State v. Watson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

4 federal appellate · 32 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 39 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[y]ou are required to consider the existence of aggravating and mitigating circumstances in deciding which sentence should be imposed”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 474 So. 2d 919 - State v. Jones · 454 So. 2d 1100 - State v. Summit

2. “"You are required to consider the existence of aggravating and mitigating circumstances in deciding which sentence should be imposed. * * * * * * "Before you decide that a sentence of death should be imposed, you must unanimously find beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged aggravating circumstance existed. "If you find beyond a reasonable doubt the alleged aggravated circumstance existed, you may consider imposing a sentence of death. If however you do not unanimously find beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged statutory aggravating circumstance existed, then life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence is the only sentence that may be imposed. " Even if you find the existence of the aggravating circumstance, you must also consider any mitigating circumstances before you decide that a sentence of death should be imposed. " (Emphasis supplied.)”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 454 So. 2d 1100 - State v. Summit

3. “* * * * * * If after giving consideration to all of the facts and the circumstances of the sentencing hearing in this case, and your minds are wavering, unsettled, and unsatisfied, then this is a doubt of which the law speaks and which you must resolve in favor of the defendant and return a sentence of life imprisonment without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence; but, if that doubt does not exist in your minds as to whether or not the State has established aggravating circumstances or circumstances, then you are obliged to return a sentencing recommendation of death. (emphasis added). * * * * * *”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 425 So. 2d 1241 - State v. David