RAULERSON v. WAINWRIGHT, 469 U.S. 966 (1984)
U.S. Supreme Court
RAULERSON v. WAINWRIGHT , 469 U.S. 966 (1984)469 U.S. 966
James David RAULERSON
v.
Louie L. WAINWRIGHT, Secretary, Florida Department of
Corrections
No. 84-5247
Supreme Court of the United States
October 29, 1984
On petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.
Justice BRENNAN, dissenting.
Adhering to my view that the death penalty is in all circumstances cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 227, 2950, 49 L. Ed. 2d 859 (1976), I would grant certiorari and vacate the death sentence in this case.
Justice MARSHALL, dissenting.
In Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 ( 1975), this Court held that a defendant in a state criminal trial has a right under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to proceed without counsel if he clearly and unequivocally asks to do so. In this case, the petitioner made a motion to represent himself in which he cited Faretta. According to Faretta, when such a motion is made, the court must assure that the petitioner understands the dangers of his decision, and that the decision is knowing and voluntary, and then rule on the motion. The state trial court, however, did not make such an inquiry and effectively denied the motion. Reviewing the District Court's denial of a petition for habeas corpus, the
Federal Court of Appeals held that the state trial court had not committed reversible error because events subsequent to petitioner's assertion of the right demonstrated that petitioner's initial request was ambiguous. 732 F.2d 803 (CA11 1984). The analysis of the Court of Appeals reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the right guaranteed by Faretta. I, therefore, dissent.
I
The facts of this case are not in dispute. Petitioner James David Raulerson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His death sentence was stayed by a Federal District Court, 508 F. Supp. 381 ( MD Fla.1980), and a second sentencing hearing was scheduled to be held in state court. Before the second sentencing hearing, petitioner expressed considerable dissatisfaction with his attorney, and the attorney asked the court's permission to withdraw. The court denied the motion. Thereafter, on July 15, 1980, three weeks prior to the second sentencing hearing, Raulerson asked the trial court to permit him to act as co-counsel with his attorney. The court denied his motion. Next, on July 18, petitioner wrote a letter to the trial judge specifically requesting permission to appear pro se:
"Upon calling [court-appointed counsel] Mr. Busch today I am met with cold indifference. . . .
"With these things to your attention I wish to make motions to:
The state court provided a copy of the letter to counsel and did
nothing more. At the start of the sentencing hearing, the trial
judge told Raulerson that under Florida law he could appear as
co-counsel and that if he "continues to wish to participate in the
representation of himself," id., at 6, he would allow him to
participate as co-counsel. In other words, the trial judge
instructed Raulerson precisely to the contrary of what the law is,
indicating that he could not proceed on his own but could proceed
as co-counsel. Later in the hearing, the trial judge reversed
himself and held that Raulerson could not even participate as
co-counsel. Also at the sentencing hearing, counsel asked for a
continuance and informed the court that he was not prepared to
proceed; at [469 U.S.
966 , 968]
U.S. Supreme Court
RAULERSON v. WAINWRIGHT , 469 U.S. 966 (1984) 469 U.S. 966 James David RAULERSONv.
Louie L. WAINWRIGHT, Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections
No. 84-5247 Supreme Court of the United States October 29, 1984 On petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied. Justice BRENNAN, dissenting. Adhering to my view that the death penalty is in all circumstances cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 227, 2950, 49 L. Ed. 2d 859 (1976), I would grant certiorari and vacate the death sentence in this case. Justice MARSHALL, dissenting. In Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 ( 1975), this Court held that a defendant in a state criminal trial has a right under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to proceed without counsel if he clearly and unequivocally asks to do so. In this case, the petitioner made a motion to represent himself in which he cited Faretta. According to Faretta, when such a motion is made, the court must assure that the petitioner understands the dangers of his decision, and that the decision is knowing and voluntary, and then rule on the motion. The state trial court, however, did not make such an inquiry and effectively denied the motion. Reviewing the District Court's denial of a petition for habeas corpus, the Page 469 U.S. 966 , 967 Federal Court of Appeals held that the state trial court had not committed reversible error because events subsequent to petitioner's assertion of the right demonstrated that petitioner's initial request was ambiguous. 732 F.2d 803 (CA11 1984). The analysis of the Court of Appeals reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the right guaranteed by Faretta. I, therefore, dissent. I The facts of this case are not in dispute. Petitioner James David Raulerson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His death sentence was stayed by a Federal District Court, 508 F. Supp. 381 ( MD Fla.1980), and a second sentencing hearing was scheduled to be held in state court. Before the second sentencing hearing, petitioner expressed considerable dissatisfaction with his attorney, and the attorney asked the court's permission to withdraw. The court denied the motion. Thereafter, on July 15, 1980, three weeks prior to the second sentencing hearing, Raulerson asked the trial court to permit him to act as co-counsel with his attorney. The court denied his motion. Next, on July 18, petitioner wrote a letter to the trial judge specifically requesting permission to appear pro se: "Upon calling [court-appointed counsel] Mr. Busch today I am met with cold indifference. . . . "With these things to your attention I wish to make motions to: