Hitchcock v. Dugger

We have held that in capital cases, “‘the sentenced” may not refuse to consider or “ ‘be precluded from considering’ ” any relevant mitigating evidence. Skipper v. South Carolina, 476 U. S. 1, 4 (1986) (quoting Eddings v. Oklahoma, 455 U. S. 104, 114 (1982)). See also Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U. S. 586, 604 (1978) (plurality opinion). Certiorari was granted in the present case to consider petitioner’s contention that he was sentenced to death under a Florida statute that operated in a manner inconsistent with this requirement. 1 476 U. S. 1168 (1986).

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On July 31, 1976, 13-year-old Cynthia…