spaziano florida argued april decided july petitioner trial murder florida trial informed instruct jury lesser included noncapital offenses waive statute limitations expired offenses petitioner refused waive statute jury instructed solely capital murder jury returned verdict guilty murder sentencing hearing conducted jury majority recommended life imprisonment florida law jury sentencing recommendation capital case advisory trial must conduct weighing aggravating mitigating circumstances determine proper sentence death sentence imposed specified written findings required case trial imposed death sentence entered findings support thereof florida affirmed conviction rejecting petitioner contention beck alabama held statute prohibiting lesser included offense instructions capital cases unconstitutional required reversal trial failure instruct jury lesser included offenses absent waiver statute limitations offenses however florida reversed death sentence trial judge consideration confidential portion presentence investigation report neither party received copy confidential portion remand trial imposed death penalty hearing allow petitioner present evidence response new presentence investigation report florida affirmed holding inter alia constitutional infirmity florida procedure whereby judge allowed override jury recommendation life imprisonment held facts error trial judge refuse instruct jury lesser included offenses beck alabama supra recognized risk unwarranted conviction created jury deprived third option convicting defendant lesser included offense petitioner general premise criminal defendant may required waive substantive right right statute limitations condition receiving otherwise constitutionally fair trial apply petitioner situation beck element found essential fair trial simply lesser included offense instruction abstract enhanced rationality reliability existence instruction introduced jury deliberations lesser included offense exists lesser included offense instruction detracts rather enhances rationality process defendant option waiving expired statute limitations lesser included offenses order jury instructed offenses asserting statute limitations pp constitutional requirement jury recommendation life imprisonment capital case final preclude trial judge overriding jury recommendation imposing death sentence fundamental issue capital sentencing proceeding determination appropriate punishment imposed individual sixth amendment guarantee right jury determination issue nothing safeguards arbitrary discriminatory application death penalty necessitated qualitative difference penalty requires sentence imposed jury purposes death penalty frustrated inconsistent scheme imposition penalty determined judge fact majority jurisdictions capital sentencing statutes give decision jury establish contemporary standards fairness decency offended jury override eighth amendment violated every time state reaches conclusion different majority sisters best administer criminal laws pp determination constitutional imperative jury responsibility deciding whether death penalty imposed also disposes petitioner double jeopardy challenge procedure judge vested sole responsibility imposing penalty judge advice become judgment simply comes jury application florida standards allowing trial jury recommendation life sentence violate constitutional requirement reliability capital sentencing indication application procedure resulted arbitrary discriminatory application death penalty either general particular case trial judge based decision presence two statutory aggravating circumstances absence mitigating circumstances florida reviewed petitioner sentence concluded death penalty properly imposed state law whether reasonable people differ result nothing irrational arbitrary imposition petitioner death penalty pp blackmun delivered opinion burger powell joined portion page part ii white rehnquist joined part ii brennan marshall stevens joined white filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment rehnquist joined post stevens filed opinion concurring part dissenting part brennan marshall joined post craig barnard argued cause petitioner brief richard jorandby richard burr iii richard greene mark menser assistant attorney general florida argued cause respondent brief jim smith attorney general ramsey clark richard ervin thomas horkan filed brief pro se amici curiae justice blackmun delivered opinion case presents questions regarding administration florida capital sentencing statute particular petitioner challenges trial failure instruct jury lesser included offenses capital murder also challenges imposition sentence death jury recommended life conclude facts case error trial judge refuse give lesser included offense instruction constitutional requirement jury recommendation life final also reject petitioner argument applied case florida standards overriding jury sentencing recommendation broad vague violate constitutional requirement reliability capital sentencing petitioner joseph robert spaziano indicted tried murder indictment brought two years one month alleged offense florida statute limitations effect time alleged offense august limitations period noncapital offenses two years stat statute limitations capital offenses murder primary evidence petitioner given witness testified petitioner taken garbage dump seminole county petitioner pointed remains two women claimed tortured murdered petitioner challenged sufficiency witness recall perception substantial drug habit witness testified taken drugs day visit garbage dump able direct police site see spaziano state close evidence trial informed petitioner instruct jury lesser included noncapital offenses attempted murder murder murder manslaughter petitioner waive statute limitations offenses tr petitioner refused waive statute accordingly instructed jury solely capital murder jury deliberated somewhat six hours reported deadlocked trial gave additional instruction encouraging jurors resolve differences come common conclusion shortly jury returned verdict guilty murder trial convened sentencing hearing jury arguments heard sides evidence offered aggravating mitigating circumstances majority jury recommended life imprisonment florida jury sentencing recommendation capital case advisory trial conduct weighing aggravating mitigating circumstances otwithstanding recommendation majority jury enter sentence life imprisonment death latter case specified written findings required stat trial concluded notwithstanding recommendation jury sufficient aggravating circumstances existed justify authorize death sentence mitigating circumstances insufficient outweigh aggravating circumstances sentence death imposed case app two aggravating circumstances found homicide especially heinous atrocious defendant convicted previously felonies involving use threat violence person trial found mitigating circumstance except perhaps age defendant appeal florida affirmed conviction reversed death sentence spaziano state deciding whether impose death sentence trial judge considered confidential portion presentence investigation report contained information petitioner previous felony convictions well charges petitioner convicted neither party received