Death is Different: Actual Innocence andCategorical Exclusion Claims Underthe Antiterrorism and...

8/12/2019 Death is Different: Actual Innocence andCategorical Exclusion Claims Underthe Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act

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Death is Different: Actual Innocence and

Categorical Exclusion Claims Under

the Antiterrorism and Effective DeathPenalty Act

Michael J. Berwanger

I. INTRODUCTION

The Eighth Amendments Crel and Unsal !nishments Clase . . .is n"t ssce#ti$le "% #recise de%initi"n.&' Im#"rtantl() the C"rt hasrec"gni*ed that death is a di%%erent +ind "% #nishment %r"m an( "ther.& ,

In %act) the death #enalt( is c"nsidered s" ni-e that it t(#icall( re-ires a

$i%rcated trial.

!racticall( s#ea+ing) this means that the trial is $r"+en #int" tw" #hases) %irst t" determine i% the de%endant is gilt( "% a ca#ital

"%%ense)/ and i% s") the sec"nd #hase where the 0r( determines whatsentence is a##r"#riate.1 This N"te #rimaril( c"ncerns the sec"nd #hase2whether an indi3idal can claim inn"cence "% the death #enalt( $( 3irte "%a categ"rical e4clsi"n) des#ite a time $arred ha$eas #etiti"n.

Recentl() the 5#reme C"rt has clari%ied the re-irements "% the Eighth

Amendment $( e3alating #nishments against the e3"l3ing standards "%decenc( that mar+ the #r"gress "% a matring s"ciet(.& 67"r e4am#le) theC"rt has %"nd that ca#ital #nishment is e4cessi3e& in the case "%intellectall( disa$led indi3idals8 and dis#r"#"rti"nate& %"r 03enile

' . 7rman 3. 9e"rgia) /:; U.5. ,;) ,1; ./ . See!e#s"n)su#ran"te Err"r2 Re%erence s"rce n"t %"nd.1 . Seeid. at '1?'6.6 . R"#er 3. 5imm"ns) 1/ U.5. 11') 16:?6'


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1, $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8"%%enders less than eighteen (ears "% age.; There%"re) these gr"#s arecateg"ricall( e4clded %r"m im#"siti"n "% the death #enalt(.= Thise4clsi"nar( #rinci#le has $ec"me +n"wn as the e3"l3ing standards "%decenc(& d"ctrine.': A narr"w -esti"n that has arisen nder EighthAmendment 0ris#rdence is whether the writ "% ha$eas c"r#s''can ser3et" challenge the ca#ital sentence "% a categ"ricall( e4clded indi3idal "ndeath r"w.',

The writ "% ha$eas c"r#s is a time?h"n"red mechanism %"r remed(ingn0st incarcerati"ns&'and a means "% challenging the c"nstitti"nalit( "%an indi3idals c"n%inement "r sentence.'/ The a$ilit( t" challenge thec"nstitti"nalit( "% a sentence is 3ital t" #re3ent the im#"siti"n "% the death#enalt( in th"se cases where the c"n3icted #ers"n is actall( inn"cent "%

the crime "r the sentence 3i"lates c"nstitti"nal #rinci#les.'1Des#ite thesec"ncerns) in recent (ears C"ngress has restricted access t" ha$eas #etiti"ns%"r a nm$er "% reas"ns.'6

Utili*ing a time $arred ha$eas #etiti"n t" claim inn"cence "% the death#enalt( w"ld in3"l3e the actal inn"cence d"ctrine t" e-ita$l( t"ll "r

#r"3ide an e4ce#ti"n t" the Antiterr"rism and E%%ecti3e Death !enalt( Act statte "% limitati"ns %"r ha$eas #etiti"ns. There are tw" t(#es "%actal inn"cence claims) "ne claiming actal inn"cence "% the nderl(ing

; . Ro#er ) 1/ U.5. at 181.= . 9raham 3. 7l"rida) ': 5. Ct. ,:'') ,:,, >.': . See)e.g.)Ro#er) 1/ U.5. at 16' see

also5amel B. t*) The Eighth (mendment Reonsidered: ( Framework !or (naly+ing the

E,essi-eness rohibition) ;: N.G.U. . RE. ';6,) ';68?6; .'' . 7a( 3. N"ia) 8, U.5. =') /:, .'6 . Seeee @"3ars+()(ED(s Wreks: $omity/ Finality/ and Federalism)

;, TU. . RE. //) /1 Fhereina%ter @"3ars+()(ED(s Wreks see alsoDaniel M.

Bradle() Jr.) 5chl# 3. Del"2 The 3urden o! Showing (tual %nnoene in 0abeas $or#us

Re-iew and $ongress E!!orts at Re!orm) , NEEN9. J. ONCRIM. K CI. CON7INEMENT

/6) /68


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,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 1"%%ense)'8and the "ther claiming inn"cence "% the #enalt(. ';The C"rt hasset the standard %"r actal inn"cence "% a ca#ital "%%ense r""ted in %actalinn"cence in 0errera -. $ollins'= and Shlu# -. Delo.,: In Sawyer -.Whitley) the C"rt set the standard %"r claiming inn"cence "% the death#enalt(.,'

Crrent ineligi$ilit( law is an "tgr"wth %r"m actal inn"cence law)t(#icall( th"ght "% as crime inn"cence)& "r a %actal inn"cence claim. ,,

H"we3er) nli+e a %actal inn"cence claim) a death?ineligi$ilit(challenge& d"es n"t dis#te that the "%%ender c"mmitted the -ali%(ing"%%ense) $t "nl( the c"nstitti"nalit( "% the ca#ital sentence.&,

The #assage "% AED!A),/ which was c"di%ied int" %ederal law as astatte "% limitati"ns %"r a "ne (ear #eri"d) signi%icantl( restricted access t"ha$eas #etiti"ns.,1AED!A is the %ederal death #enalt( statte) designed t"increase e%%icienc( in sentencing and de%ine the sc"#e "% re3iew all"wed t"%ederal c"rts $( minimi*ing the statte "% limitati"ns "% a ha$eas c"r#s#etiti"n t" "nl( "ne (ear) s$0ect t" a %ew e4ce#ti"ns.,6The strict statte "%limitati"ns %"r ha$eas claims has initiated %ndamental disagreements

F$etween the %ederal circit c"rts "3er the 5#reme C"rts e-ita$leath"rit( "3er the ha$eas writ) as well as the related Lactal inn"cence

'8 . SeeR"ss 3. Berghis) /'8 7.d 11,) 116 . R"ss d"es n"t

arge that he did n"t c"mmit the acts gi3ing rise t" his c"n3icti"n.&%d.'; . SeeRoss) /'8 7.d at 116?18 .,: . 5chl# 3. Del") 1' U.5. ,=;) ,, .,' . Sawyer) 1:1 U.5. at /') 1:. The #etiti"ner mst sh"w $( clear and

c"n3incing e3idence that $t %"r c"nstitti"nal err"r at his sentencing hearing) n" reas"na$le

0r"r w"ld ha3e %"nd him eligi$le %"r the death #enalt( nder Fstate law.&%d.,, . See ee@"3ars+()Death %neligibility and 0abeas $or#us) =1 CORNE

. RE. ,=) :?'


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1/ $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8laws that "%ten determine the "tc"me "% %ederal ha$eas litigati"n.&,8

Im#"rtantl() the C"rts standards %"r actal inn"cence& claims wereesta$lished #ri"r t" the #assage "% AED!A) and the se3ere restricti"n t" thestatte "% limitati"ns raises -esti"ns a$"t a c"rts ath"rit( t" grant thewrit when a claim is time $arred.,;

This N"te addresses tw" nsettled -esti"ns "% law. 7irst) whether anactal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n e4ists at all in the ha$eas c"nte4t) and i% s"whether sch an e4ce#ti"n c"nstittes an e4tra"rdinar( circmstance andcan ths $e heard "tside "% the AED!A statte "% limitati"ns. 5ec"nd)whether death ineligi$ilit( is actal inn"cence& as a##lied t" AED!Aha$eas #etiti"ns and is there$( a$le t" e-ita$l( t"ll "r -ali%( as ane4ce#ti"n t" the statte "% limitati"ns in a sccessi3e #etiti"n.

This N"te will #resent tw" #rimar( argments2


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16 $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8O3er the (ears "% this a$se "% the writ) the Jdiciar( had created

hrdles t" #re3ent needless "r a$si3e litigati"n) and C"ngress acted t"restrict access t" a$si3e claims.8As a reslt) three t(#es "% "$stacles t"ha3ing a sec"nd "r sccessi3e ha$eas #etiti"n heard e4isted #ri"r t"AED!A.; 7irst) a sccessi3e #etiti"n& raises gr"nds identical t" th"seraised and re0ected "n the merits "% a #ri"r #etiti"n. =5ec"nd) an a$se "%the writ& "ccrs when a #etiti"ner raises isses that were #re3i"sl(

a3aila$le $t n"t menti"ned in a #ri"r #etiti"n. /:7inall() a #r"cedrall(de%alted& claim ta+es #lace when the #etiti"ner %ails t" e4hast all stateremedies #ri"r t" %iling a ha$eas #etiti"n./'

The a$se "% the writ d"ctrine de%ines the circmstances in which%ederal c"rts decline t" entertain a claim #resented %"r the %irst time in a

sec"nd "r s$se-ent #etiti"n %"r a writ "% ha$eas c"r#s.& /,The d"ctrineis aimed at e4acting %inalit( in criminal cases) /and re-ires the dismissal"% a #etiti"n which sccessi3el( re#eats claims #re3i"sl( decided "n themerits) "r a$si3el( asserts a new gr"nd n0sti%ia$l( "mitted %r"m a #ri"r#etiti"n.// A ha$eas #etiti"ners c"ndct is ths e4amined $( as+ing

whether Fthe #etiti"ner #"ssessed) "r $( reas"na$le means c"ld ha3e"$tained) a s%%icient $asis t" allege a claim in the %irst #etiti"n and #rsethe matter thr"gh the ha$eas #r"cess.&/1

In #re?AED!A anal(sis) the 5#reme C"rt determined that a#etiti"ners %ailre t" raise all "% his claims in "ne #etiti"n c"ld "nl( $e"3erc"me $( a sh"wing "% case& and #re0dice.&/6 H"we3er) i% a#etiti"ner c"ld n"t sh"w case) the %ailre t" raise a claim in an earlier

8 . See id.; . Original ha$eas #etiti"ns e4isted t" test the legalit( "% E4ecti3e

detenti"n) and later t" re3iew the c"nstitti"nalit( "% #r"ceedings leading t" c"n3icti"n. See

Shlu#) 1' U.5. at '8?'; see alsoSawyer) 1:1 U.5. at ;

.= . SeeSawyer) 1:1 U.5. at ; ./: . SeeMcCles+( 3. ant) /== U.5. /68) /;=?=: ./' . SeeMurray) /88 U.5. at /;;?;=


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,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 18#etiti"n c"ld $e e4csed i% the #etiti"ner c"ld sh"w that a %ndamentalmiscarriage "% 0stice& w"ld reslt %r"m a %ailre t" entertain the claim. /8

T" sh"w #re0dice necessar( t" #re3ent a dismissal "% a sccessi3e ha$eas#etiti"n nder the #re?AED!A a$se "% writ standard) the #etiti"ner mstdem"nstrate Ln"t merel( that the err"r at his trial created a #ossibility "%#re0dice) $t that the( w"r+ed t" his atualand s$stantial disad3antage)in%ecting his entire trial with an err"r "% c"nstitti"nal

dimensi"ns.&/;Acc"rdingl() nder #re?AED!A anal(sis) %ederal c"rtsstill retained ath"rit( t" grant a writ "% ha$eas c"r#s) des#ite a#etiti"ners %ailre t" dem"nstrate case and #re0dice) in e4tra"rdinar(instances when a c"nstitti"nal 3i"lati"n has led t" the c"n3icti"n "% aninn"cent #ers"n./=

,. E-ita$le t"lling and actal inn"cence

One a3ene %"r e4csing late ha$eas #etiti"ns is a d"ctrine where$( ac"rt will e-ita$l( t"ll the statte "% limitati"ns.1: The d"ctrine "%e-ita$le t"lling all"ws a c"rt t" t"ll a statt"r( deadline when a rigid

a##licati"n "% the time limitati"n w"ld $e %ndamentall( n%air.1' AL#etiti"ner is Lentitled t" e-ita$le t"lling "nl( i% he sh"ws L.1, . 0olland ) ': 5. Ct. at ,16,


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1; $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8c"l"ra$le claim "% %actal inn"cence&11 and a##lies t" inn"cence "% thenderl(ing crime16"r inn"cence "% the death #enalt(.18

Claims "% actal inn"cence arise in ha$eas #r"ceedings in tw" main

wa(s. 7irst) #ris"ners can assert a Ls$stanti3e inn"cence claim nder the7i%th) Eighth) "r 7"rteenth Amendments.&1;The essence "% a s$stanti3einn"cence claim is that the #etiti"ner claims he did n"t c"mmit the crime hewas c"n3icted "%.1=Ths) a remed( e4ists %"r claiming %actal inn"cence "%the crime. The sec"nd t(#e "% actal inn"cence claim is +n"wn as agatewa(& claim.6: In gatewa( claims) the #ris"ner asserts actalinn"cence in "rder t" "$tain re3iew "% a #r"cedrall( de%alted ha$eas#etiti"n.&6'Here) ha$eas claims are $ased n"t "n his inn"cence) $t rather"n Fthe c"ntenti"n that Fa c"nstitti"nal 3i"lati"n . . . denied Fhim the %ll

#an"#l( "% #r"tecti"ns a%%"rded t" criminal de%endants $( theC"nstitti"n.&6, The traditi"nal nderstanding "% actal inn"cence claimsall"wed a ha$eas claim s" l"ng as a #etiti"ner met the re-ired a$se "% thewrit standard) at an( time.6A series "% cases articlate the di%%erences$etween claiming inn"cence "% the death #enalt()6/and %actal inn"cence

"% the nderl(ing crime %r"m an err"r %ree trial)61 and %actal inn"cenceal"ng with a c"nstitti"nal 3i"lati"n.66

Sawyer -. Whitley is illstrati3e "% the traditi"nal nderstanding "%claiming legal inn"cence "% the death #enalt(.68 The 5#reme C"rtesta$lished that there are three determinati"ns %"r #h"lding a ca#ital

11 . %d.at /1/.16 . Sawyer ) 1:1 U.5. at /: .18 . %d.at /8.1; . %d.at 8''.1= . %d. at 8'6.6: . %d.at 8''.6' . Nels"n)su#ran"te ') at 8''.6, . Shlu#) 1' U.5. at '/.6 . See generallyuhlmann) /88 U.5. at /1:?1' .6/ . Sawyer ) 1:1 U.5. at /1?/; .61 . 0errera) 1:6 U.5. at /:/


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6: $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8and the 5#reme C"rt ad"#ted the $arrier?standard %"r determiningwhether a #ris"ner ma( #ass thr"gh the actal inn"cence gatewa(. 8=TheC"rt %"nd that2

5chl#s claim ths di%%ers in at least tw" im#"rtant wa(s %r"m that

#resented in 0errera. 7irst) 5chl#s claim "% inn"cence d"es n"t $(itsel% #r"3ide a $asis %"r relie%. . . . 5chl#s claim "% inn"cence is ths

n"t itsel% a c"nstitti"nal claim) $t instead a gatewa( thr"gh which a

ha$eas #etiti"ner mst #ass t" ha3e his "therwise $arred c"nstitti"nal

claim c"nsidered "n the merits.&;:

