Brief Amicus Curiae of Indiana State
Public Court Documents
January 1, 1971

24 pages
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Case Files, McCleskey Background Materials. McCleskey v. Zant, SCOTUS - Attorney's Working Files - General, 1990. 4f9a41d6-62a7-ef11-8a69-7c1e5266b018. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/25d8882a-bc57-473d-8211-bf83111c866b/mccleskey-v-zant-scotus-attorneys-working-files-general. Accessed August 19, 2025.
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Decided October 29, 1890 PER CURIAM. The motion of petitioner for leave to proceed in forma pay- peris and the petition for a writ of certiorari are granted. To the extent that the Mississippi Supreme Court relied on the “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel” aggravating factor in affirming petitioner's death sentence, its decision is rev : See Maynard v. Cartwright, 486 U. S. 356 (1988). Although the trial cow in this case used a limiting instruction to define the “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel” factor, that in- struction is not constitutionally sufficient. See Godyrey V. Georgia, 446 U. S. 420 (1980); Cartwright V. Maynard, 822 F. 24 1477, 1459-1401 (CA10 1987), aff'd, 486 U.S. 356 (1988). The case 18 remanded to the Mississippi Supreme Court for further consideration in light of Clemons v. Missise sippi, 494 U. S. — (1990). It is so ordered. ‘ i ] TH pnt TTi*F [ | =I i EL ll - i=" ] mesons ans TTT TT ii |r RE y I a J Ie Ye] . - 191%” YY i + oy ¥ Poa Os LI -hRale "0 y Li] H] Ee] we 5 i fw §- RL! WA L114 0 I 1 A 4 | . 7 4 y " oe} ‘TE y g % oH 11 3 TT 1) 4 i ae & id A dh dh fet fe oie Se ¥ & I —NSYSnisté’ fe 4 T i q a \ T Ths oli i ; §il f {yl | | | li u 11 ! rid LL til i 1 we | vias egy » {a if ei il hn | LLY. TE | L LI } ‘ wt party EE ———— A S— we : b # ' . 5 - a i } ? i | 3 ' tL: 1 fF 5 La | ef lhe irr eS Sev W A » ; ingle 4 i 7 : ¥ Fe Ny 2 ’ » y : n ol . " 1 } 1 - WE 3 . f bd 1 i ; 1 9m i . % 4 . * 8 Fy \ = Me Bi he Bg § . 8 - ' ml | y & \ x, “ Fo bi 1 aaa ay = =. ul 1 LH] a rl Yap Data LLU rel 4 It fd] je] a) A [ — R—— A ——— ——rr FR — NE da ——— costs y om A ha KS i. oS oi or ey, . PURE. J GY BA 4 3 i 3 y | k 7 i 11 Ca | [W | 54% Al ] -y - . -l 4 t (3 ds ¥ 5 ¢ Ewe Bd i ; 5 tes ON 55 tt 4 4 Fe = ; 4 1 San ea . LF Ta i i ; . i : i { i y i ” - ¥ ty BT ot Host r + iid . . - Heve, ALIN Hig fovtui hes J timing mb Hs 0 stm ovenrch i, and THILO, | a fates, 50 puns Sate faced Tun Guoshens ORM ARGUMENT ARR) MECLEKR v. WALTER 0. 24d T SutREME CounNT oo THe UMTED STRATES Ock=ber 31, 19% This Is a cage hud State Miccondudt -- a Nassich violation — — Cabout how that miscondud was HIDDEN by Jake offeals br NINE Veres avd (3 about hed i} Wide dd Wo dud, s CR lnk Was if whe, Eons Ls nl a Re ead? w= INA i aha pla Ey fend | Sand) oid cdr eset och Lot 1s 10 So vesprae © N.~ by didit BoStagp fitoustw thy 3 ddechins 7 A dood apposed - Ps am attomey | Eb Judd bak to ost pow Joeop. h ollos fix} | S@ hla, tay hed sued 2 i volahinsagy Tul prtaliy sveraddine Clioice gf went 2) Comsd, Stnebland v. Weel a. Fege 8] — Is Legos tTidpe. orvestes compo > Wankrcr « Cis. 2. lial teri sayin toad “ihoxousllaslodt“ 2 “doblent: (pase * ae tuided, Frosh — but frat to ad apiacy ) an Iuka € A (7 Hea Gpastiom "1126 Leslie LOWENFIELD, petitioner, v. C. Paul PHELPS, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Corrections, et al. No. 86-6867. Former decision, 107 S.Ct. 3221; 107 S.Ct. 3227; 108 S.Ct. 30; 108 S.Ct. hae. Case below, 671 F.Supp. 423; 5 Cir., 817 F.2d 285. March 7, 1988. The petition for rehear- ing is denied. Justice KENNEDY took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. w 0 Ever NUMBER SYSTEM T 2 Patrick W. MURPHY, appellant, v. AETNA LIFE AND CASUALTY, etc, et al. No. 87-5587. Former decision, 108 S.Ct. 447. Case below, 9 Cir., 815 F.2d 714. March 7, 1988. The petition for rehear- ing is denied. Justice KENNEDY took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. O ¢ KEY NUMBER SYSTEM “ A m s 3 Henry L. DANIELS, petitioner, v. SEC- RETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. No. 87-5839. Former decision, 108 S.Ct. 722. Case below, 6 Cir., 825 F.2d 410. 