copy confidential portion relying gardner florida concluded error trial judge rely confidential information presentence investigation report without first disclosing information petitioner giving opportunity present evidence response memorandum supplemental authority petitioner also urged beck alabama required reversal conviction trial failure instruct jury lesser included offenses absent waiver statute limitations offenses found beck apposite beck concerned express statutory prohibition instructions lesser included offenses found nothing beck requiring jury determine guilt innocence lesser included offenses defendant convicted adjudicated guilty denied certiorari remand trial ordered new presentence investigation report scheduled hearing allow petitioner present evidence response report hearing petitioner offered evidence state presented evidence petitioner convicted previously forcible carnal knowledge aggravated battery although state attempted introduce evidence prior conviction petitioner initial sentencing hearing jury trial judge excluded evidence ground conviction appeal time gardner rehearing conviction final trial judge agreed proper consideration accordingly relied conviction finding aggravating circumstance defendant convicted previously felony involving use violence person judge also reaffirmed conclusion crime especially heinous atrocious cruel sentenced petitioner death app florida affirmed rejected petitioner argument trial erred allowing state introduce evidence previous conviction considered original sentencing phase noted information original presentence investigation report reason considered trial mistakenly thought florida law considered since conviction appeal also found constitutional infirmity procedure whereby judge allowed override jury recommendation life found double jeopardy problem procedure jury function advisory added understanding allowing jury recommendation binding violate requirements furman georgia finally found case evidence suggesting death sentence imposed jury recommendation life meets clear convincing test allow override jury recommendation accordance tedder state fla one judge dissented finding compelling reason override jury recommendation life granted certiorari affirm ii turn first trial refusal give instruction lesser included offenses beck alabama supra recognized risk unwarranted conviction created jury deprived third option convicting defendant lesser included offense see also keeble concluded uch risk tolerated case defendant life stake unavailability lesser included offense instruction enhances risk unwarranted conviction state constitutionally prohibited withdrawing option jury capital case issue whether defendant entitled benefit lesser included offense instruction expired period limitations offenses petitioner urges required waive substantive right statute limitations defense order receive constitutionally fair trial beck made clear capital trial lesser included offense instruction necessary element constitutionally fair trial thus petitioner claims entitled benefit beck rule regardless whether statute limitations prevents actually punished lesser included offense course quarrel petitioner general premise criminal defendant may required waive substantive right condition receiving otherwise constitutionally fair trial agree premise fairly applies petitioner situation petitioner us divorce beck rule reasoning based element beck found essential fair trial simply lesser included offense instruction abstract enhanced rationality reliability existence instruction introduced jury deliberations lesser included offense exists lesser included offense instruction detracts rather enhances rationality process beck require result beck recognized jury role criminal process essentially unreviewable always rational absence lesser included offense instruction increases risk jury convict persuaded defendant guilty capital murder simply avoid setting defendant free beck found risk unacceptable inconsistent reliability demanded capital proceedings goal beck rule words eliminate distortion fact finding process created jury forced choice capital murder innocence requiring jury instructed lesser included offenses defendant may convicted however simply introduce another type distortion fact finding process reaffirm commitment demands reliability decisions involving death defendant right benefit lesser included offense instruction may reduce risk unwarranted capital convictions unwilling close eyes social cost petitioner proposed rule beck require jury tricked believing choice crimes find defendant guilty reality choice rule undermine public confidence criminal justice system also serious disservice goal rationality beck rule based jury tricked thinking range offenses defendant may held accountable question whether beck requires lesser included offense instruction given defendant forced waive expired statute limitations offenses whether defendant given choice benefit lesser included offense instruction asserting statute limitations lesser included offenses think better option defendant given choice beck recognized rule regarding lesser included offense instruction originally developed aid prosecution state failed produce sufficient evidence prove crime charged might still persuade jury defendant guilty something see also wright federal practice procedure ed although beck rule rests premise lesser included offense instruction capital case benefit defendant may well cases defendant confident enough state proved capital murder want take chances jury see little reason require waive statute limitations defense also give state perceives advantage opportunity convict lesser offense fails persuade jury guilty capital murder case petitioner given choice whether waive statute limitations lesser offenses included capital murder knowingly chose circumstances error trial judge refuse instruct jury lesser included offenses iii petitioner second challenge concerns trial judge imposition sentence death jury recommended life imprisonment petitioner urges allowing judge override jury recommendation life violates eighth amendment proscription cruel unusual punishments jury verdict life final petitioner argues practice also violates fifth amendment double jeopardy clause made applicable fourteenth amendment see benton maryland finally drawing recognition value jury role particularly capital proceeding petitioner urges practice violates sixth amendment due process clause fourteenth amendment petitioner points need decide whether jury sentencing capital cases required case presents question whether given jury verdict life judge may override verdict impose death counsel acknowledged oral argument however fundamental premise capital sentencing decision one cases made jury tr oral arg therefore address fundamental premise however useful clarify issue petitioner urge capital sentencing much like trial guilt innocence controlled decision duncan louisiana duncan found right jury trial guaranteed sixth amendment basic system jurisprudence quoting oliver also protected state action fourteenth amendment course recognized capital proceeding many respects resembles trial issue guilt innocence see bullington missouri embarrassment expense ordeal faced defendant