United States Third Circuit

Where the verdict form suggests that a finding of mitigating circumstances requires unanimity, the form violates Mills v. Maryland, 486 US 367 (1988), under Third Circuit precedent in Frey v. Fulcomer, 132 F.3d 916 (3d Cir. 1997).

Appellate Information

• Argued 04/02/2001
• Decided 10/31/2001
• Published 10/31/2001

Judges

• Before: SLOVITER, ROTH and RENDELL, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Albert J. Flora, Jr., [Argued], Wilkes-Barre, PA, William Ruzzo, Kingston, PA, for Appellant, George E. Banks., Peter Goldberger, Law Office of Peter Goldberger, Ardmore, PA, for Amicus-Appellant, PA Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers., Louis M. Natali [Argued], Turner & McDonald, Philadelphia, PA, for Amicus-Appellants, PA Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Louis M. Natali.


• For Appellees:
  
• Scott C. Gartley [Argued], David W. Lupas, Office of District Attorney, Luzerne County Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre, PA, for Appellee, Commonwealth of PA.