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Rule 808 – Form for Jury Sentencing Verdict Slip

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Pennsylvania

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

OF

___

COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CRIMINAL

COMMONWEALTH OF
PENNSYLVANIA		 :
vs. : NO. ___
:

FIRST DEGREE MURDER

SENTENCING VERDICT SLIP

I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

A. READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE VERDICT SLIP BEFORE BEGINNING DELIBERATIONS.
B. AGGRAVATING AND MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES PRESENTED TO THE JURY.

1. The following aggravating circumstance(s) (is) (are) submitted to the jury and must be proved by the Commonwealth beyond a reasonable doubt:

(1)

______________________________________

(2)

______________________________________

______________________________________

(3)

______________________________________

______________________________________

(4)

______________________________________

______________________________________

2. The following mitigating circumstance(s) (is) (are) submitted to the jury and must be proved by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence:

(1)

______________________________________

______________________________________

(2)

______________________________________

______________________________________

(3)

______________________________________

______________________________________

(4) Any other evidence of mitigation concerning the character and record of the defendant and the circumstances of the defendant’s offense.
C. DO NOT COMPLETE THIS SENTENCING VERDICT SLIP UNTIL YOUR DELIBERATIONS ARE CONCLUDED. THIS SENTENCING VERDICT SLIP IS ONLY TO BE USED TO RECORD YOUR SENTENCING VERDICT AND THE FINDINGS UPON WHICH IT IS BASED.
D. IF, AFTER SUFFICIENT DELIBERATION, YOU CANNOT UNANIMOUSLY REACH A SENTENCING VERDICT, DO NOT COMPLETE OR SIGN THIS SLIP, BUT RETURN IT TO THE JUDGE. THE JUDGE WILL DETERMINE IF FURTHER DELIBERATIONS ARE REQUIRED; IF THEY ARE NOT, THE JUDGE WILL SENTENCE THE DEFENDANT TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
II. SENTENCING VERDICT AND FINDINGS

If you have reached a unanimous verdict, complete this part of the form.

In Section A, indicate whether the sentencing verdict is death or life imprisonment. If the sentence is death, indicate the basis for that verdict by completing Section B. If the sentence is life imprisonment, indicate the basis for that verdict by completing Section C.

A. We, the jury, unanimously sentence the defendant to (check one):

____________

Death

____________

Life Imprisonment

B. The findings on which the sentence of death is based are (check one):

____________

1. At least one aggravating circumstance and no mitigating circumstance.

The aggravating circumstance(s) unanimously found (is) (are):

______________________________________

______________________________________

____________

2. One or more aggravating circumstances which outweigh(s) any mitigating circumstance(s).

The aggravating circumstance(s) unanimously found (is) (are):

______________________________________

______________________________________

The mitigating circumstance(s) found by one or more of us (is) (are):

______________________________________

______________________________________

C. The findings on which the sentence of life imprisonment is based are (check one):

____________

1. No aggravating circumstance exists.

____________

2. The mitigating circumstance(s) (is) (are) not outweighed by the aggravating circumstance(s).

The mitigating circumstance(s) found by one or more of us (is) (are):

______________________________________

______________________________________

The aggravating circumstance(s) unanimously found (is) (are):

______________________________________

______________________________________

____________

DATE

_________________________

JURY FOREPERSON

234 Pa. Code ยง 808

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000) .

Final Report explaining the July 31, 2013 Comment revision cross-referencing Rule 845 published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 4722 (August 17, 2013) .