penalty phase capital murder trial least equivalent faced defendant guilt phase criminal trial concluded double jeopardy clause bars state making repeated efforts persuade sentencer impose death penalty quoting green arizona rumsey fact capital sentencing like trial respects significant double jeopardy clause however mean like trial respects significant sixth amendment guarantee jury trial concern bullington risk state resources wear defendant thereby leading erroneously imposed death penalty similar danger involved denying defendant jury trial sentencing issue life death sentencer whether judge jury constitutional obligation evaluate unique circumstances individual defendant sentencer decision life final arizona rumsey supra important despite unique aspects capital sentencing proceeding involves fundamental issue involved sentencing proceeding determination appropriate punishment imposed individual see lockett ohio plurality opinion woodson north carolina plurality opinion citing pennsylvania ex rel sullivan ashe williams new york sixth amendment never thought guarantee right jury determination issue petitioner urge recognition qualitative difference death penalty requires benefit jury furman georgia struck capital sentencing statutes georgia texas large part conclusion statutes penalty applied arbitrarily discriminatorily see also gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens since emphasized pursuit twin objectives measured consistent application fairness accused eddings oklahoma state determined death available penalty certain crimes must administer penalty way rationally distinguish individuals death appropriate sanction zant stephens furman georgia brennan concurring must also allow sentencer consider individual circumstances defendant background crime lockett ohio supra nothing twin objectives suggests sentence must imposed jury hoped current procedures greatly reduced risk jury sentencing result arbitrary discriminatory application death penalty see gregg georgia joint opinion certainly nothing safeguards necessitated recognition qualitative difference death penalty requires sentence imposed jury petitioner primary argument laws practice indicate nearly unanimous recognition juries judges better equipped make reliable capital sentencing decisions jury decision life inviolate reason recognition petitioner urges nature decision whether defendant life die sets capital sentencing apart requires jury ultimate word noncapital sentences imposed various reasons including rehabilitation incapacitation deterrence contrast primary justification death penalty retribution recognized decision capital punishment may appropriate sanction extreme cases expression community belief certain crimes grievous affront humanity adequate response may penalty death imposition death penalty words expression community outrage since jury serves voice community jury best position decide whether particular crime heinous community response must death answer decision final petitioner argument obviously appeal two fundamental flaws first distinctions capital noncapital sentences clear petitioner suggests petitioner acknowledges example deterrence may justification capital well sentences suggests deterrence proper consideration particular sentencers deciding whether penalty imposed given case true however noncapital cases whatever sentence deterrent function primarily consideration legislature gregg georgia joint opinion similar points made purposes capital noncapital punishment although incapacitation never embraced sufficient justification death penalty legitimate consideration capital sentencing proceeding jurek texas joint opinion stewart powell stevens retribution clearly plays prominent role capital case retribution element punishments society imposes suggestion sentence may imposed judge second even accepting petitioner premise retributive purpose behind death penalty element sets penalty apart follow sentence must imposed jury imposing sentence individual cases sole even primary vehicle community voice expressed decisions indicate discretion sentencing authority whether judge jury must limited reviewable see gregg georgia supra woodson north carolina zant stephens sentencer responsible weighing specific aggravating mitigating circumstances legislature determined necessary touchstones determining whether death appropriate penalty thus even jury imposes sentence community voice given free rein community voice heard least clearly legislature death penalty authorized particular circumstances death appropriate defined see gregg georgia joint opinion furman georgia burger dissenting powell dissenting denigrate significance jury role link community penal system bulwark accused state see gregg georgia joint opinion williams florida duncan louisiana witherspoon illinois joint simply purpose death penalty frustrated inconsistent scheme imposition penalty individual cases determined judge also acknowledge presence majority view capital sentencing unlike sentencing performed jury petitioner points jurisdictions capital sentencing statute give decision jury remaining allowing judge override jury recommendation life fact majority jurisdictions adopted different practice however establish contemporary standards decency offended jury override eighth amendment violated every time state reaches conclusion different majority sisters best administer criminal laws although judgments legislatures juries prosecutors weigh heavily balance us ultimately judge whether eighth amendment violated challenged practice see enmund coker georgia plurality opinion light facts sixth amendment require jury sentencing demands fairness reliability capital cases require neither nature purpose behind death penalty requires jury sentencing conclude placing responsibility trial judge impose sentence capital case unconstitutional several times made clear unwilling say one right way state set capital sentencing scheme see pulley harris zant stephens gregg georgia joint opinion twice concluded florida struck reasonable balance sensitivity individual circumstances ensuring penalty imposed arbitrarily discriminatorily barclay florida proffitt florida joint opinion stewart powell stevens persuaded placing responsibility trial judge impose sentence capital case fundamentally odds contemporary standards fairness decency florida must required alter scheme given final authority jury make decision iv determination constitutional imperative jury responsibility deciding whether death penalty imposed also disposes petitioner double jeopardy challenge procedure judge may vested sole responsibility imposing penalty nothing constitutionally wrong judge exercising responsibility receiving advice jury advice become judgment simply comes jury petitioner final challenge application standard florida announced allowing trial override jury recommendation life see tedder state already recognized significant safeguard tedder standard affords capital defendant florida see dobbert florida see also proffitt joint opinion satisfied florida takes standard seriously hesitated reverse trial derogates jury role see richardson state miller state responsibility however deference accorded jury recommendation particular case ensure result