October Term 2003 · Docket 03-526
Who decides if a defendant faces the death penalty?
The dispute centers on whether a judge or jury must determine eligibility for capital punishment.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Todd argued Ring only changed who decides.
Mr. Todd stated Ring did not decriminalize conduct.
Mr. Todd claimed no defendant became ineligible for death.
The Chief Justice noted the case was submitted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 1-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 1-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the scope of the Ring decision regarding capital sentencing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 19, 2004.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 4-14
What each side wants
the side that brought the case seeks a jury decision on death penalty eligibility.
the opposing side seeks a judge decision on death penalty eligibility.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues Ring changed who decides, not what is decided.
the opposing side argues Ring did not decriminalize any conduct.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
What the justices asked
The Chief Justice asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 1-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 1-1
Why it matters
This case defines the role of juries in capital sentencing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 4-14 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 4-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 1-1 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 1-1
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 2-42 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 2-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 16-21 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 16-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.