8TH CIRCUIT MODEL DEATH PENALTY
JURY INSTRUCTIONS 2002
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Instructions Table of Contents
8th Circuit Subcommittee on Death Penalty Jury Instructions
Death Penalty - Preliminary Instructions (12.00 - 12.03)
12.00 Homicide - Death Penalty - Sentencing (18 USC
3591 et Seq.)
12.01 Introduction to Preliminary Instructions
12.02 Burden of Proof
12.03 Evidence
Death Penalty - Final Instructions (12.04-12.22)
12.04 Introduction to Final Instructions
12.05 Finding as to Defendant’s Age (18 USC 3591)
(Homicide)
12.06 Finding of
Requisite Mental State (18 USC 3591) (Homicide)
12.07 Statutory Aggravating Factors (18 USC 3592) (Homicide)
12.07A Death or Injury Resulting in Death During the Commission of an Offense
Listed under 18 USC 3592(c)(1)
12.07B Defendant’s Prior Conviction of a Violent Felony Involving a Firearm
(18 USC 3592(c)(2))
12.07C Defendant’s Prior Conviction of an Offense Resulting in Death for Which
a Sentence of Life Imprisonment or Death Was Authorized by Statute (18 USC
3592(c)(3), (D)(1))
12.07D Defendant’s Prior Conviction of Two or More Offenses Involving the
Infliction of Serious Bodily Injury or Death (18 USC 3592(c)(4), (D)(2))
12.07E Creation of a Grave Risk of Death to One or More Persons in Addition to
the Victim (18 USC 3592(c)(5); 21 USC 848(n)(5))
12.07F Commission of the Offense in an Especially Heinous Cruel or Depraved
Manner (18 USC 3592(c)(6))
12.07G Procurement of Commission of the Offense by Payment of Something of
Pecuniary Value (18 USC 3592(c)(7); 21 USC 848(n)(6) and (7))
12.07H Commission of the Offense for Pecuniary Gain (18 USC 3592(c)(8); 21 USC
848(n)(7))
12.07I Commission of the Offense after Substantial Planning and Premeditation
(18 USC 3592(c)(9); 21 USC 848(n)(8))
12.07J Defendant’s Prior Convictions for Two or More Felony Drug Distribution
Offenses (18 USC 3592(c)(10), (D)(2); 21 USC 848(n)(4))
12.07K Vulnerable Victim (18 USC 3592(c)(11); 21 USC 848(n)(9))
12.07L Previous Conviction for a Federal Narcotics Violation for Which a
Sentence of Five or More Years May Be Imposed, or Prior Conviction for a
Continuing Criminal Enterprise (18 USC 3592(c)(12), (D)(3); 21 USC 848(n)(10))
12.07M Continuing Criminal Enterprise Involving Drug Sales to Minors (18 USC
3592(c)(13), (D)(5)(6) and (7); 21 USC 848(n)(11); 21 USC 802(8) (11))
12.07N Commission of the Offense Against a High Public Official
12.07O Defendant’s Previous Conviction for Sexual Assault, Child Molestation
(18 USC 3592(c)(15))
12.07P Multiple Killings or Attempted Killings (18 USC 3592(c)(16); 18 USC
3591(a)(2)(A))
12.08 Nonstatutory Aggravating Factors
12.09 Mitigating Factors
12.10 Mitigating Factors Enumerated (18 USC 3592(a))
12.11 Weighing Aggravation and Mitigation
12.12 Consequences of Deliberations (18 USC 3594)
12.13 Justice Without Discrimination (18 USC 3593(f))
12.14 Defendant’s Right Not to Testify
12.15 - 12.19 [Reserved for Future Use]
12.20 Special Verdict (18 USC 3593(d); 21 USC 848(k), (Q))12.21 Concluding
Instruction
12.22 Special Verdict Form