process arbitrary discriminatory see nothing suggests application procedure resulted arbitrary discriminatory application death penalty either general particular case regardless jury recommendation trial judge required conduct independent review evidence make findings regarding aggravating mitigating circumstances judge imposes sentence death must set forth writing findings sentence based stat florida must review every capital sentence ensure penalty imposed arbitrarily capriciously justice stevens noted barclay evidence florida failed responsibility perform meaningful appellate review death sentence either cases jury trial concluded death appropriate penalty cases jury recommended life trial overridden jury recommendation sentenced defendant death see barclay florida opinion concurring judgment case trial judge based decision presence two statutory aggravating circumstances first defendant previously convicted another capital felony felony involving use threat violence person based evidence available advisory jury florida law properly considered trial judge see white state petitioner prior conviction rape aggravated battery trial judge also found murder case heinous atrocious cruel witness accompanied petitioner dump site victim body found testified body covered blood cuts breasts stomach chest witness also testified petitioner recounted torture victim still living trial judge found mitigating circumstances florida reviewed petitioner sentence concluded death penalty properly imposed state law function decide whether agree majority advisory jury trial judge florida see barclay florida stevens concurring judgment whether reasonable people differ result see nothing irrational arbitrary imposition death penalty case judgment florida affirmed ordered join opinion judgment except dictum page opinion indicating beck alabama requires state trial capital case permit defendant waive statute limitations give instruction offense otherwise barred footnotes instructed jury follows ladies gentlemen duty agree upon verdict without violating conscientiously held convictions based evidence lack evidence juror mere pride opinion hastily formed expressed refuse agree yet juror simply purpose terminating case acquiesce conclusion contrary conscientiously held view evidence listen views talk differences opinion spirit fairness candor possible resolve differences come common conclusion verdict may reached case may disposed tr agreement parties jury polled sentencing tr florida capital sentencing statute effect time petitioner trial january identical currently effect statute directed sentencer determine whether statutory aggravating circumstances outweighed statutory mitigating circumstances see laws ch current statute directs sentencer determine whether statutory aggravating circumstances outweighed mitigating circumstances amended laws ch suggestion case either jury trial judge precluded considering non statutory mitigating evidence cf barclay florida stevens concurring judgment note although specifically addressed question presented assumed defendant constitutionally entitled lesser included offense instruction trial authority convict lesser included offense see keeble stewart dissenting ground decision improperly conferred jurisdiction federal district crimes enumerated major crimes act doubt petitioner understanding implications refusal waive statute limitations following colloquy occurred open understand statute limitations run submitting jury lesser included verdicts representing charges murder murder manslaughter benefit statute limitations waive benefit course submit case jury manslaughter waive statute limitations submit jury one charge main charge murder first degree sentencing alternatives defense counsel stated understand spaziano yes honor sure spaziano understand waiving brought murder figure guilty killed tr death sentence unique severity irrevocability gregg georgia joint opinion stewart powell stevens jj furman georgia brennan concurring carefully scrutinized capital sentencing schemes minimize risk penalty imposed error arbitrary capricious manner must valid penological reason choosing among many criminal defendants sentenced death zant stephens enmund florida godfrey georgia gardner florida plurality opinion proffitt florida joint opinion stewart powell stevens jj gregg georgia furman georgia supra time insisted sentencing decision based facts circumstances individual crime zant stephens eddings oklahoma lockett ohio plurality opinion gregg georgia woodson north carolina plurality opinion petitioner efforts distinguish considerations relevant imposition capital noncapital sentence bear jury ability function sentencer capital case constitutionality judge particular quarrel proposition juries perhaps capable making decision capital case choosing among various sentencing options available noncapital case see aba standards criminal justice commentary pp ed reserving capital sentencing general disapproval jury involvement sentencing sentencing trial judge certainly required furman georgia supra see gregg georgia joint opinion accept juries may sentence constitutionally must jurisdictions allow death sentence jury recommends death unless defendant requested trial sentencing see ark stat ann cal penal code ann west supp rev stat supp stat del code tit supp code ann rev ch supp rev stat supp la code crim proc art west supp md ann code art supp mass laws ch west supp miss code ann supp mo rev stat supp rev stat ann supp stat ann west stat ann stat ohio rev code ann okla tit cons stat code supp comp laws ann code ann tex code cram proc art vernon supp utah code ann supp code rev code wyo stat app nevada jury given responsibility imposing sentence capital case jury agree panel three judges may impose sentence rev stat arizona idaho montana nebraska alone imposes sentence rev stat ann supp idaho code mont code ann neb rev stat besides florida allow judge override jury recommendation life alabama indiana code ind code supp justice stevens justice brennan justice marshall join concurring part dissenting part case others arising capital punishment statute enacted florida trial judge sentenced defendant death jury recommended sentence life imprisonment question presented whether constitution permits petitioner execution prosecution unable persuade jury peers death penalty appropriate punishment crime fourteenth amendment provides state may deprive person life liberty property without due process law concept due process permits deprivation whether life liberty property occur grossly excessive particular case cruel unusual punishment proscribed eighth amendment differences three categories however mere matters degree although look state law source right property source liberty surely exclusive source meachum fano stevens dissenting see board regents roth deprivation liberty qualitatively different deprivation property heightened procedural safeguards hallmark criminal jurisprudence jurisprudence also unequivocally established state deprivation person life also qualitatively different lesser intrusion liberty years since furman georgia every member written joined least one opinion endorsing proposition severity irrevocability death penalty qualitatively different punishment