8TH CIRCUIT MODEL DEATH PENALTY
JURY INSTRUCTIONS (PROPOSED 2002)
Go to Sample
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