The C"rt held that in "rder t" esta$lish actal inn"cence) the de%endantmst dem"nstrate that in light "% new e3idence) n" 0r"r) actingreas"na$l() w"ld ha3e 3"ted t" %ind him gilt( $e("nd a reas"na$led"$t.&;'

It is im#"rtant t" a##reciate the di%%erence $etween Sawyerclaims andShlu#claims in "rder t" nderstand h"w AED!A acts t" restrict access t"actal inn"cence claims. The C"rt has #rescri$ed a higher $rden "% #r""%

%"r esta$lishing legal inn"cence as "##"sed t" %actal inn"cence %r"m ac"nstitti"nall( de%ecti3e trial.;, C"m#"nding the di%%iclt( im#"sed $(the stee# $rden "% #r""%) C"ngress has made e%%"rts t" restrict access t"ha$eas re3iew "% a sentence.;Related t" the increasing di%%iclt( t" accessha$eas) the 5#reme C"rt has #laced a$s"lte c"nstitti"nall( $ased

#r"hi$iti"ns "n s$0ecting certain categ"ries "% indi3idals t" the death#enalt(.;/Death is di%%erent)&;1and as sch a claim "% legal inn"cence $(3irte "% a categ"rical e4clsi"n sh"ld recei3e di%%erent anal(ticalc"nsiderati"n in the ha$eas c"nte4t than related %actal inn"cence claims.;6

8= . Shlu#) 1' U.5. at '?'1 . The

$arrierstandard re-ires the ha$eas #etiti"ner t" sh"w that La c"nstitti"nal 3i"lati"n has

#r"$a$l( reslted in the c"n3icti"n "% "ne wh" is actall( inn"cent. . . . The #etiti"ner mstsh"w that it is m"re li+el( than n"t that n" reas"na$le 0r"r w"ld ha3e c"n3icted him in the

light "% the new e3idence.&;: . %d.at '1 .; . illiams 3. Ta(l"r) 1,= U.5. 6,) ;8 n.'/ . AED!A created

s$stantial changes $( strictl( limiting sec"nd "r sccessi3e ha$eas #etiti"ns and the "ne

(ear statte "% limitati"ns %"r "riginal ha$eas #etiti"ns.%d.;/ . See/ e.g.)Ro#er) 1/ U.5. at 18;


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,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 6'B. AED!As 5tatte "% imitati"ns and 5tatt"r( E4ce#ti"ns

The ma0"rit( "% AED!A is designed t" #r"3ide %ederal law en%"rcementwith increased #"wers t" c"n%r"nt %"reign and d"mestic terr"rism in thea%termath "% the O+lah"ma Cit( $"m$ing.&;8AED!A c"ntains #r"3isi"ns

restricting ha$eas c"r#s) which are s"me "% the m"st c"ntr"3ersialas#ects "% AED!A.&;; It has $een rec"gni*ed $( the 5#reme C"rt as%rthering the #rinci#les "% c"mit() %inalit() and %ederalism&;= and t"redce dela(s in the e4ecti"n "% state and %ederal criminal sentences)#articlarl( in ca#ital cases.&=:

AED!A created a %ew statt"r( "$stacles %"r a #etiti"ner see+ing ha$eas

relie% in %ederal c"rt. It esta$lished) %"r the %irst time) a statte "%limitati"ns %"r ha$eas #etiti"ns %r"m a state c"rt 0dgment. ='7rther) it$ars re?litigati"n "% an( claim ad0dicated "n the merits in state c"rt)s$0ect "nl( t" s#eci%ic statt"r( e4ce#ti"ns.=,It als" c"di%ied the clearl(esta$lished law& re-irement %r"m #re?AED!A cases) meaning that aha$eas #etiti"ner cann"t rel( "n a rle "% %ederal law that has n"t $een

ann"nced $e%"re a c"n3icti"n $ec"mes %inal.=

7inall() regarding sec"nd"r sccessi3e ha$eas #etiti"ns) AED!A c"di%ied the c"mm"n law ha$eas#etiti"n #r"cedre) +n"wn as a$se "% the writ& d"ctrine.=/

In "3erc"ming the $ar t" a ha$eas #etiti"n im#"sed $( the a$se "% thewrit d"ctrine) the C"rt has %"nd that e3en a str"ng case %"r relie% d"esn"t mean the state c"rts c"ntrar( c"nclsi"n was nreas"na$le.&=1

7rther) AED!A st"#s sh"rt "% im#"sing a c"m#lete $ar "n %ederal c"rtrelitigati"n "% claims alread( re0ected in state #r"ceedings.& =6 The "nce

e3er?a3aila$le ha$eas claim #reser3ed a challenge t" the legitimac( "% a

Barrett ain)Deiding Death) 18 [email protected]. ') 8;?;' .;8 . @a##ler)su#ra n"te ,1) at /6=.;;

. %d.;= . Dncan 3. al+er) 1 U.5. '68) '8; see also

,; U.5.C. ,,1/.=1 . 0arrington) '' 5. Ct. at 8;6


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6, $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8c"n3icti"n)=8$t the standard "% actal inn"cence that sh"ld a##l( t" atime?$arred ha$eas claim . . . remains an "#en -esti"n "% law.&=;

III. CATE9ORICAECU5ION5ANDTHEEI9HTHAMENDMENT

AED!As dramatic redcti"n in the a3aila$ilit( "% ha$eas #etiti"ns hascalled int" -esti"n what circmstances 0sti%( a c"rts grant "% the writ.==

hile the 5#reme C"rt has created categ"rical $ars t" the death #enalt(r""ted in c"nstitti"nal #rinci#les) de%initi"ns "% "%%enders within th"se

categ"rical $ars ha3e largel( $een le%t t" the states.':: 7rther) the C"rthas said) I%) a%ter care%ll( weighing all the reas"ns %"r acce#ting a statec"rts 0dgment) a %ederal c"rt is c"n3inced that a #ris"ners cst"d("r)as in this case) his sentence "% deathP3i"lates the C"nstitti"n) thatinde#endent 0dgment sh"ld #re3ail.&':' H"we3er) AED!As clearl(esta$lished law& re-irement':,and intenti"n t" create greater de%erence t"a state c"rts 0dgment': ha3e called int" -esti"n what is meant $(clearl( esta$lished law.& 7rther) the strict de%erence t" state c"rt0dgments #r"3ided $( AED!A raises isses "% %ederalism and the r"le "% a

%ederal c"rt in ensring state laws are in acc"rd with the %ndamentalre-irements "% the 7ederal C"nstitti"n. A re3iew "% the e3"l3ingstandard "% decenc(& 0ris#rdence is necessar( t" nderstand the resltantdi3isi"n in a##licati"n "% the actal inn"cence d"ctrine nder AED!A.

A. E3"l3ing 5tandards "% Decenc( and Categ"rical E4clsi"ns

The #r"hi$iti"n "% crel and nsal #nishment $( the EighthAmendment':/ is am"r#h"s)':1 and has $een inter#reted t" re%lect thee3"l3ing standards "% decenc( that mar+ the #r"gress "% a matrings"ciet(.&':6This #hil"s"#h( has $een a##lied "3er the #ast se3eral decades

and has $ec"me +n"wn as the e3"l3ing standards "% decenc(& standard)which has $een sed t" create categ"rical rles t" de%ine Eighth

=8 . Blme)su#ran"te /=) at ,;; .=; . Brand"n 5egal) 0abeas $or#us/ E;uitable Tolling/ and (ED(s

Statute o! 'imitations: Why the 5chl# 3. Del""ateway Standard !or $laims o! (tual

%nnoene Fails to (lle-iate the Flight o! Wrong!ully $on-ited (merians) ' U. HA. .

RE. ,,1) ,/' .== . 0olland )': 5. Ct. at ,16,


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,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 6Amendment standards.&':8hile e3"l3ing standards "% decenc( can createcateg"rical rles %"r $"th "%%enses and "%%enders)':;this N"te is c"ncernedwith Eighth Amendment categ"rical e4clsi"n %r"m the death #enalt($ased #"n characteristics "% the "%%ender.&':=

The C"rt has esta$lished an a##r"ach t" determining categ"ricalrles.'':7irst) the C"rt c"nsiders L"$0ecti3e indicia "% s"ciet(s standards)as e4#ressed in legislati3e enactments and state #ractice t" determinewhether there is a nati"nal c"nsenss against the sentencing #ractice atisse.&''' 5ec"nd) the C"rt e4ercises a s$0ecti3e assessment "% thestandards ela$"rated $( c"ntr"lling #recedents& and inter#retati"n "% theEighth Amendments te4t) hist"r() meaning) and #r#"se&'', t" %indwhether the #nishment in -esti"n 3i"lates the C"nstitti"n.&''

It is im#"rtant t" a##reciate that a ha$eas #etiti"ner claiming inn"cence"% the death #enalt( is n"t necessaril( claiming inn"cence "% the nderl(ingcrime) $t that certain #nishments as a##lied t" gr"#s "% indi3idals3i"late c"nstitti"nal #r"hi$iti"ns.''/5imilarl() %ederal ha$eas c"rts sit t"ensre that indi3idals are n"t im#ris"ned in 3i"lati"n "% the C"nstitti"n

Pn"t t" c"rrect err"rs "% %act.&''1Herein lies the isse2 a ha$eas #etiti"n$ased "n a claim "% actal inn"cence "% the death #enalt( de t" e3"l3ingstandards "% decenc( in3"l3es $"th C"nstitti"nal''6 and %actaldeterminati"ns.''8 The three esta$lished areas "% categ"rical e4clsi"ns

':8 . "raham) ': 5. Ct. at ,:,,.':; . See id.':= . See/ e.g.)Ro#er) 1/ U.5. at 18;

(tkins) 16 U.5. at ,'


14/30

6/ $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8deri3ed %r"m e3"l3ing standards "% decenc( are %"r insane)&'';03enile)''=

and intellectall( disa$led #etiti"ners.',:

'. J3enile #etiti"ners

In '=;;) the 5#reme C"rt declared that 03eniles nder si4teen werecateg"ricall( ineligi$le %"r the death #enalt(.',' In Ro#er -. Simmons) theC"rt e4tended the h"lding in Thom#son -. *klahoma and%"nd that thee4ecti"n "% #ris"ners nder eighteen at the time "% the "%%ense c"nstittes

crel and nsal #nishment)',,there$( e4tending the sc"#e "% #r"tecti"na%%"rded t" 03enile "%%enders as a class) categ"ricall( e4clding them %r"mca#ital #nishment.',

7rther) the 5#reme C"rt has created a categ"rical e4clsi"n %"r a#articlar sentence) li%e in #ris"n with"t #ar"le %"r a n"n?h"micide03enile "%%ender)',/ which has "#ened the d""r t"ward a #ath "%

indi3idali*ed determinati"ns regarding the de%initi"n "% 03enile stats. ',1

Indeed) the C"rt has ac+n"wledged that Fthe -alities that distingish03eniles %r"m adlts d" n"t disa##ear when an indi3idal trns ';& andF$( the same t"+en) s"me nder '; ha3e alread( reached a le3el "%matrit( s"me adlts will ne3er reach.&',6 Ths) m"dern case law hasrec"gni*ed the "3erla# "% diminished cl#a$ilit( de t" nderde3el"#edc"gniti3e %ncti"ning inherent in $"th 03enile and intellectall( disa$ledindi3idals.',8

''; . !anetti 3. arterman) 11' U.5. =:) =/ . Ford claims are ni-e am"ng ineligi$ilit(

argments in that the( are ha$eas relie% isses $ased "nl( "n a #ris"ners stats at the time

"% a #"tential e4ecti"n) n"t at the time the crime was c"mmitted.Ford) /88 U.5. at /,1 n.1.

De t" this distingishing %eatre in categ"rical e4clsi"n claims this N"te will n"t address

Fordclaims.''= . Ro#er ) 1/ U.5. at 18,.',: . (tkins) 16 U.5. at '8?';.',' . Th"m#s"n 3. O+lah"ma) /;8 U.5. ;'1) ;; .',6 . Ro#er ) 1/ U.5. at 18/.',8 . "raham) ': 5. Ct. at ,:,8 Ro#er) 1/ U.5. at 16=


15/30

,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 61,. Intellectall( disa$led #etiti"ners

Under(tkins -. &irginia) the Eighth Amendment #r"hi$its a #etiti"nerse4ecti"n $ecase he is intellectall( disa$led) ths inherentl( lac+ing thecl#a$ilit( re-ired %"r im#"siti"n "% the death #enalt(. ',; hile (tkins

articlated that intellectall( disa$led indi3idals are ineligi$le %"r thedeath #enalt() the C"rt le%t t" the states discreti"n in de%ining a -ali%(ingintellectal disa$ilit(.',= In de%ining intellectal disa$ilit() (tkins relied#rimaril( "n clinical %"rmlati"ns sed $( the American Ass"ciati"n "%Mental Retardati"n and the American !s(chiatric Ass"ciati"n.':

A ca#ital de%endant see+ing t" esta$lish ineligi$ilit( %"r the death#enalt( $ecase "% intellectal disa$ilit( is n"t necessaril( $ringing a#r"cedral challenge)'' $t is instead challenging a s$stanti3e#rere-isite %"r the im#"siti"n "% the death #enalt(.',The 5#reme C"rthas n"ted that intellectall( disa$led indi3idals are s$stanti3el( and thscateg"ricall( ineligi$le %"r the death #enalt( de t" an inherent lac+ "%

cl#a$ilit(.'

In assessing the three determinati"ns %"r #h"lding a ca#italsentence)'/a sh"wing that a #etiti"ner is ineligi$le %"r ca#ital #nishmentis a+in t" sh"wing e4"nerating DNA e3idence2 $"th #etiti"ners w"ld $e

wh"ll( ineligi$le %"r ca#ital #nishment. A categ"ricall( ineligi$le#etiti"ner raising a ha$eas challenge t" ca#ital #nishment in this c"nte4t isths ma+ing a s$stanti3e actal inn"cence& claim that the state lawdeterminati"n "% eligi$ilit( and s$se-ent im#"siti"n "% the death #enalt(is in 3i"lati"n "% his c"nstitti"nal rights) and there%"re s%%icient t" t"ll thestatte "% limitati"ns.'1As the 5#reme C"rt has said) the categ"ricall(ineligi$le indi3idal has ins%%icient cl#a$ilit( %"r ca#ital sentencing)there$( ha3ing ins%%icient gilt) similar t" e4"nerating DNA e3idence t"

',;

. (tkins) 16 U.5. at '8?,'.',= . %d. at '8 see also J. Am( Dillard) (nd Death Shall 0a-e )o

Dominion: 0ow to (hie-e the $ategorial E,em#tion o! Mentally Retarded De!endants

!rom E,eution) /1 U. RICH. . RE. =6') =81


16/30

66 $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8im#"se the death #enalt(.'6

Ths) what we see is a categ"rical e4clsi"n %"r 03eniles nder the age"% eighteen)'8intellectall( disa$led indi3idals)';and li%e with"t #ar"le

%"r n"nh"micide "%%enses $( 03eniles.'=The C"rt has created categ"rical$ars %"r #enalties as a##lied t" classes "% #e"#le) and generall( le%tde%initi"ns "% th"se classes t" the se3eral states.'/:H"we3er) as we see in(tkins) the states de%initi"n is n"t alwa(s satis%act"r(. '/'Ths) the issewith AED!As stringent de%erence t" state c"rt 0dgments and clearl(esta$lished law $ec"mes #r"$lematic %"r ha$eas #etiti"ners.'/,The natre"% the e3"l3ing standards "% decenc( d"ctrine is e3ident in the name "% thed"ctrine it e3"l3es t" de%ine the re-irements "% the Eighth Amendment.'/

T" #resent a sccess%l actal inn"cence& claim) the #etiti"ner w"ldneed t" #resent e3idence that dem"nstrates an (tkinsclaim) which was n"t#resented in the c"rts $el"w. hile rare) these instances d" ha##en.'//Inlight "% the recent 0dicial e4clsi"ns %r"m the death #enalt() and thec"m#le4 natre "% ha$eas #etiti"ns) a circit s#lit has arisen regarding thea##lica$ilit( "% the actal inn"cence claims t" the AED!A statte "%

limitati"ns.