hence must accompanied unique safeguards ensure justified response given offense one punishment prescribed rule law judges normally understand rules rather ultimately understood expression community outrage sense individual lost moral entitlement live convinced danger excessive response avoided decision impose death penalty made jury rather single governmental official conviction consistent judgment history current consensus opinion juries better equipped judges make capital sentencing decisions basic explanation consensus lies fact question whether sentence death excessive particular circumstances case one must answered decisionmaker best able express conscience community ultimate question life death witherspoon illinois omitted florida adopted unusual trifurcated procedure identifying persons convicted capital felony shall sentenced death consists determination guilt innocence jury advisory sentence jury actual sentence imposed trial judge proffitt florida opinion stewart powell stevens judge determination reviewed florida determine whether aggravating mitigating circumstances found trial judge supported evidence justify sentence death procedure adopted democratically elected legislature presume validity gregg georgia opinion stewart powell stevens nevertheless presumption conclusive eighth amendment effectively read constitution eighth amendment based recognition occasions state federal governments undertake punish manner inconsistent fundamental value framers wished secure legislative majorities thus correctly although judgments legislatures juries prosecutors weigh heavily balance ultimately us judge whether eighth amendment violated challenged practice ante quoting enmund florida cases established appropriate mode analysis must assessment contemporary values concerning infliction challenged sanction determine whether punishment imposed way offends evolving standar decency gregg opinion stewart powell stevens ii inquiry practices adopted majority legislatures provides logical starting point determining whether practice issue comports eighth amendment egislative measures adopted people chosen representatives weigh heavily ascertaining contemporary standards decency woodson north carolina plurality opinion judgment people representatives firmly supports conclusion jury make decision necessary capital cases except four entirely abolished capital punishment middle last century every american jurisdiction time authorized jury sentencing capital cases mcgautha california example jurisdictions employed discretionary capital sentencing require imposition jury determinations trial judge disregard time furman jurisdictions employed discretionary capital punishment permitted death sentence imposed without consent jury currently explains ante jurisdictions capital punishment statutes require decision impose death penalty made consent jury jurisdictions permit override jury recommendation leniency enmund florida relied fact jurisdictions capital statutes permitted imposition death penalty defendant intended death victim strong support conclusion cases imposition capital punishment offends contemporary standards decency therefore violates eighth amendment see level consensus even greater thereby demonstrating strong community feeling decent fair leave decision authentic voice community jury rather single governmental official examination historical contemporary evidence thus unequivocally supports conclusion reached royal commission capital punishment three decades ago part hesitation agreeing many witnesses considered country least responsibility deciding whether person convicted murder sentenced death lesser punishment heavy burden impose single individual sentence death differs absolutely degree sentence wholly inconsistent traditional approach issues lay shoulders judge responsibility grave invidious accord instinct people entrust men women jury joint responsibility decisions affect life accused royal commission capital punishment report iii florida one permits imposition sentence death without consent jury examination reasons florida decision illuminates extent statute considered consistent contemporary standards fairness decency century florida law required jury make capital sentencing decision change decisionmaking process occurred motivated identifiable change legislature assessment community values rather response decision furman furman plurality condemned arbitrary pattern results capital punishment statutes number responded furman reducing discretion granted juries deeply rooted communal value rather attempt comply several opinions case dobbert florida specifically noted florida jury override challenge adopted attempt comply furman see subsequently made clear jury sentencing inconsistent furman thereby undermining basis legislative judgment challenged legislative choice predicated sort misunderstanding entitled presumption validity one rests wholly legislative assessment sound policy community sentiment even apart history reason question whether florida statute viewed representing judgment judicial sentencing consistent contemporary standards administration statute actually reflects deeply rooted impulse legitimate process involvement jury made evident use advisory jury also fact statute construed forbid trial judge reject jury decision unless finds evidence favoring sentence death clear convincing virtually reasonable person impose lesser sentence thus florida experience actually lends support conclusion american jurisprudence considered use jury important fairness legitimacy capital punishment iv correctly notes sentencing traditionally question jury concerned ante deciding upon appropriate sentence person convicted crime routine work judges reason experience well training judges presumably perform function well precisely death penalty unique normal presumption judge appropriate sentencing authority apply capital context decision whether individual must die one traditionally entrusted judges tradition marked sharp distinction usual evaluations judicial competence respect capital noncapital sentencing eliminates general presumption judicial sentencing appropriate capital context also provides reason question whether assigning role governmental officials juries consistent community moral sense tradition contemporary practice american jurisdictions indicate capital sentencing judges offends moral sense unique kind judgment must made authentic voice community nevertheless correct insist factors conclusive eighth amendment prevent innovation variation administration criminal law ante therefore focused inquiry eighth amendment implications decision put accused death jury relationship implications essential punishment may cruel unusual barbarity excessive disproportionate offense order evaluate claim punishment excessive one must first identify reasons imposing general punishment may rationally imposed four reasons rehabilitate offender incapacitate committing offenses future deter others committing offenses assuage victim community desire revenge retribution first purposes obviously inapplicable death sentence second served execution view availability imprisonment alternative means preventing defendant violating law future death sentence clearly excessive