies respondent filed amended federal habeas petition district eastern district california denied relief app pet cert divided panel appeals ninth circuit reversed relevant part belmontes woodford dissent eight judges appeals denied rehearing en banc belmontes woodford granted certiorari vacated judgment remanded consideration light brown payton brown belmontes remand divided panel invalidated respondent sentence distinguished payton grounds antiterrorism effective death penalty act aedpa stat though applicable case apply belmontes brown yet another dissent appeals denied rehearing en banc belmontes stokes granted certiorari reverse evidence trial showed march burglarizing home two accomplices attended party respondent unexpectedly encountered steacy mcconnell respondent killed striking head times steel dumbbell bar respondent armed dumbbell bar entering victim home see belmontes cal sentencing phase trial belmontes introduced mitigating evidence show inter alia make positive contributions society structured prison environment respondent testified previous term california youth authority cya behaved constructive way working way number two position fire crew cya fire camp incarcerated app time embraced christianity entered christian sponsorship program admitted initially participated program spend time away camp later forming good relationship married couple christian sponsors pursued religious life baptized although religious commitment lapsed upon release cya testified turn religion whenever rededicate fully finally answered affirmative asked prepared contribute anyway society put prison rest life respondent former cya chaplain testified sentencing hearing respondent conversion appeared genuine chaplain describing respondent salvageable expressed hope respondent contribute prison ministries given life sentence assistant chaplain similarly testified based past experience respondent likely adept counseling prisoners avoid mistakes made leave prison respondent christian sponsors testified like son positive influence son also indicated participated various activities church respondent presented mitigating evidence parties made closing arguments discussing respondent mitigating evidence jury consider respondent also allowed provide statement trial judge included instructions disputed factor language instruction since amended see cal jury ii two earlier cases considered constitutional challenge factor instruction see brown payton supra boyde california boyde rejected claim factor focus circumstances ing gravity crime precluded consideration mitigating evidence unrelated crime evidence defendant background character proper inquiry explained whether reasonable likelihood jury applied challenged instruction way prevents consideration constitutionally relevant evidence since defendant boyde opportunity factor argue background character seriousness crime saw reason believe reasonable jurors resist view held society appropriate case evidence counsel imposition sentence less death citing penry lynaugh sentencing phase boyde moreover defense presented extensive evidence regarding background character construing factor preclude consideration evidence required jurors believe instructions transformed testimony virtual charade also disregard another instruction requiring jury evidence received part trial case payton evaluated arguments factor barred consideration constitutionally relevant evidence time evidence relating postcrime rehabilitation rather precrime background character see payton come boyde direct review rather federal habeas petition subject aedpa relief available state adjudication claim decision contrary involved unreasonable application clearly established federal law determined payton supra quoting although prosecutor payton argued jury incorrectly factor permit consideration postcrime rehabilitation evidence concluded california reasonably applied boyde finding eighth amendment violation accepting prosecutor reading required surprising conclusion remorse never serve lessen excuse crime furthermore countering misimpression created prosecution argument defense payton presented extensive evidence argument regarding postcrime religious conversion good behavior trial instructed jury consider evidence admitted part trial case except may hereafter instructed prosecution devoted substantial attention discounting postcrime evidence importance compared aggravating factors hence state payton reasonably concluded boyde reasonable likelihood jury understood instruction preclude consideration postcrime mitigation evidence heard iii directed boyde inquire whether reasonable likelihood jury applied challenged instruction way prevents consideration constitutionally relevant evidence appeals distinguished payton ground see mistaken however find reasonable probability jury consider respondent future potential appeals erred adopting narrow conclude unrealistic interpretation factor naturally read appeals reasoned instruction allows jury consider evidence bears upon commission crime defendant excuses mitigates culpability offense boyde payton explain however interpretation confined instruction limit jury consideration circumstance crime extenuates gravity crime jury directed consider circumstance might excuse crime boyde supra see also payton supra precrime background character boyde postcrime rehabilitation payton may extenuat gravity crime may likelihood future good conduct count circumstance tending make defendant less deserving death penalty cf skipper plurality opinion appeals failed heed full import payton holding holding significance even aedpa inapplicable payton indicated reading factor preclude consideration postcrime evidence require surprising conclusion remorse never serve lessen excuse crime counterintuitive defendant capacity redeem good works extenuate offense render less deserving death sentence event since respondent sought extrapolate future behavior precrime conduct mitigation theory analogous evidence examined boyde held fall within factor purview see noting inquiry independent assessment personal culpability interpretation factor one