108 SUPREME COURT REPORTER March 7, 1988. The petition for rehear- ing is denied. Justice KENNEDY took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. © = KEY NUMBER SYSTEM ~ m s Mark A. TRAPANI, petitioner, v. CBS RECORDS, INC., et al. No. 87-5904. Former decision, 108 S.Ct. 764. March 7, 1988. The petition for rehear- ing is denied. Justice KENNEDY took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. O ¢ KEY NUMBER SYSTEM — “ m s = Patricia A. WHITE, petitioner, v. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. No. 87-6056. Former decision, 108 S.Ct. 784. Case below, 32 M.S.P.R. 99; Fed.Cir., 829 F.2d 43. March 7, 1988. The petition for rehear- ing is denied. Justice KENNEDY took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. —— ) MEMORANDUM DECISIONS Cite as 108 S.Ct. (1988) 1 James E. WHEELER, ef al. petitioners, v. COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS OF KENTUCKY. No. R7-732. Former decision, 108 S(t. 702 Case below, 6 Cir, 822 F.2d 586. March 7, 1988. The petition for rehear- ing and/or other relief ic denied. Justice KENNEDY took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition. O KEY NUMBER Sy 11 My A po — “ m s 2 Zelma FRAZIER, petitioner, v. RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD. No. 87-5879. Former decision, 108 S.Ct. 757. March 7, 1988. The application to sus- pend the effect of the order denying certio- rari addressed to Justice KENN EDY and referred to the Court is denied. The peti- tion for rehearing is denicd. Justice KENNEDY took no part in I the consideration or decision of this application and petition w corres, © Exey NUMBER Syaii it) 3 AAA 3 K MART CORPORATION, petitioner, v. CARTIER, INC, No. 86-495. 47th STREET PHOTO). INC., petitioner, v. COALITION TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN TRADE- MARKS, et al. No. 86-621. UNITED STATES, et al. petitioners, v. COALITION TO PRESERVE THE IN- TEGRITY OF AMERICAN TRADE- MARKS, et al. No. 86-625. et al, Former decision, 107 S ( 642; 107 S.Ct. 1562; 107 S.Ct. 1563: 108 S.Ct. 26107 S.Ct. 1563; 108 S.Ct S.Ct. 950. Case below. U.S. App.D.C. 342, 790 | March 7, 1988 to the calendar for rear its. S.G. ADAMS PRINT TIONERY COMP A CENTERS, INC, Case below, 153 111. Aj Dec. 891, 506 N.E.2d 113 Ill.Deec. 302, 515 N March 9, 198%. certiorari is dismissed ; of this Court. Richard L. DUGGER, &. Department of Corre Larry Joe JOHNSON On application to vaca March 15, 198% Attorney General of Flori vacate the stay of executi Qeath entered by the Unit Court for the Northern ] presented to Justice KI him referred to the Court Justice O'CONNOR, will, CHIEF JUSTICE joins, di Larry Joe Johnson was executed on March 9, 19x forms us that it was served for a writ of habeas corp p.m. on March 7, 1988, an issue, under Caldwell 472 11.8. 320, 105 S.Ct. 2634 Johnson claims that the was improperly informed t}, sentencing decision was Noting that issues similar 1127 108 S.Ct. 27; 108 pp. 844; 252 903. 0S are restored ent on the mer- ‘« AND STA- v. MAY 87-1229. 4 1018, 106 111. 116 I11.2d 561, 111. ion for writ of ant to Rule 53 retary, Florida ms, et al. v, 0. A-693. tay. ication of the ran order to I sentence of lates District ict of Florida EDY and by denied. vhom THE nting. heduled to be I'he State in- ith a petition t about 5:45 tition raised Wississipp, 5), in which encing jury ts role in the v advisory. identical to - ais-d vn ej ft ee av apprela P- ¢ 1128 Johnson's Caldwell claim are pending be- fore the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and before this Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida granted an indefinite stay of execution. The United States Court of Appeals for the Elevent Circuit denied the State's motion to vacate the stay. The State then applied to the Circuit Justice for the Eleventh Circuit for a vacation of the stay, and the application was referred to the full Court. Johnson did not file any response, and this t has voted to deny the application. I re- spectIily dissent: eroaumn e The State argues that Johnson has [ose the writ of habeas corpus by rais- ing his Caldwell claim at this time. The State avers that Johnson a ites ths same claim, along wi ous petition for federal a which was filed before this Court's decision Th Cald- grounds a ime, an TIFT: a on which ye] well was announced while the appeal was pending in the Eleventh Circuit, and John- son apparently did not bring it to the atten- tion of that court. Concluding that the claim was abandoned, fhe State now Urges. this time constitutes an abuse of the writ. “In my view, the State is clearly correct to are The oT Talaatoras is abused when a claim is raised in one peti- tion, abandoned on appeal, and then raised again in a successive petition. If Johnson's Caldwell claim falls into this category, then the District Court would seem to have abused its discretion by granting an indefi- nite stay of execution on the ground that Caldwell issues are present in other cases pending before the Eleventh Circuit and before this Court. Without ruling out the possibility that extraordinary circumstances might justif; our attention. istrict Court not a 108 SUPREME COURT REPORTER address the argument that the State has made to this Court. The State explains this in the following way. In an effort to facilitate the District Court’s consideration of any habeas petition that Johnson might file, it lodged an anticipatory response with that court. That response did not address Johnson's Caldwell claim because the State considered that claim abandoned. After Johnson filed his petition on March 7, the State prepared a supplemental response, which it expected to offer to the court at a hearing that was scheduled for the next morning at 10:00 a.m. Counsel for the State arrived at 9:30, but “was informed that the hearing was canceled and the [Dis- trict] Court had entered a stay without allowing the State to be heard.” The State’s attorney filed its written supple- mental response with the Clerk of the Dis- trict Court, and subsequently filed a motion to vacate the stay with the Eleventh Cir- cuit. Arguing before the Eleventh Circuit, Johnson gave two reasons for concluding that the District Court had considered and rejected the State’s abuse-of-the-writ argu- ment. First, Johnson had anticipated and answered the argument in his petition. Second, the stay of execution was not actu- ally entered until 10:31 a.m. on March 8, by which time the District Court would have had an opportunity to review the State's supplemental response to the petition. Johnson also argued to the Eleventh Cir- cuit that entry of the stay of execution was not an abuse of discretion because he did not ‘‘consciously’”’ abandon the Caldwell claim he raised on his first petition for federal habeas. Rather, he suggested, in failing to appeal the rejection of that claim his attorneys merely “conceded defeat on the merits.” On March 11, 1988, the Eleventh Circuit denied the State’s motion to vacate the stay of execution. No reasons were given, and the only allusion to the State’s arguments was the following sentence: “Such denial is without prejudice to [the State's] right to present in district court its argument that petitioner’s Caldwell claim is barred be- cause of failure to exhaust. procedural de- fault herwise. The standard under which we consider motions to vacate stays of execution is deferential, and properly so. (nly when the lower courts have clearly ahmed their diseretion in granting a stay should we take the extraordinary step of overturning such a decision. In the present case, Tow ever, there is no evident legal basic whatso- ever for a stay. The State has presented” an apparently meTitorious argument that Johnson's attempt to raise a Caldwell elgim at this time 1s an abuse of the writ, warid~Johnson’s suggestion that his previous abandonment of the claim was uo “conces- sion of defeat on the merits,” rather than a “conscious abandonment seems altogether specious, If the District Court refused to consider the State's apparently meritorious argument, that was certainly an abuse of discretion. If the District Court considered the argument but deemed it too insubstan- tial