response concern thus left deterrence retribution justifications capital punishment majority concluded general deterrence rationale adequately justifies imposition capital punishment least certain classes offenses legislature may reasonably conclude death penalty deterrent effect however reaching conclusion stated judgment peculiarly within competence legislatures judiciary thus deterrence rationale used support use judicial opposed jury discretion capital sentencing least absent finding florida legislature purported make judges better gauging general deterrent effect capital sentence juries moreover deterrence rationale argues ensuring death sentence imposed significant number cases remain potential social response defined conduct since decision whether employ jury sentencing change number cases death possible punishment use judicial sentencing sufficient impact deterrent effect statute justify use murderer calculus affected whether death penalty imposed judge jury finally even though deterrence rationale may provide basis identifying defendants eligible death penalty cases establish decision whether condemn man death given case may product deterrence considerations alone despite fact legislature may rationally conclude mandatory capital punishment deterrent effect given class aggravated crimes significantly greater discretionary capital sentencing invalidated mandatory capital punishment statutes well statutes permit trier fact consider mitigating circumstance even unrelated perhaps inconsistent deterrent purposes penalty well settled trier fact capital case must permitted weigh consideration indeed aspect defendant crime character relevant question whether death excessive punishment offense thus particular capital sentencing decisions rest entirely deterrent considerations context capital felony cases therefore question whether death sentence appropriate nonexcessive response particular facts case depend retribution justification nature justification described gregg 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 opinion stewart powell stevens jj omitted vi authors federal state constitutional guarantees uniformly recognized special function jury exercise plenary power life liberty citizen jurisprudence jury always played essential role legitimating system criminal justice guarantees jury trial federal state constitutions reflect profound judgment way law enforced justice administered right jury trial granted criminal defendants order prevent oppression government wrote constitutions knew history experience necessary protect unfounded criminal charges brought eliminate enemies judges responsive voice higher authority framers constitutions strove create independent judiciary insisted upon protection arbitrary action providing accused right tried jury peers gave inestimable safeguard corrupt overzealous prosecutor compliant biased eccentric judge defendant preferred judgment jury tutored perhaps less sympathetic reaction single judge beyond jury trial provisions federal state constitutions reflect fundamental decision exercise official power reluctance entrust plenary powers life liberty citizen one judge group judges fear unchecked power typical state federal governments respects found expression criminal law insistence upon community participation determination guilt innocence duncan louisiana omitted consideration supports constitutional entitlement trial jury rather judge guilt innocence stage right authentic representative community apply lay perspective determination must precede deprivation liberty applies special force determination must precede deprivation life many respects capital sentencing resembles trial question guilt involving prescribed burden proof given elements adversarial process important procedural aspects decision capital cases depends upon link community values moral constitutional legitimacy witherspoon illinois observing jury must choose life imprisonment capital punishment little must nothing less express conscience community ultimate question life death omitted added ne important functions jury perform making selection maintain link contemporary community values penal system line without determination punishment hardly reflect evolving standards decency mark progress maturing society quoting trop dulles plurality opinion least since revolution american jurors regularity disregarded oaths refused convict defendants death sentence automatic consequence guilty verdict seen initial movement reduce number capital offenses separate murder degrees prompted part reaction jurors well reformers objected imposition death penalty crime nineteenth century journalists statesmen jurists repeatedly observed jurors often deterred convicting palpably guilty men murder mandatory statutes thereafter continuing evidence jury reluctance convict persons capital offenses mandatory death penalty jurisdictions resulted legislative authorization discretionary jury sentencing omitted vii importance jury legitimacy capital sentencing decision consistent theme evaluation capital punishment statutes gregg reaffirmed link evolving standards decency imposition capital punishment provided jury well traditional function jury ensuring death penalty assessed cases imposition consistent eighth amendment standards jury also significant reliable objective index contemporary values directly involved said one important functions jury perform making selection life imprisonment death defendant convicted capital case maintain link contemporary community values penal system 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 opinion stewart powell stevens jj citations omitted quoting witherspoon vidence incompatibility mandatory death penalties contemporary values provided results jury sentencing discretionary statutes witherspoon illinois observed one important functions jury perform exercising discretion choose life imprisonment capital punishment maintain link contemporary community values penal system various studies indicate even murder cases juries sentencing discretion impose death penalty great frequency woodson plurality opinion omitted quoting kalven zeisel american jury jury provides better link community values single judge supported cases also common sense juries comprised fair cross section community representative institutions judiciary reflect accurately composition experiences community whole inevitably make decisions based community values reliably segment community selected service bench indeed preceding discussion demonstrates belief juries accurately reflect conscience community single judge central reason jury right recognized guilt stage jurisprudence belief firmly supports use juries capital sentencing order address eighth amendment concern capital punishment administered consistently community values fact available empirical evidence indicates judges juries make sentencing decisions capital cases significantly different ways thus supporting conclusion entrusting capital decision single judge creates unacceptable risk decision consistent community values thus legitimacy capital punishment light eighth amendment mandate concerning proportionality punishment critically depends upon whether imposition particular case consistent community