consistent evidence presented jury parties closing arguments instructions provided trial discussed turn appeals recognized evidence central mitigation case presented defense see indeed although defense also adduced evidence troubled upbringing respondent testified use difficult life crutch say situation right app given assertion considering extensive evidence presented sentencing evidence including testimony two prison chaplains respondent church sponsors respondent jurors disregarded respondent future potential drew unlikely inference instructions transformed testimony virtual charade boyde supra quoting brown improbable jurors believed parties engaging exercise futility respondent presented counsel later discussed mitigating evidence open arguments prosecution defense assumed evidence relevant prosecutor initially discussed various factors guide jury referred factor catchall app discussed respondent religious experience detail respect whether experience fit within factor indicated sure really fits sure really fits think appears proper subject consideration seemingly contradictory statements explained prosecutor following comments prosecutor suggested quite understandably record respondent religious evidence weak stated know first secret evidence upon defendant religious experience rests somewhat shaky ibid also opined experience taken grain salt jury realized prosecutor suggested respondent religious experience fit within factor discussing persuasiveness evidence jury ability consider thought religion proper subject consideration prosecutor discussed jury weigh respondent religious awakening suppose say appropriate fashion defendant may value community later recall people talking opportunity work prisoners prison think value community something weigh something hand fact someone religion opposed someone grounds either giving withholding life mean let turn around look side coin suppose someone said belong church talk minister man deserve die merely says religion deserve penalty life think influencing factor respect think law contemplates think right remarks confirmed jury analyze respondent future potential future value community ibid respondent wanted prosecutor commented law contemplate jury consideration respondent religious conversion respondent argue jury consider mere fact discovered religion rather manifested arguments appeal respondent wanted use religious evidence demonstrate future value community illustrate past religious awakening nothing prosecutor said convinced jury forbidden even considering respondent religious conversion though surely jury discount nothing prosecutor said led jury think consider respondent future potential especially since indicated exactly jury weigh deliberation ibid prosecutor concluded arguments trial judge allowed respondent speak behalf respondent showing remorse suggested life imprisonment offered opportunity achieve goals try better also stated really like life try improve respondent personal pleas consistent trial jury assess future prospects determining sentence impose defense counsel closing arguments confirm analysis sure commenting mitigating evidence initially indicated going insult telling think mitigating evidence excuses way happened reason asked people come read context defense counsel remarks imply jury ignore mitigating evidence rather conforming dichotomy within factor remarks merely distinguished legal excuse extenuating circumstance cf cal penal code ann ny circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime defense counsel fact want jury take account respondent future potential became manifest near end argument suggested people came told respondent provided jury game plan respondent life app continued suggesting tip iceberg knows years sorts things fits system learns set goals contribute something whatever way ibid left jury believing contemplate respondent potential instructions trial make quite implausible jury deem foreclosed considering respondent full case mitigation enumerating specific factors consideration factors including circumstances crime defendant age presence absence prior felony conviction well factor catchall judge told jury determining penalty imposed defendant shall consider evidence received part trial case except may hereafter instructed listing factors indicated heard evidence heard considered arguments counsel shall consider take account guided applicable factors aggravating mitigating circumstances upon instructed conclude aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances shall impose sentence death however determine mitigating circumstances outweigh aggravating circumstances shall impose sentence confinement state prison life without possibility parole judge gave supplemental instruction regarding aggravating mitigating factors previously read list aggravating circumstances law permits consider find established evidence aggravating circumstances may consider allowed take account facts circumstances basis deciding death penalty appropriate punishment case however mitigating circumstances read consideration given merely examples factors may take account reasons deciding impose death penalty death sentence upon belmontes pay careful attention factors one standing alone may support decision death appropriate punishment case given evidence arguments presented jury instructions eliminate reasonable likelihood juror consider respondent future prospects beyond bounds proper consideration judge told jury consider evidence evidence included respondent mitigation case judge end broad command appraise evidence qualifier except may hereafter instructed later instruct jury disregard respondent future potential prison jury fairly read limitation instruction apply respondent central mitigation theory contrast response juror question trial judge specifically instructed jury consider whether respondent receive psychiatric treatment prison sharp contrast instruction aggravation enumerated factors considered instruction mitigation listed factors merely examples made clear jury take broad view mitigating evidence coming back back instructions conveyed message