I. THECIRCUIT5!IT

hether death ineligi$ilit( can $e c"nsidered actal inn"cence asa##lied t" AED!A ha$eas #etiti"ns is the last in a series "% "#en -esti"ns"% law. The %irst "#en -esti"n was recentl( res"l3ed when the 5#remeC"rt held that the AED!A statte "% limitati"ns is s$0ect t" e-ita$let"lling)'/1 and c"mmented that the statte "% limitati"ns reads li+e an"rdinar() rn?"%?the?mill statte "% limitati"ns.&'/65till lingering are tw"

'6 . See (tkins) 16 U.5. at '= "raham) ': 5. Ct. at ,:,6?,8.'8 . Ro#er ) 1/ U.5. at 18/.'; . (tkins) 16 U.5. at '=.'= . %d.'/: . %d.at '8.'/' . "raham) ': 5. Ct. at ,:' .'/, . Seesu#ran"tes ='?=; and acc"m#an(ing te4t.'/ . See/ e.g.)Ro#er) 1/ U.5. at 16' .'// . See/ e.g.) Brie% %"r !etiti"ner at Q/) Q':) e$ster 3. United 5tates) '' 5.

Ct. 8=/


17/30


18/30

6; $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8#re3i"sl( raise the claim and #re0dice& i% the claim is n"t heard.'1

The AED!A statte "% limitati"ns has $een %"nd t" $e s$0ect t"e-ita$le t"lling'1/ %"r nmer"s reas"ns.'11 O%ten) the e4tra"rdinar(

circmstances& test is sed t" determine i% the de%endant is entitled t"e-ita$le t"lling)'16meaning that a c"rt can e-ita$l( t"ll the AED!Astatte when the de%endant #resents2 5mith 3. Mc9innis) ,:; 7.d ') '8 Miller 3. N.J. 5tate De#t "%

C"rrs.) '/1 7.d 6'6) 6';


19/30

,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 6=limitati"ns.'6,

Re%sing t" e-ita$l( t"ll the statte) the 7"rth Circit stated that isses"% the merits "% the #etiti"n) the length "% the dela() "r the #resence "% a

ca#ital sentence when deciding t" e-ita$l( t"ll the statte "% limitati"nssh"ld $e dealt with a%ter the a##licati"n "% the AED!A limitati"ns#eri"d.&'6 The c"rt l""+ed t" the reas"ns %"r dela( and %"nd thatmiscalclati"n "% the statte "% limitati"ns d"es n"t c"nstitte e4tra"rdinar(circmstances as a matter "% law.'6/The c"rt reas"ned that a##l(ing ane-ita$le t"lling anal(sis w"ld $e a 0dicial s$3ersi"n& "%C"ngressi"nal intent "% the AED!A statte "% limitati"ns and w"ldndermine L#rinci#les "% c"mit() %inalit() and %ederalism.&'61

The 7i%th Circit als" a##lied a strict inter#retati"n "% the e-ita$let"lling d"ctrine.'66 !etiti"ner $r"ght an (tkinsclaim a%ter the statte "%limitati"ns had rn)'68 claiming that Sawyer directed that irres#ecti3e "%e-ita$le t"lling) the c"rt mst address the merits "% his mental retardati"nclaim $ecase %ailing t" d" s" w"ld c"nstitte a %ndamental miscarriage"% 0stice.&'6; Citing the Eighth and Ninth Circits) the 7i%th Circit

decided that there is n"t Lan actal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n that ser3es as agatewa( thr"gh the AED!A statte "% limitati"ns t" the merits "% a#etiti"ners claims.&'6=

The Eighth Circit has als" re0ected a claim that inn"cence sh"ld t"llAED!As statte "% limitati"ns) %inding that t" d" "therwise w"ld ta+ethe e-ita$le?t"lling d"ctrine %ar %r"m its "riginal and legitimate

rati"nale.&'8: TheFlandersc"rt n"ted that #"rti"ns "% AED!A #artiall(c"di%( actal inn"cence d"ctrines) and stated) It is "r dt( t" a##l(stattes as written.&'8'Essentiall() the Eighth Circit %"nd that $ecaseC"ngress inclded the actal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n in s"me #r"3isi"ns) thee4clsi"n "% the e4ce#ti"n in "ther #r"3isi"ns was an intenti"nal "missi"n)re-iring 0dicial de%erence t" statt"r( c"nstrcti"n.'8, H"we3er) the

Eighth Circit did n"t %"recl"se the actal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n c"m#letel()and stated "nl( that the #resent %acts did n"t #resent a s%%icient sh"wing t"grant the e4ce#ti"n.'8

'6, . %d.at ,1/?11.'6 . %d.at ,1/.'6/ . %d.at ,1.'61 . %d.at ,16 .'66 . SeeHenders"n 3. Thaler) 6,6 7.d 88) 8;: >.'6= . %d.at 8;:


20/30

8: $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8,. !ermissi3e 3iew "% the statte "% limitati"ns

5"me circits a##reciate the %inalit( "% ca#ital #nishment andc"ntem#late the gra3it( "% the sentence when a##l(ing the statte "%limitati"ns. The Third Circit t""+ a $r"ader a##r"ach and rec"gni*ed the

ca#ital natre "% the case t" e-ita$l( t"ll AED!A) all"wing c"nsiderati"n"% an "therwise ntimel( ha$eas #etiti"n.'8/The c"rt n"ted2

I% the limitati"n #eri"d is n"t t"lled in this case) 7ah( will $e denied all

%ederal re3iew "% his claims. Here the #enalt( is death) and c"rts mst

c"nsider the e3er?changing c"m#le4ities "% the rele3ant #r"3isi"ns 7ah(

attem#ted t" na3igate. Becase the c"nse-ences are s" gra3e and the

a##lica$le law is s" c"n%"nding and nsettled) we mst all"w less than

e4tra"rdinar(& circmstances t" trigger e-ita$le t"lling "% the

AED!As statte "% limitati"ns when a #etiti"ner has $een diligent in

asserting his "r her claims and rigid a##licati"n "% the statte w"ld $e

n%air.'81

B( declining t" a##l( the e4tra"rdinar( circmstances test) the Fahy

c"rt rec"gni*ed that the irre3"ca$ilit( "% a death sentence re-iredadditi"nal #r"cedral sa%egards. The c"nse-ence %"r #r"cedral err"rsc"mmitted nder inhi$iti3el( "#a-e& "r nclear& law was c"nsideredt"" high t" den( additi"nal re3iew.'86Instead) the Third Circit held thatca#ital de%endants wh" diligentl( and reas"na$l( #rse their claims ma(see+ relie% thr"gh the ha$eas mechanism.'88

The Ninth Circit leans t"ward granting greater lenienc( t" ca#italde%endants in claims %"r e-ita$le t"lling.'8; Alth"gh the Ninth Circitn"minall( a##lies an e4tra"rdinar( circmstances test in all re-ests %"re-ita$le t"lling regardless "% the sentence im#"sed) the standards are m"rerela4ed in a##licati"n %"r ca#ital cases.&'8=7"r e4am#le) att"rne( err"r thatw"ld n"t "rdinaril( rise t" the le3el "% e4tra"rdinar( circmstances can

trigger e-ita$le t"lling in ca#ital cases.';:H"we3er) there a##ears t" $edi3isi"n within the Ninth Circit as t" whether an actal inn"cencee4ce#ti"n e4ists that w"ld t"ll "r e4ce#t the AED!A statte "%limitati"ns.';'