sense values juries historically continue much better indicator whether death penalty disproportionate punishment given offense light community values single judge prosecutor convince jury defendant deserves die unjustifiable risk imposition punishment reflect community sense defendant moral guilt florida statute thus inconsistent need reliability determination death appropriate punishment specific case woodson plurality opinion introduce level uncertainty unreliability factfinding process tolerated capital case beck alabama result statute creates risk death penalty imposed spite factors may call less severe penalty choice life death risk unacceptable incompatible commands eighth fourteenth amendments lockett ohio plurality opinion state specification aggravating circumstances meaningful appellate review jury verdicts develops capital sentencing process aggregate distinguishes may live die acceptably nonarbitrary way furman progeny provide warrant indeed tolerate exclusion capital sentencing process jury critical contribution make toward linking administration capital punishment community values viii history tradition basic structure purpose jury system persuade jury sentencing essential administration capital punishment governed community evolving standards decency constitutional legitimacy capital punishment depends upon extent process able produce results reflect community moral sensibilities judges simply acceptably mirror sensibilities notion right jury trial premised realization judicial sentencing capital cases provide type community participation process upon legitimacy depends state wishes execute citizen must persuade jury peers death appropriate punishment offense believe said acceptable degree assurance imposition death penalty consistent community sense proportionality thus case florida authorized imposition disproportionate punishment violation eighth fourteenth amendments accordingly join part ii opinion respect remainder opinion judgment respectfully dissent see solem helm eighth amendment provides excessive bail shall required excessive fines imposed cruel unusual punishments inflicted eighth amendment incorporated due process clause fourteenth amendment robinson california louisiana ex rel francis resweber plurality opinion see solem helm burger dissenting enmund florida beck alabama rummel estelle lockett ohio plurality opinion coker georgia plurality opinion gardner florida plurality opinion gregg georgia opinion stewart powell stevens death truly awesome punishment calculated killing human state involves nature denial executed person humanity contrast plight person punished imprisonment evident individual prison lose right rights prisoner retains example constitutional rights free exercise religion free cruel unusual punishments treatment person purposes due process law equal protection laws prisoner remains member human family moreover retains right access courts punishment irrevocable apart common charge grounded upon recognition human fallibility punishment death must inevitably inflicted upon innocent men know death lot men whose convictions unconstitutionally secured view later retroactively applied holdings punishment may unconstitutionally inflicted yet finality death precludes relief executed person indeed lost right rights one century proponent punishing criminals death declared man hung end relations execution way saying fit world take chance elsewhere furman brennan concurring citation omitted quoting stephen capital punishments fraser magazine see also stewart concurring penalty death differs forms criminal punishment degree kind unique total irrevocability unique rejection rehabilitation convict basic purpose criminal justice unique finally absolute renunciation embodied concept humanity correctly treats question whether procedure constitutional open one question explicitly reserved decision past see bell ohio plurality opinion lockett ohio plurality opinion proffitt considered number aspects statute precise issue arise since advisory jury recommended proffitt sentenced death opinion stewart powell stevens thus description proffitt containing holding point barclay florida stevens concurring judgment incorrect death sentences based trial judge rejection jury recommendation vacated without considering question gardner florida arizona rumsey death sentence case advisory jury recommended life imprisonment upheld dobbert florida certiorari granted consider permissibility sentence ex post facto clause see sentence also upheld barclay issue neither raised decided see enmund florida dissenting coker georgia powell concurring judgment part dissenting part woodson north carolina plurality opinion another aspect eighth amendment analysis unrelated contemporary standards decency eighth amendment demands challenged punishment acceptable contemporary society also must ask whether comports basic concept human dignity core amendment sanction imposed totally without penological justification results gratuitous infliction suffering gregg opinion stewart powell stevens jj citation omitted see also rhodes chapman estelle gamble one contends however judicial sentencing capital cases results gratuitous infliction suffering violate aspect eighth amendment see also solem helm enmund florida coker georgia plurality opinion roberts louisiana white dissenting gregg opinion stewart powell stevens see andres frankfurter concurring see witherspoon illinois nn opinion douglas brief amicus curiae mcgautha california crampton ohio pp british experience particularly relevant since eighth amendment derived magna carta english declaration rights see solem helm gregg opinion stewart powell stevens jj furman georgia marshall concurring trop dulles plurality opinion see douglas concurring brennan concurring stewart concurring white concurring see also marshall concurring see lockett ohio plurality opinion woodson plurality opinion see also ehrhardt levinson florida legislative response furman exercise futility crim case florida said allowing jury recommendation binding violate furman see also johnson state per curiam cert denied douglas state per curiam see zant stephens gregg opinion stewart powell stevens jj white concurring judgment separate reason discounting normal presumption validity statute worked intended protect rights defendant although technically judge may impose death sentence practical sense accused confronts jeopardy death sentence twice jury recommends death elected florida judge sensitive community sentiment additional reason follow recommendation cases jury override procedure worked defendant advantage trial judge rejected jury recommendation death brought attention attorney general florida presumably aware cases hand fact persons identify victims crime capital defendants inevitably encourages judges must face election reject recommendation leniency fact defendants persuaded juries recommend mercy thereafter sentenced death florida statute lends support thesis practical matter prosecution given two chances obtain death sentence statute capital cases even defendant pleaded guilty waived jury issue guilt innocence florida statute requires empanelment advisory jury render sentence unless advisory jury separately waived defendant see stat see dobbert