jury weigh finite aggravators potentially infinite mitigators trial judge told jury pay careful attention listed mitigating factors moreover compel jury give sole consideration case jury fail take judge word judge advise jury pay exclusive attention listed mitigating circumstances told jury circumstances simply examples implausible jury supposed past deeds pointing constructive future extenuat gravity crime required factor much less evidence considered boyde concludes jury deliberations commonsense understanding instructions light taken place trial likely prevail technical hairsplitting far encouraging jury ignore defense central evidence instructions supported giving due weight concluding otherwise appeals cited queries jurors evidence confusion although jury initial question record appeared ask judge consequences failing reach unanimous verdict cf response judge reread portions instructions stated jurors must agree app judge sent jury back deliberation following exchange took place juror hern statement aggravation mitigation circumstances listing listing yes juror hern certain factors decide one balance sheet right balancing process meyer juror meyer specific question situation one juror meyer situation exactly make decision discharge juror hailstone ask question know permissible possible psychiatric treatment time something consider making decision appeals decided juror hern questions indicated thought incorrectly listed mitigating factors table error appeals view prompted clarifying instruction confirming mitigating evidence relevant appeals supposed response juror hailstone question compounded problem since psychiatric treatment presumably necessary aid future rehabilitation appeals analysis flawed begin attributing juror hern dilemma scope mitigation one way interpret questions california observed direct review necessarily correct one see belmontes cal least likely juror simply asking clarification california overall balancing process requires juries consider balance enumerated factors age criminal history labeled neither mitigating aggravating juror hern surmised sought clarify jury must determine side balance listed factor falls see cal penal code ann providing determining penalty trier fact shall take account relevant listed factors see generally tuilaepa california noting sentencing factors instruct sentencer weigh facts finds deciding upon ultimate sentence even assuming appeals correctly interpreted juror hern questions conclusion juror likely ignored evidence presupposes purports establish namely evidence fall within factor discussed earlier nothing barred jury viewing respondent future prospects extenuat ing gravity crime nothing barred considering evidence rubric listing juror hailstone question inquiry shows anything jurors considering respondent potential trial response far implying broad prohibition inferences readily explicable absence evidence record regarding psychiatric care view analysis disposition case unnecessary address argument reversing appeals based holding johnson texas subject raised judge separate opinion appeals see opinion concurring part dissenting part iv case boyde payton jury heard mitigating evidence trial directed jury consider evidence presented parties addressed mitigating evidence closing arguments cases establish general rule jury circumstances reasonably likely believe barred considering defense evidence factor extenuat ing gravity crime factor instruction consistent constitutional right present mitigating evidence capital sentencing proceedings judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered robert ayers acting warden tioner fernando belmontes writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit november justice scalia justice thomas joins concurring adhere view limiting jury discretion consider mitigating evidence violate eighth amendment see walton arizona scalia concurring part concurring judgment even accepting jurisprudence contrary however arguably easy case given reiteration johnson texas jury need able consider manner defendant relevant mitigating evidence need able give effect mitigating evidence every conceivable manner evidence might relevant since petitioner relied johnson judge see belmontes brown opinion concurring part dissenting part content join full opinion correctly applies boyde california robert ayers acting warden tioner fernando belmontes writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit november justice stevens justice souter justice ginsburg justice breyer join dissenting lockett ohio set aside ohio death penalty statute unconstitutional unduly restricted mitigating evidence jury consider deciding whether impose death penalty opinion announcing judgment chief justice burger wrote perfect procedure deciding cases governmental authority used impose death statute prevents sentencer capital cases giving independent mitigating weight aspects defendant character record circumstances offense proffered mitigation creates risk death penalty imposed spite factors may call less severe penalty choice life death risk unacceptable incompatible commands eighth fourteenth amendments plurality opinion respondent fernando belmontes sentenced death scant four years lockett see people belmontes cal yet time sentencing remained significant residual confusion whether constitution obligated permit juries consider evidence extenuating defendant culpability crime might nevertheless call sentence less death cf people easley cal noting arguments sides california death penalty statute effect quite plainly rested assumption california preclude consideration evidence statute commanded jury shall impose death sentence aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances limited jury inquiry discrete categories evidence see cal penal code west factors relating defendant age prior criminal record every one categories relate severity crime defendant eleventh factor authorized consideration ny circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime factor restrictive language sent unmistakable message california juries properly give mitigating weight evidence