'8/ . SeeFahy) ,/: 7.d at ,/1.'81 . %d.'86 . %d.'88 . %d.'8; . SeeCalder"n 3. United 5tates D.C.D. "% Cal.) '6 7.d 1:) 1/'


21/30

,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 8'B. Categ"rical E4clsi"n as Actal Inn"cence

I% a c"rt will e-ita$l( t"ll the statte "% limitati"ns t" entertain anactal inn"cence #etiti"n "r all"w an actal inn"cence claim as a #ree4ce#ti"n) the ne4t -esti"n is whether a categ"rical e4clsi"n -ali%ies as

actal inn"cence nder the actall( inn"cent& m$rella.';,

I% s") the claimcan #r"ceed t" the merits as a challenge t" the im#"sed sentence) ';and i%n"t) the claim will $e denied and the statte "% limitati"ns n"t t"lled.';/

'. The circits are di3ided "n whether a sh"wing "% actalinn"cence is gr"nds %"r e-ita$le t"lling

The Ele3enth Circit adheres t" the inter#retati"n that C"ngress se "%the w"rd "%%ense& is di%%erent %r"m sentence)& and #lainl( e4cldes) "r$ars) ha$eas challenges t" sentences) inclding death sentences.';1 TheEle3enth Circit has n"ted that the actal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n a##lies"nl( t" claims g"ing t" the -esti"n "% whether "r n"t the a##licant is

Lgilt( "% the nderl(ing "%%ensePn"t t" claims related t" sentence.& ';6In

%n re Jones) the #etiti"ner had alleged a c"nstitti"nal claim in regards t"his sentence)';8and the c"rt n"ted that actal inn"cence claims "nl( a##l(t" challenges against the nderl(ing "%%ense) n"t legal s%%icienc( "% thesentence im#"sed.';;

The 5e3enth Circit has es#"sed a similar 3iew.';= The #etiti"ner in

3urris -. arke s"ght sccessi3e ha$eas relie% claiming that a $rain in0r(%r"m a $llet w"nd rendered him categ"ricall( ineligi$le %"r ca#ital

#etiti"n %"r ha$eas c"r#s relie%.&>) withee 3. am#ert) 61 7.d =,=) =,

.';,

. $om#are%n re ewis) /;/ 7.d 8=) 8=; n.,: ) withUnited 5tates 3. n"?Arce) ,1 7. 5##. ,d ':;8) '':: .';/ . %n re 'ewis)/;/ 7.d at 8=; n.,:.';1 . See%n reJ"nes) '8 7.d ',8') ',8/ .';6 . %n reJones) '8 7.d at ',8/ .';; . %d.at ',8/.';= . Brris 3. !ar+e) ': 7.d 8;,) 8;1


22/30

8, $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8#nishment) a+in t" the(tkinsline "% cases.'=:The c"rt denied the claim)stating that the same claim was #resented "n a##eal in an earlier ha$eas#r"ceeding) that the e3idence did n"t sh"w that the #etiti"ner was actall(inn"cent) and that the argments c"ncerned "nl( his sentence) n"t his gilt"% the nderl(ing "%%ense.'=' The c"rt %rther n"ted that Fwhat aner"#s(ch"l"gist might trn # t"da( is irrele3ant& $ecase e3en i% thenew e3idence s##"rted the #r"#"siti"n "% ineligi$ilit() Fall this

means . . . is that Brris wants t" re?litigate) with the aid "% $ettere3idence.&'=,The 5e3enth Circit t""+ the 3iew that new e3idence whichd"es n"t sh"w %actal inn"cence "% the nderl(ing "%%ense) "nl( that thesentence was im#r"#erl( im#"sed) "ght n"t t" $e $r"ght "n a sccessi3eha$eas #etiti"n.'=

Jdge Cdah( dissented) addressing the di%%erence $etween anim#ris"nment sentence and a ca#ital sentence.'=/Jdge Cdah( n"ted that$rain de%icits can im#air c"gniti3e %ncti"ning) sggesting that a lac+ "%intellectal %ncti"ning w"ld $e s%%icient gr"nds t" grant a ha$eas#etiti"n t" in3estigate the asserted %acts in a ca#ital case.'=1

ater) the 5e3enth Circit rec"gni*ed the emerging di3isi"n am"ng thecircits.'=6 The c"rt n"ted) The assm#ti"n nderl(ing F#etiti"nersa##eal is that his #etiti"n d"es n"t c"m%"rta$l( %all within an( "% thestatt"r( "r e-ita$le #rinci#les.&'=8 The c"rt assessed $"th sides "% theargment) n"ting) The 5tate c"ntends that Fthe #etiti"ners Lactalinn"cence claim mst L$( de%alt . . . %all within the e-ita$le t"llingcam#.& On the "ther hand2

FI% actal inn"cence is n"t a %reestanding e4ce#ti"n his case w"ld

m"st cl"sel( %all within the statt"r( #r"3isi"n in ,,//


23/30


24/30

8/ $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8acc"mm"dati"n. e $elie3e) there%"re) that an( res"rt t" e-it( mst $e

reser3ed %"r th"se rare instances wherePde t" circmstances e4ternal

t" the #art(s "wn c"ndctPit w"ld $e nc"nsci"na$le t" en%"rce the

limitati"n #eri"d against the #art( and gr"ss in0stice w"ld reslt.,:8

7rther) the Third Circit has n"t decided the isse s#eci%icall( inre%erence t" categ"rical e4clsi"ns) $t in dicta has %a3"red a $r"ader "3er

a narr"wer inter#retati"n.,:;The Tenth Circit has declined ths %ar t"decide the isse "% whether categ"rical e4clsi"ns can $e inclded withinan actal inn"cence claim.,:=

The Ninth Circit n"ted that it c"ld entertain a #etiti"ners categ"ricale4clsi"n claim) e3en th"gh it c"nclded that the #etiti"ner had n"t

esta$lished actal inn"cence.,':The Ninth Circit has n"ted that the #hrasegilt( "% the nderl(ing "%%ense& did n"t enc"m#ass a c"nstitti"nal claimthat #etiti"ners c"nsel had inade-atel( #resented.,'' This is c"hesi3ewith later #recedent) in that a c"nstitti"nal gatewa( claim) sch asine%%ecti3e assistance "% c"nsel) w"ld n"t $e rec"gni*ed as a claim "%actal inn"cence.,', As the Ninth Circit ac+n"wledged in Thom#son -.$alderon) there is disagreement am"ng the circits "3er whether actalinn"cence claims c"ld $e heard) and %rther whether the sc"#e "% theLactal inn"cence standard articlated in Sawyerhas $een s#erseded $( a

narr"wer e4ce#ti"n in the AED!A.&,'O% n"te) the Thom#sonc"rt hintedthat nder the langage "% AED!A a c"nstitti"nal 3i"lati"n ma( create anactal inn"cence claim $ecase the langage Lnderl(ing "%%ense in adeath #enalt( case is ca#ital mrder rather than merel( h"micide.&,'/

,. 5"lti"ns t" the circit s#lit

The #articlarl( cm$ers"me and c"n%sing&,'1 termin"l"g( nderAED!A actal inn"cence ha$eas claims has $een a case "% trm"il in the

,:8 . 0arris) ,:= 7.d at : .,:; . Miller ) '/1 7.d at 6';?'=.,:= . a7e3ers 3. 9i$s"n),; 7.d ',6) ',68 9i$s"n 3.