citing tedder state proffitt florida opinion stewart powell stevens jj proffitt joint opinion stated appear judicial sentencing lead anything even greater consistency imposition trial level capital punishment since trial judge experienced sentencing jury therefore better able impose sentences similar imposed analogous cases opinion stewart powell stevens course since proffitt challenging judicial sentencing case see supra statement directed risk arbitrariness identified plurality furman concerned claim made jury sentencing consistent community values moreover experience florida statute indicates prediction concerning judicial sentencing borne florida proved much likely reverse jury override case type capital case see radelet vandiver florida death penalty appeals crim also clear majority override cases ultimately result sentences life imprisonment rather death see app brief petitioner thus doubtful judicial sentencing worked reduce level capital sentencing disparity anything evidence override cases suggests jury reaches appropriate result often judge see solem helm enmund rhodes chapman coker georgia plurality opinion estelle gamble gregg opinion stewart powell stevens jj weems although incapacitation identified one rationale advanced death penalty gregg opinion stewart powell stevens jj placed reliance upon rationale upholding imposition capital punishment eighth amendment ground mentioned four seven justices voted uphold death penalty gregg companion cases see roberts louisiana white dissenting joined burger blackmun rehnquist event incapacitation alone justify imposition capital punishment mandatory death penalty statutes constitutional held see ante see roberts louisiana white dissenting gregg opinion stewart powell stevens see also marshall dissenting gregg justice stewart justice powell wrote although studies suggest death penalty may function significantly greater deterrent lesser penalties convincing empirical evidence either supporting refuting view may nevertheless assume safely murderers act passion threat death little deterrent effect many others death penalty undoubtedly significant deterrent carefully contemplated murders murder hire possible penalty death may well enter cold calculus precedes decision act categories murder murder life prisoner sanctions may adequate value capital punishment deterrent crime complex factual issue resolution properly rests legislatures evaluate results statistical studies terms local conditions flexibility approach available courts indeed many statutes reflect responsible effort define crimes criminals capital punishment probably effective deterrent footnotes citation omitted cf enmund imposition death penalty lacking intent kill attenuated deterrent effect justified deterrence lockett ohio white concurring part dissenting part florida legislature purport make contrary finding advance enhanced deterrent effect justification judicial sentencing indeed argument especially anomalous case light deference generally given jury determinations florida statute see eddings oklahoma lockett ohio plurality opinion roberts louisiana per curiam roberts louisiana plurality opinion woodson plurality opinion jurek texas opinion stewart powell stevens see also california ramos enmund see also furman stewart concurring powell dissenting see also brown louisiana plurality opinion burch louisiana ballew georgia opinion blackmun apodaca oregon plurality opinion williams florida see also humphrey cady see bullington missouri see also arizona rumsey accord mcgautha california furman burger dissenting powell dissenting see generally note death penalty federalism eighth amendment constraints allocation state decisionmaking power stan rev see also eddings oklahoma lockett ohio plurality opinion furman douglas concurring brennan concurring marshall concurring mcgautha andres frankfurter concurring see also enmund coker georgia plurality opinion see duren missouri valuable article professor gillers written intuitively juries chosen accordance rules calculated assure reflect fair community likely accurately express community values individual state trial judges true twelve people likely one person reflect public sentiment jurors selected manner enhancing likelihood trial judges collectively represent race sex economic social class communities come response representative jury acceptable size consequently taken community response jury try determine community say giving conclusion speaks community judge hand must assess community belief conscience impose must impose assume community whichever judge representative jury seem substantially better chance identifying community view simply speaking mind intuitive expectation representative jury adequate size convey community values reliably single judge finds support cases treating jury composition culpability trials related area stressed importance representative jury aid assuring meaningful community participation accepted idea different segments community bring representative jury perspectives values influence jury deliberation result addition said juries decreasing size reduced chance reflecting minority viewpoints conclusions size representativeness juries influence ability reflect community values support inference representative jury adequate size also likely single judge reflect community retributive sentiment indeed since capital sentencing involves application community values whereas predominantly demands factfinding conclusions seem apply even greater force capital sentencing area gillers deciding dies rev footnotes omitted respected study matter found judges juries disagree imposition death penalty percent cases juries much likely show mercy judges see zeisel data juror attitudes toward capital punishment study must viewed caution based sentencing juries given guidance concerning standards decision see zeisel supra standards judges follow either wide disparity judge jury sentencing era sentence express sense proportionality see witherspoon suggests judicial sentencing reflect moral sensibility jury sentencing large number jury overrides florida statute tends indicate disparity judge jury continued era indeed facts case illustrate point crime petitioner convicted quite horrible case rather weak resting largely uncorroborated testimony drug addict said petitioner bragged killed number women led victim body may well jury sufficiently convinced petitioner guilt convict nevertheless also sufficiently troubled possibility irrevocable mistake might made coupled evidence indicating petitioner suffered serious head injuries years old induced personality change app see also mcdonald dissenting jury concluded sentence death morally justified case judge trained distinguish proof guilt questions concerning sentencing might react quite differently case jury see melville billy budd pocket books compassion otherwise share mindful paramount obligations strive scruples may tend enervate decision gentlemen hide case exceptional one speculatively regarded well might referred jury casuists us acting casuists moralists case practical martial law practically dealt see pulley harris stevens concurring part concurring judgment zant stephens gregg opinion stewart powell stevens jj white concurring judgment