extenuate severity crime year respondent sentencing california evinced considerable discomfort factor people easley discussing possible unconstitutionality penalty phase instructions inserted critical effectively amending factor expanding evidence california jury properly consider deciding whether impose death sentence order avoid potential misunderstanding future trial courts instructing factor inform jury may consider mitigating factor circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime defendant character record defendant proffers basis sentence less death cal emphasis added although easley came late help respondent california evident concern capital juries must permitted consider evidence beyond extenuates gravity crime proved prescient skipper south carolina decided two years california affirmed respondent conviction therefore fully applicable see griffith kentucky expressly rejected argument presented justice powell separate opinion retained authority determine mitigating evidence relevant long foreclose consideration factors may tend reduce defendant culpability crime see skipper opinion concurring judgment apart traditional sentencing factors vidence concerning degree defendant participation crime age emotional history justice powell held properly exclude evidence capital sentencing proceeding majority however took expansive view although recognized probative force skipper excluded evidence relate specifically petitioner culpability crime committed question inferences sense might serve basis sentence less death quoting lockett emphasis added skipper law clear capital jury must allowed consider broader category mitigating evidence normally relevant noncapital proceedings respondent sentenced however easley rewrote factor skipper resolved confusion whether constitutional latitude restrict evidence tend reduce defendant culpability crime powell concurring judgment following review record underscore confusion pervaded every aspect respondent sentencing hearing addled trial judge prosecutor defense counsel inevitably jurors sentencing hearing prosecution put case consisted mainly evidence respondent previous conduct see belmontes cal respondent countered testimony grandfather mother testimony focused almost entirely respondent background father drank excess savagely beat wife parents divorced years old mother remarried divorced respondent years old point respondent became difficult control sent california youth authority youth authority release respondent live mother although kept touch telephone close sister see generally app next jury heard testimony robert martinez wife darlene testified close friends respondent admitted seen released youth authority robert testified respondent best man wedding prior wedding two spend lot time together working martinez car drinking beer smoking marijuana focus darlene testimony christian respondent visited darlene husband release youth authority told also christian respondent testified behalf asked childhood respondent answered ca use crutch say situation right went describe relationships father grandfather relate experience youth authority respondent testified youth authority became involved christian program developed relationship sponsors program beverly fred haro upon release however respondent started problems abandoned religious commitment something yet regained fully time sentencing hearing respondent described life prison stated given life sentence attempt make positive contribution society prosecutor questions focused sincerity respondent religious commitment following day respondent presented testimony reverend dale barrett miller ministers worked youth authority location respondent held reverend barrett described youth authority program respondent matched haros testified respondent involvement church program interactions respondent led believe salvageable miller similarly testified respondent participation program belief respondent adept speaking prisoners accepting religion see also testifying respondent efinitely used prison system sort activity finally jury heard testimony respondent sponsors program fred beverly haro haros described meeting respondent experiences see generally also testified close grown respondent respondent embrace religion taken whole sentencing testimony supports three conclusions first excepting questions concerning sincerity respondent religious convictions significant dispute credibility witnesses second little testimony extenuated severity respondent crime third testimony afforded jury principled basis imposing sentence death ii prosecutor began closing argument penalty phase describing th listing aggravating mitigating circumstances instructing jury must weigh one app observed proper place sympathy passion prosecutor emphasized jury consider kind sympathy instruction tells consider sympathy naturally arises properly arises factors aggravation mitigation emphasis added repeated jury duty simpl weig certain factors judge tell may take account went listed factors one one carefully discussing evidence supported factor prosecutor turned factor directly addressed theory defendant religious experience within catchall relates defendant time committed crime extenuates gravity crime prosecutor expressed doubt jury consider evidence stating sure really fits sure really fits think appears proper subject consideration ibid discussing evidence supporting respondent religious experience prosecutor questioned religious awakening basis determining penalty really issue much weigh weigh one side ultimately prosecutor concluded suppose say appropriate fashion defendant may value community later think value community something weigh something ibid immediately thereafter prosecutor told jury hand fact someone religion opposed someone grounds either giving withholding life says religion deserve penalty life think influencing factor respect think law contemplates think right ibid emphasis added conclusion prosecutor described circumstances crime asserted dreadful crime requires dreadful penalty following prosecutor closing argument trial judge allowed respondent address jury