@linger) ,, 7.d 8==) ;:;


25/30

,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 81circits. H"we3er) what has $een rec"gni*ed as a circit s#lit ma( $e lessdi3isi3e than it a##ears.,'6 I% a circit s#lit d"es e4ist) the di3isi"n sh"ld$e res"l3ed in %a3"r "% a c"rt hearing a merit"ri"s categ"rical e4clsi"nclaim nder the actal inn"cence d"ctrine as an e4ce#ti"n t" the AED!Astatte "% limitati"ns.

7irst) 0olland #t t" rest an( d"$t that the AED!A statte "%limitati"ns is s$0ect t" e-ita$le t"lling.,'8H"we3er) the C"rt st"##edsh"rt "% articlating what circmstances w"ld $e s%%icient t" in3"+e thee-ita$le t"lling d"ctrine.,';E3en s") langage %r"m0ollandis sggesti3ethat the standards that a##lied #re?AED!A are still a##lica$le.,'=

7rtherm"re) the C"rts reliance "n #re?AED!A ha$eas cases issggesti3e that #re?AED!A e-ita$le #rinci#les a##l(.,,:7inall() the C"rt

em#hasi*ed the L%le4i$ilit( inherent in Le-ita$le #r"cedre ena$lesc"rts Lt" meet new sitati"ns Fthat demand e-ita$le inter3enti"n) and t"acc"rd all the relie% necessar( t" c"rrect S #articlar in0stices.&,,'

5ec"nd) since AED!A is s$0ect t" e-ita$le t"lling) the ne4t -esti"n iswhat c"nstittes the e4tra"rdinar( circmstances necessar( t" t"ll the

statte "% limitati"ns m"re s#eci%icall() is actal inn"cence s%%icientreas"n t" t"ll the statte "% limitati"ns,,,0ollandinstrcts that e-ita$let"lling is a3aila$le i% a #etiti"ner has $een diligent in #rsit "% their rights)and there were e4tra"rdinar( circmstances that #re3ented timel( %iling.,,

In #re?AED!A anal(sis) e3en i% the #etiti"ner c"ld n"t sh"w case and#re0dice warranting e-ita$le t"lling) a ha$easc"rt ma( still c"nsider the$arred claim in an e4tra"rdinar( case) where a c"nstitti"nal 3i"lati"n has#r"$a$l( reslted in the c"n3icti"n "% "ne wh" is actall( inn"cent.&,,/

Sawyera##lies t" claims "% inn"cence in death #enalt( cases) and as sch

the #etiti"ner w"ld need t" sh"w $( clear and c"n3incing e3idence that)$t %"r a c"nstitti"nal err"r) n" reas"na$le 0r"r w"ld ha3e %"nd the

,'6 . 'ee) 6': 7.d at ''/ .,'; . %d.at ,11 .,,: . See 0olland ) ': 5. Ct at ,16,?61


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86 $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8#etiti"ner eligi$le %"r the death #enalt( nder the a##lica$le state law.&,,1

De t" AED!As g"al "% restricting access t" ha$eas and e4#editing theha$eas #r"cess) se3eral circits ha3e restricted access t" #re?AED!A

e-ita$le t"lling d"ctrines.,,67rther) s"me c"rts ha3e n"ted that $ecaseactal inn"cence standards are inc"r#"rated int" select #r"3isi"ns "%AED!A) C"ngress intenti"nall( "mitted an actal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n%r"m #r"3isi"ns with"t the same "r similar langage. ,,8As t" the latterargment) C"ngress #resma$l( dra%ted AED!A against the $ac+dr"# "%e4isting ha$eas law) as is e3idenced $( inclsi"n "% langage int" certain#r"3isi"ns.,,;Ths) i% C"ngress had desired an a$s"lte $an "n actalinn"cence claims $eing ca#a$le "% e-ita$l( t"lling the statte "%limitati"ns) e4#ress langage c"ld ha3e acc"m#lished this g"al) and

"missi"n "% the langage sh"ld n"t $e read as an intenti"n t" restrictactal inn"cence 0ris#rdence.

Third) the circits a##ear di3ided "n the -esti"n "% whether acateg"rical e4clsi"n w"ld 0sti%( tili*ing the actal inn"cence d"ctrinet" e-ita$l( t"ll "r #r"3ide an e4ce#ti"n t" the AED!A statte "%

limitati"ns. 5"me circits ha3e %"nd that %actal inn"cence w"ld meritt"lling nder the Shlu# and 0errera %actal inn"cence d"ctrine.,,=

N"ta$l() the cr4 "% a categ"rical e4clsi"n is that the nderl(ing#hil"s"#h( "% inade-ate cl#a$ilit( is de t" a characteristic "r traitinherent t" the #ers"n),:and i% mem$ershi# t" a categ"rical e4clsi"n is%actall( %"nd) renders that indi3idal ineligi$le %"r ca#ital sentencing.,'

Ths) circit c"rts sh"ld %ind that newl( disc"3ered e3idence "% acateg"rical e4clsi"n sh"ld #r"3ide the e4tra"rdinar( circmstancere-ired t" hear a Sawyerclaim.

The "ther isse is that a categ"rical e4clsi"n is an Eighth Amendment$ased #r"hi$iti"n.,,Hence) while the %actal determinati"ns are s"metimes$right line rles), in "ther instances the de%initi"nal re-irements are

,,1 . 5aw(er 3. hitle() 1:1 U.5. ) 6 .

,: . See su#ran"tes ':/?,: and acc"m#an(ing te4t.,' . See/ e.g.) At+ins 3. irginia) 16 U.5. ') ,: .,, . See/ e.g.) id. at ''?',., . R"#er 3. 5imm"ns) 1/ U.5. 11') 18; .


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,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 88de%erred t" the states.,/The isse then $ec"mes whether a #etiti"ner "n thecs# "% the state de%ined categ"rical e4clsi"n c"ld challenge thec"nstitti"nalit( "% the states de%initi"n in an actal inn"cence ha$eas#etiti"n. Essentiall() the #etiti"ner w"ld se the ha$eas mechanism t"ensre that c"nstitti"nal rights) the Eighth Amendment #r"hi$iti"n againstthe e4ecti"n "% certain categ"ries "% "%%enders) ha3e $een #reser3ed. I%

Sawyer is t" $e read as nchanged $( AED!A) then a c"nstitti"nal

challenge t" a state de%initi"nal #r"cedre "r rle sh"ld $e challengea$le3ia a ha$eas #etiti"n t" ensre that the states #r"cedre is in acc"rd withe3"l3ing standards "% decenc( 0ris#rdence.

7rther) AED!As strict wind"w %"r "$taining %ederal ha$eas re3iew "%a state c"rt 0dgment is arga$l( legitimate regarding %actal claims "%

inn"cence.,1H"we3er) the argments regarding the #rinci#les "% c"mit()%inalit() and %ederalism&,6$ear less weight regarding the #reser3ati"n "%%ederal c"nstitti"nal rights $ecase a %ederal c"rt is the traditi"nalgardian "% an indi3idals %ederal rights.,8 B( den(ing re3iew) a statec"ld #"tentiall( ha3e an nc"nstitti"nal sentencing scheme that w"ld

esca#e %ederal re3iew) there$( all"wing %"r the e4ecti"n "r sentencing "%an indi3idal in 3i"lati"n "% their c"nstitti"nal rights. There%"re) ha$easre3iew ser3es the #r#"se "% ensring an indi3idals rights ha3e $een#reser3ed dring sentencing) and restricting %ederal re3iew "% state

decisi"ns regarding isses r""ted in %ederal law) sch as de%iningintellectal disa$ilit( %"r death #enalt( #r#"ses) ndermines the %ncti"nand #r#"se "% ha$eas c"r#s.,;