to require any comment, that too must be considered an abuse of discretion unless and until we are informed of reasons that would justify the implicit rejection of the State’s position. The Eleventh Circuit ar- ticulated no such reasons, and in fact ap- peared to indicate that it knew of none. The Eleventh Circuit seems to have thought that the proper course was to leave the stay in effect, but to indicate that the State was free to return to the District Court and repeat the argument it had sought to present earlier. [1 disagree. When a stay of execution has been granted without an apparent legal basis, and the court of appeals cannot articulate a reason for leaving the stay in effect, the proper course is to vacate the stay. Because nei- ther the District Court nor the Court of Appeals has articulated an adequate legal basis for entering a stay in this case, I would grant the State's application to va- Cite as 108 S.Ct. (1988) MEMORANDUM DECISIONS 1129 cate. Johnson would, of cow remain free to return to the District irt and seek a stay based on adequiie legal grounds, if there are any. A majority of this Court has iously expressed its disapproval of th ration tactics that seem to have been ci loyed in this case: “This is another capital case 1 which a last-minute application for a «1. of exe- cution and a new petition f habeas corpus relief have been filed vith no explanation as to why the el were not raised earlier or why the re not all raised in one petition. It i another example of abuse of the writ Wood- ward v. Hutchins, 464 U.S. 37 (T-378, 104 S.Ct. 752, 752, 18 L.Ed.2d i 11 (1984) (Powell, J., joined by Burge: I., and Blackmun, Rehnquist, and O'Conoor, JJ, concurring). While the details of this case ar newhat different, we are faced once ap with a last-minute effort to obtain a sta. «1 execu- tion on the basis of a claim that cars to be procedurally barred. Allowin; his stay to remain in effect creates incent es that will almost surely lead to similar [1oblems in the future: “If.this Court defers only to + rants of stays, while giving searching iew to every denial of a stay, the low federal courts may in time come to i stays routinely. In that event, Bar Iv. Es- telle’s statement that stays ol « ccution are not automatic in capital «os, 463 U.S. [880], at 895 [103 S.Ct. 33%: it 3396, 77 L.Ed.2d 1090], would effectively be overruled.” Wainwright v. Bo ler, 473 U.S. 935, 936, n. 3, 106 S.Ct. 30, =7 L.Ed. 2d 706 (1985) (Powell, J., concurring). Accordingly, I respectfully dicsont from the Court's denial of the State's a; lication in this case TE — ARGUMENT — NOVEMBER SESSION Monday, October 29 (1) 89-1332 McCNARY v. HAT REFUGEE Conn Dist. Oh. haoy, Claallerss alloging pa Hem 6) INE violas 4 Sl Cp Bs A. Sid rs, 1 98¢ Jnaw. Koon fet ? (2): be Junssds 89-1598 EASTERN ae v. FLOYD W vention Dogs Ri bo non phusicl [odd (3) such an 89-1149 GROGAN CARER w wid & Ho Shudand a (4) Saga a Act 89-1436 UNITED STATES v. R. ENTERPRISES Muc) Grol Prove rebames i ali 1 butinosy Uecads S a Subpomc ups Jecum ? Tuesday, October 30 (5) 89-1391) RUST v. SULLIVAN 89-1392) NEW YORK v. SULLIVAN ] To -— wr ur we Wulo bens Prolab ovum Co Bumily Plasma Clinics Ve cobs TitoX fupds (6) um mTtlohgm 89-7370 GOZLON-PERETZ v. UNITED Wd « Fo oh edtta 4 Xo prvisuin foverniu, itm vised pelpae “ome fry anttim (7) 89-680 rt a oi DI T.'V. GEORGIA x hostni idiog ees X wl (bry € ae ) tadia ] la ten Fond og « SET 10, P Wednesday, October 31 (8) 89-7024 McCLESKEY Vv. ZANT (9) 89-1555 DENNIS v. HIGGINS Je dain shite dispin. dsasst infostets conan) vii Gon Grmmance. (apis Suite vei wud, YU KC §19837 Des Comuttry Clase Pitch edie] gh” Fri, pad ivhjunsy Monday, November 5 (1) 89-1452) MOBI11..0JIl, v. UNITED DIST. 89-1453) FERC v. UNITED DIST. {(Consol.-~ 1 hour) (2) 89-1217 LEHNERT v. FERRIS FACULTY {3) Wadd 4 89-7272 HARMELIN v. MICHIGAN (4) 89-1008 OWEN v. OWEN Tuesday, November 6 (5) 87-6796 FORD v. GEORGIA (6) 88-1847 FORD MOTOR CREDIT v. FLA. DEPT. OF REVENUE (7) 89-5916 DEMAREST v. MANSPEAKER Wednesday, November 7 (8) 89-5961 PARKER Vv. DUGGER (9) 89-1646 UNITED STATES v. SMITH (September 26, 1990)