directly respondent stated use childhood crutch explain mistakes said christianity used crutch respondent asked keep life explaining understood pay victim death wanted opportunity try improve future respondent attorney john schick addressed jury made effort persuade jurors mitigating evidence somehow extenuated severity crime contrary said going insult telling think mitigating evidence excuses way happened reason asked people come instead argued respondent might able make positive contribution prison environment spoke way respondent improved met beverly fred haro way respondent religion shaped observing religion plays vital function anybody life ibid schick took care emphasize religion excuse murder rather point mitigating evidence let jury know something man admitted respondent make outside recognized respondent needed punished asked jury impose life prison punishment meaning teeth critically schick contended life prison appropriate sentence respondent given chance contribute something whatever way sum counsel agreed none mitigating evidence detract gravity crime defense counsel even insisted insult jury suggest mitigating evidence excuses way happened iii conference jury instructions two counsel trial judge plainly indicated believed factor circumscribed mitigating evidence jury consider judge lifted principal jury instructions verbatim traditional sentencing factors set forth statute app refused defense counsel request give jury separate list potential mitigating factors among requested two specifically instructed jury consider respondent ability perform constructive work prison live confinement without acts violence see brief respondent instructions entirely proper indeed probably mandated holding skipper prosecutor benefit skipper argued judge none proposed mitigating instructions relates circumstances concerning crime ca conceal fact think determinative factor case app agreeing judge refused include mitigating instructions making astonishing statement instructions already seem little factors mitigation rather aggravation ibid particular importance judge modified defense counsel request jury told instructions contain exhaustive list mitigating factors give instruction ante refused include following requested reference nonstatutory factors may also consider circumstances relating case defendant belmontes reasons imposing death sentence brief respondent contra app judge thus expressly declined invite jury weigh potentially infinite mitigators contrary assumption today see ante accurate summary rulings jury weigh nonstatutory circumstances extenuated severity respondent offense iv next morning trial judge gave jurors instructions opened unyielding admonition ou must accept follow rules law state app explained required read instructions aloud even though written copy available deliberations ibid reading set boilerplate instructions judge turned subject determining penalty imposed defendant told jury consider evidence except may hereafter instructed ibid emphasis added stated shall consider take account guided following factors applicable proceeded repeat verbatim factors set forth statute except reference age defendant time crime every one factors related severity crime see supra last factor instruction focused jury attention circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime ibid factor permitted jury consider defendant character record defendant proffers basis sentence less death easley cal citing lockett emphasizing importance listing aggravating mitigating circumstances judge next instructed jury shall consider take account guided applicable factors aggravating mitigating circumstances upon instructed app emphasis added words reaching decision jury consider applicable factors seven factors judge finished reading others points ante judge tell jury mitigating circumstances read consideration given merely examples factors may take account reasons deciding impose death sentence app immediately afterwards instructed jury pay careful attention factors one standing alone may support decision death appropriate punishment case ibid emphasis added since none factors save age defendant encompassed mitigating circumstance unrelated severity crime natural reading instruction mitigating factor lessens severity offense may support sentence death view mitigating circumstance simply irrelevant prosecutor words simple weighing jury tasked performing questions asked least six different jurors almost two full days deliberation gave judge ample opportunity clarify testimony offered behalf respondent credited jury provided permissible basis imposing sentence death far eliminating obvious confusion responses cemented impression jurors lone duty weigh specified limited statutory factors lunch break judge reconvened jury answer question appear record response judge merely reread instructions telling jury must agree shall consider take account guided applicable factors aggravating mitigating circumstances upon instructed app emphasis added factors traditional sentencing factors none permitted consideration mitigating evidence judge response functional equivalent yet another admonition disregard respondent evidence colloquy judge four different jurors hailstone wilson norton huckabay likelihood reaching unanimous jurors asked judge series questions reflecting concern whether proper consider aggravating mitigating circumstances specifically listed instructions juror hern statement aggravation mitigation circumstances listing listing yes juror hern certain factors decide one balance sheet right balancing process meyer juror meyer specific question situation one juror meyer situation exactly make decision discharge juror hailstone ask question know permissible possible psychiatric treatment time something consider making decision app judge responses strongly suggest listing listed statutory factors jury properly consider balanc ing sheet see supra difficult impossible see evidence relating future conduct even arguably extenuate gravity crime factor none listed factors gave jury chance consider whether respondent might redeem prison cf brown payton souter