5igni%icantl() what a##ears t" $e a circit s#lit ma( instead $e thatcircits that ha3e declined t" rec"gni*e a categ"rical e4clsi"n claim ha3e

n"t $een #resented with e3idence that w"ld $e c"nsidered s%%icientl(relia$le t" 0sti%( the d"ctrine. 7"r e4am#le) in'uidore -. ).=. State Di-.o! arole) the 5ec"nd Circit e4#licitl( reser3ed the -esti"n "% the

e4istence "% an actal inn"cence e4ce#ti"n $ecase the #etiti"ners claimwas %actall( ins%%icient and ths there was n" need t" answer thes$stanti3e legal isse.,=As sch) circits re-ire a #resentati"n "% new

,/ . See (tkins) 16 U.5. at '8?';.,1 ,1. See 9arrett)su#ran"te ''/) at '6;1?;6. 7ederal c"rts rarel(

c"ndct %actal re3iew "% claims asserted in ha$eas #etiti"ns.& %d.at '6;1?;6. Additi"nall()

the( als" rarel( c"ndct #rel( s$stanti3e re3iew) and when the( d") it is t(#icall( t"

e4amine the c"nstitti"nalit( "% a criminal #r"hi$iti"ns sc"#e.&%d.at '6;1.,6 . Dncan 3. al+er) 1 U.5. '68) '8;


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8; $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:8relia$le e3idence&,/:t" rec"gni*e the a3aila$ilit( "% the actal inn"cenced"ctrine t" #r"3ide a 3ehicle %"r categ"rical e4clsi"n claims.

H"we3er) i% the circits are indeed s#lit) a res"lti"n sh"ld all"w a

merit"ri"s categ"rical e4clsi"n t" $e heard as an actal inn"cence claimnder the Sawyertest) 0st as e4"nerating DNA e3idence w"ld $e all"wednder the actal inn"cence 0errera and Shlu# test. Ths) "% the threedeterminati"ns %"r a ca#ital sentence),/'an indi3idal wh" is categ"ricall(e4clded sh"ld $e c"nsidered ineligi$le %"r ca#ital #nishment 0st as a#ers"n wh" did n"t c"mmit the crime.,/,

7"r #ractical a##licati"n) there are tw" the"ries "% h"w a categ"ricalineligi$ilit( actal inn"cence claim is #r"#erl( heard. 7irst) the Sawyereligi$ilit( standard re-ires $( clear and c"n3incing e3idence that) $t %"ra c"nstitti"nal err"r) n" reas"na$le 0r"r w"ld ha3e %"nd the #etiti"nereligi$le %"r the death #enalt( nder the a##lica$le state law.&,/As sch)there are tw" re-irements2 esta$lishing %actal ineligi$ilit( andc"nstitti"nal err"r. Hence) nder a Sawyerclaim) the e3idence need n"t $enew) $t mst $e s%%icient t" dem"nstrate that n" reas"na$le 0r"r w"ld

ha3e %"nd the #etiti"ner eligi$le.,//Alternati3el() a Sawyerclaim c"ld $ea 3ehicle t" challenge the a##lica$le state law& as the c"nstitti"nal err"rnder the Eighth Amendment.,/1

5imilarl() there is emerging th"ght that a categ"rical e4clsi"n claimd"es n"t re-ire e-ita$le t"lling "r actal inn"cence standards.,/6 Theheart "% this ide"l"g( is that in "rder t" a3"id a miscarriage "% 0stice)& a

categ"rical e4clsi"n claim sh"ld $e heard as a #re e4ce#ti"n t" theAED!A statte "% limitati"ns) wh"ll( a#art %r"m a t"lling anal(sis.,/8

,/: . 3ell ) 1/8 U.5. at 18 see alsoHenders"n 3. Thaler) 6,6 7.d 88) 8;8

.
http://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=780&FindType=Y&ReferencePositionType=S&SerialNum=1992111891&ReferencePosition=341http://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=780&FindType=Y&ReferencePositionType=S&SerialNum=1992111891&ReferencePosition=341


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,:', DE(T0 %S D%FFERE)T 8=. CONCU5ION

The 9reat rit sh"ld $e the s$stance "% L0stice) n"t the %"rm "%#r"cedres.&,/; In rec"gni*ing that death is a di%%erent +ind "%#nishment . . . in $"th its se3erit( and its %inalit(&,/=the C"rt rec"gni*es

the s#ecial need %"r e-ita$le #rinci#les t" #re3ail "3er strict statt"r(reading. hile AED!A can $e read t" e4clde late ha$eas #etiti"ns) the0diciar( retains e-ita$le ath"rit( "3er the writ "% ha$eas c"r#s.,1:Assch) an actal inn"cence claim can and sh"ld c"nsist "% e3idencedem"nstrating an inherent -alit( in the de%endant that creates ins%%icientcl#a$ilit( %"r im#"siti"n "% the death #enalt() sch as 03enile stats& "rmental de%icienc(.&,1'

Crrentl() we +n"w that AED!A is s$0ect t" e-ita$le t"lling.,1,

H"we3er) the claims and e3idence that c"nstitte gr"nds s%%icient t"grant the e-ita$le d"ctrine create di3isi"n am"ngst the circits.,1The %irstste# is t" %ind that a claim "% actal inn"cence is s%%icient t" -ali%( %"re-ita$le t"lling. Once that is rec"gni*ed) the ne4t ste# is t" a##reciate that

the death #enalt( is t(#icall( $i%rcated.,1/

The $i%rcati"n is t" ensre thatthe death #enalt( is n"t ar$itraril( "r ca#rici"sl( im#"sed) and as sch)$"th #r"ngs "% the $i%rcati"n #r"cedre warrant e-al de%erence regarding

inn"cence claims.

A categ"rical e4clsi"n is an a$s"lte #r"hi$iti"n "% im#"siti"n "% a#enalt( #"n a class "% "%%enders. Jst as an indi3idal can claim %actalinn"cence %r"m a crime),11a #ers"n can claim e4clsi"n %r"m the death#enalt(.,16The C"nstitti"n inc"r#"rates Americas e3"l3ing standards "%

decenc() and al"ng with "r decenc() we "ght n"t l"se sight thatF$ecase the death #enalt( is the m"st se3ere #nishment) the EighthAmendment a##lies t" it with s#ecial %"rce.&,18 These are n"t merel(h"rtat"r( c"mmands) $t rather #rinci#les im$edded as the %"ndati"n %"r

American s"ciet() %"r e3er changing and %"r e3er im#r"3ing.&

,1;

As sch) circits sh"ld res"l3e t" inc"r#"rate categ"rical e4clsi"n

,/; . Murray) /88 U.5. at 1::.,/= . Bec+ 3. Ala$ama) //8 U.5. 6,1) 68


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;: $%&%' ()D $R%M%)(' $*)F%)EME)T F"l. ;2:80ris#rdence int" actal inn"cence 0ris#rdence nder the Sawyerstandard) "r as a %ree standing claim "% relie%. FIt is a >$?onstitutionweare e4#"nding)&,1= and while Fc"rts mst n"t c"nsider the wisd"m "%stattes . . . neither can the( sancti"n as $eing merel( nwise that whichthe C"nstitti"n %"r$ids.&,6:The 9reat rit is intended t" #reser3e "rc"nstitti"nal rights) and as sch) ha$eas c"r#s is a #r"#er means t" testthe c"nstitti"nalit( "% a state c"n3icti"n "n c"llateral re3iew t" ensre that

indi3idal %ederal rights ha3e $een #reser3ed. 7inall() c"rts sh"ld res"l3et" all"w ha$eas t" inclde categ"rical e4clsi"n claims s" that the se3eralstates are in nis"n in Americas #rsit in acc"rd with the C"nstitti"nt"ward "r e3"l3ing standards "% decenc(.

,1= . %d.at /:8.,6: . Tro#) 16 U.5. at ':.

Death is Different: Actual Innocence andCategorical Exclusion Claims Underthe Antiterrorism and...

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Transcript of Death is Different: Actual Innocence andCategorical Exclusion Claims Underthe Antiterrorism and...