Supreme Court of the United States
Adams v. Texas
June 25, 1980448 U.S. 38
Summary
The Court held that the Witherspoon doctrine applies to Texas's bifurcated capital‑sentencing scheme and that the exclusion of jurors under Texas Penal Code §12.31(b) violated that doctrine, reversing the death sentence. Chief Justice Burger, Justice Brennan, and Justice Marshall each filed concurring opinions—Brennan and Marshall expressing personal opposition to the death penalty, and the Chief simply concurring in the judgment. Justice Rehnquist dissented, arguing that the Court should not expand Witherspoon and that the judgment should be affirmed.
Holding
- Is the doctrine of Witherspoon v. Illinois applicable to the bifurcated procedure employed by Texas in capital cases?. Yes, the Witherspoon doctrine applies to Texas's bifurcated capital‑sentencing procedure.
- Did the exclusion of prospective jurors pursuant to Texas Penal Code §12.31(b) violate the Witherspoon doctrine?. Yes, the exclusions were inconsistent with Witherspoon and therefore unconstitutional, requiring reversal of the death sentence.
Docket 79-5175
Cited authorities
- Tex. Code Ann. § 12.31
- Tex. Code Ann. § 12.31
- Tex. Code Ann. § 19.03
- Tex. Code Ann. § 12.31
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