dissenting stretch say seriousness crime affected defendant subsequent experience rather inviting review mitigating factors include consideration defendant possible future behavior prison judge answers emphasized constraints decision jurors arguments counsel actual instructions jury colloquy support conclusion jurors understood task run listed statutory factors weigh determine whether respondent sentenced death little respondent evidence however even arguably extenuate gravity crime judgment reason much likely jury believed law forbade giving evidence weight appeals therefore correctly set aside respondent death sentence see boyde california plurality opinion requiring defendant show reasonable likelihood jury applied challenged instruction way prevents consideration constitutionally relevant evidence vi nothing opinion boyde upsets view respondent death sentence stand dissent four justices boyde adopted new legal standard reviewing jury instructions claimed restrict impermissibly jury consideration relevant evidence approved blatantly atextual interpretation unadorned factor instruction applying new standard dubious reading factor held reasonable likelihood boyde jurors interpreted trial instructions prevent consideration mitigating evidence background character rejected boyde argument factor made impossible jury consider testimony boyde prize dance choreography prison boyde argued evidence relating whether lead useful life behind bars hold suggest factor allowed consideration evidence instead found evidence dance choreography talents presented part overall strategy portray less culpable defendants due disadvantaged background character strengths ibid emphasis added therefore fell within ambit factor thus although boyde opinion state explicitly assumes factor instruction permit jury consider evidence postcrime good prison behavior show defendant pose danger prison community sentenced life imprisonment rather death ibid see also skipper recognizing inferences regarding defendant probable future conduct sentenced life prison relate specifically defendant culpability crime committed payton souter dissenting boyde purport hold factor naturally called consideration postcrime changes fundamental views respondent contends reasonable likelihood judge instructions prevented jury considering precrime mitigation evidence regarding possibility lead constructive life prison setting opinion boyde fail support improbable argument respondent mitigating evidence falls within factor purview reasoning entirely consistent appeals contrary conclusion similarly recent decision payton little bearing payton granted certiorari decide whether ninth circuit decision affirming district grant habeas relief contrary limits federal habeas review imposed concluding relied heavily deferential standard habeas review established antiterrorism effective death penalty act aedpa stat see justice breyer specifically stated joined majority case congress instruction defer reasonable conclusions judges makes critical difference concurring opinion explaining california state judge likely hold payton proceedings violated eighth amendment might well reasonable likelihood payton jury interpreted factor way prevented considering constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence namely evidence postcrime religious conversion ibid citation alteration internal quotation marks omitted fact payton case deference aedpa rather proper understanding scope factor cause enough conclude mandate specific outcome indeed given respondent trial occurred year involved jury instructions payton compare ou shall consider evidence received part trial case except may hereafter souter dissenting app aedpa apply respondent case persuasive reasons concluding justice souter powerful reasoning payton rather majority deferential review california opinion guide decision dissenting opinion justice souter pointed payton trial occurred california directed trial judges supplement factor instruction legislature amended see without changes correctly concluded claim factor called consideration defendant personal development wake crime simply odds common attitudes english language moreover payton deal record discloses actual confusion among jurors record see supra involve defense attorney bolstering prosecutor claim factor allow jury consider respondent religious conversion refused insult jury telling think mitigating evidence excuses way happened app therefore even ignoring significantly different procedural posture payton like boyde falls far short compelling result reaches today vii instead accepting lay jurors almost certainly give words circumstance extenuates gravity crime ordinary meaning insists disregarded instructions considered evidence nothing whatsoever crime conclusion seems rest assumption jury uncanny ability predict future opinions interpret factor mean something neither judge lawyers thought meant surely natural inference jury followed instructions see greer miller plurality opinion describing presumption juries follow instructions highly technical parsing factor depends linguistic distinctions occur trained lawyers see ante calling attention dichotomy within factor legal excuse extenuating circumstance even lawyers confused prosecutor payton believed factor oes permit consideration postcrime rehabilitation evidence ante majority blithely characterizes view incorrec natural reading factor one jurors likely accept similarly counsel state california expressed confusion oral argument whether constitutional trial judge instruct jury consider mitigating evidence unless extenuated gravity crime see tr oral arg retreating statement appear constitutional seriously insist group laypersons command constitutional law anticipating skipper took account evidence outside ambit jury instructions also apparently believes prosecutor case suggested factor meant exactly said supra jury taken merely comment respondent credibility ante rests clear misreading record although prosecutor argue respondent lacked sincere religious convictions also suggested quite powerfully law permit jury consider convictions