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Gardner v. Florida

United States Supreme Court

430 U.S. 349, 97 S. Ct. 1197, 51 L. Ed. 2d 393 (1977)

Facts

Gardner (defendant) was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. The trial judge stated that he decided to sentence Gardner to death based in part on information contained in a presentence-investigation report. Portions of this presentence-investigation report were not disclosed to counsel for either of the parties, which meant that Gardner was not given an opportunity to explain or deny the information in the report. The Supreme Court of Florida affirmed the judgment.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Stevens, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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Concurrence (Brennan, J.)

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Concurrence (White, J.)

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