however sincerely held see app think law contemplates think right emphasis added support surprising inherently contradictory view prosecutor commented law contemplate jury consideration respondent religious conversion ante othing prosecutor said convinced jury forbidden even considering respondent religious conversion ibid emphasis added admittedly points distinction limiting jury consideration circumstances crime extenuate severity limiting consideration circumstance might excuse crime see ante highly unlikely however jurors note subtle distinction even unlikely consider significant interpretations phrase focus jury attention crime neither includes evidence issue skipper lmost definition neither excuses defendant crime reduces responsibility commission powell concurring judgment read however generously factor limitation remains unconstitutional makes similarly unpersuasive argument based dubious premise juror understand remorse species postcrime evidence serves lessen excuse crime even true follow jurors somehow divine respondent evidence capacity redeem extenuate offense render less deserving death sentence ante viii unless jurors imposed death sentence somehow guessed breadth rule first announced lockett sentence product unconstitutional proceeding ironically chief justice burger wrote plurality opinion lockett justice powell joined understood lockett rule extend evidence lessens defendant culpability crime skipper powell joined burger rehnquist concurring judgment given authors lockett disagreed scope sanguine lay members jury somehow knew notwithstanding clear jury instructions testimony presented sentencing phase respondent trial part simple weighing jury supposed undertake trial judge told jurors consider evidence except may hereinafter instructed app directed limit consideration traditional sentencing factors set forth statute prosecutor told jurors think law contemplates respondent religion lessened seriousness respondent offense reinforced impression jury confine deliberations listing defense counsel agreed prosecutor saying going insult telling think mitigating evidence excuses way happened surely least jurors doubted propriety speculating respondent future conduct prison basis imposing sentence less death today heaps speculation speculation reach strange conclusion step case law properly instructed jury disregarded instructions considered evidence fell outside narrow confines factor holding contrary insists reduce two days sentencing testimony virtual charade ante internal quotation marks omitted concluding necessarily finds judge instructions charade jury paid heed simply believe jurors took upon consider testimony told forbidden considering view must least confused whether evidence appropriately considered confusion created risk error sufficient warrant relief man spent half life death row cf lackey texas stevens respecting denial certiorari incremental value california carrying death sentence late date far outweighed interest maintaining confidence fairness proceeding results state decision take life one citizens see gardner florida plurality opinion accordingly respectfully dissent footnotes categories circumstances crime defendant convicted present proceeding existence special circumstances found true presence absence criminal activity defendant involved use attempted use force violence express implied threat use force violence presence absence prior felony conviction whether offense committed defendant influence extreme mental emotional disturbance whether victim participant defendant homicidal conduct consented homicidal act whether offense committed circumstances defendant reasonably believed moral justification extenuation conduct whether defendant acted extreme duress substantial domination another person whether time offense capacity defendant appreciate criminality conduct conform conduct requirements law impaired result mental disease defect affects intoxication age defendant time crime whether defendant accomplice offense participation commission offense relatively minor circumstance extenuates gravity crime even though legal excuse crime cal penal code ann west version also provided fter heard received evidence trier fact shall consider take account guided aggravating mitigating circumstances referred section shall determine whether penalty shall death confinement state prison term life without possibility parole california legislature also responded confusion amending factor include sympathetic aspect defendant character record defendant offers basis sentence less death whether related offense trial cal jury brackets omitted amendment confirms view category evidence may provide basis sentence death much broader category described factor juror hailstone ca judge happens ca tell juror wilson wanted know okay know happen ca tell happen schick maybe inquire whether jury reach verdict think norton able make decision matter juror hailstone way going juror norton tough yes think allow continue discuss matter go instructions one another possibility making decision juror norton believe possibility juror huckabay need time think think need time app skipper south carolina plurality opinion recognized defendant potential good behavior future relate culpability crime committed even concurrence agreed almost definition reasoned prisoner good behavior neither excuses defendant crime reduces responsibility commission powell concurring judgment juror hailstone asked judge particular piece evidence possibility respondent get psychiatric treatment prison judge told jury consider evidence making decision judge answer legally correct lent support conclusion respondent future conduct structured prison environment relevant fall within listed factors response majority suggestion case may consistent johnson texas ante note johnson addressed different question namely whether jury considering future dangerousness give adequate weight capital defendant youth whatever connection may exist defendant youth future dangerousness connection whatsoever respondent evidence capable redemption circumstance extenuates gravity crime cal penal code west