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Delaware Code

11 Del. C. § 4209 (2026)

Punishment for first-degree murder committed by adult offenders

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a) Punishment for first-degree murder. —

Any person who is convicted of first-degree murder for an offense that was committed after the person had reached the person’s eighteenth birthday shall be punished by imprisonment for the remainder of the person’s natural life without benefit of probation or parole or any other reduction.

(b)-(h) [Repealed.]

11 Del. C. 1953, §  4209;  58 Del. Laws, c. 497, §  2;  59 Del. Laws, c. 284, §  2;  61 Del. Laws, c. 41, §  1;  63 Del. Laws, c. 357, §  1;  65 Del. Laws, c. 281, §  1;  65 Del. Laws, c. 494, §  4;  66 Del. Laws, c. 269, §  29;  68 Del. Laws, c. 189, §§  1-4;  69 Del. Laws, c. 206, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 439, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 33, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 137, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 182, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 430, §  2;  73 Del. Laws, c. 423, §§  1, 2, 3, 4, 5;  73 Del. Laws, c. 424, §  1;  74 Del. Laws, c. 174, §§  1, 2, 4;  75 Del. Laws, c. 166, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 191, §  2;  78 Del. Laws, c. 224, §§  20, 21;  78 Del. Laws, c. 252, §  10;  79 Del. Laws, c. 37, §  2;  84 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 233, § 14;  84 Del. Laws, c. 433, § 1; 
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 93 cases (29 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016).
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Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). · cites it 35× “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
Capano v. State, 889 A.2d 968 (Del. 2006). · cites it 22× “[10] 11 Del. C. § 4209; 73 Del. Laws c. 423, S.”
Weeks v. State, 653 A.2d 266 (Del. 1995). · cites it 17× “Second, he argues that the death sentence imposed upon him is disproportionate to sentences imposed for similar crimes and, therefore, violates 11 Del.C. § 4209. After reviewing the record, we find no error.”
James William Riley v. Stanley W. Taylor M. Jane Brady, 277 F.3d 261 (3rd Cir. 2001). · cites it 4× “” 11 Del.C. § 4209. Since subsection (g) of § 4209 mandates the “Automatic Review of Death Penalty by Delaware Supreme Court”, the prosecutor in the instant case was simply quoting the statute.”
Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 A.3d 24 (Pa. 2011). · cites it 2× “3-1102 (2002); 11 Del. Code § 4209 (2002); Fla. Stat. § 921.”
Timothy Lee Hurst v. State of Florida, 202 So. 3d 40 (Fla. 2016). · cites it 2× “2, 2016) (quoting 11 Del. C. § 4209). - 40 - inform the final recommendation.”
Abdullah Tanzil Hameen, A/K/A Cornelius Ferguson v. State of Delaware Cornelius E. Ferguson, Jr., A/K/A Abdullah Tanzil Hameen, 212 F.3d 226 (3rd Cir. 2000). · cites it 3× “The amended law changed the foregoing procedure, and the Delaware Supreme Court describes its capital sentencing provision as follows: Under Delaware law, as revised in 1991, a sentence of death may be imposed only under the bifurcated procedure prescribed by 11 Del. C. § 4209.…”
State v. Spence, 367 A.2d 983 (Del. 1976). · cites it 4× “” 11 Del.C. § 4209 provides: “§ 4209. Method and punishment for first degree murder.”
Jack Foster Outten, Jr. v. Rick Kearney, Warden, Sussex Corr. Inst. Attorney Gen. of the State of Delaware, Jack F. Outten, Jr., 464 F.3d 401 (3rd Cir. 2006). · cites it 2× “Consistent with the state death penalty statute in effect at the time of the sentencing hearing, 11 Del. C. § 4209, the jury unanimously found beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of three aggravating factors: (1) the murder was committed during a robbery, id.”
Sykes v. State, 147 A.3d 201 (Del. 2015). · cites it 2× “49 11 Del. C. § 4209(c). 50 11 Del. C. § 4209(d).”
Commonwealth v. Robinson, 877 A.2d 433 (Pa. 2005). “2 (2002) (robbery, kidnapping, rape, sodomy, lewd act upon a child, oral copulation, burglary, arson, train wrecking, mayhem, rape by instrument, carjacking); 11 Del. C. § 4209 (2002) (rape, unlawful sexual intercourse, arson, kidnapping, robbery, sodomy, or burglary); Fla.”
Norman v. State, 976 A.2d 843 (Del. 2009). · cites it 2× “The Application of 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(l)k. Norman next contends that the aggravating factor used to elevate his life sentence to a sentence of death was improperly applied to his conduct.”
Show all 93 citing cases →
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(2) — 1 case
State v. Smith, 324 A.2d 203 (Del. 1974).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(6)(2) — 1 case
Phillips v. State, 154 A.3d 1146 (Del. 2017).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(a) — 17 cases
State v. Spence, 367 A.2d 983 (Del. 1976). “” 11 Del.C. § 4209 provides: “§ 4209. Method and punishment for first degree murder.”
Fatir v. Thomas, 106 F. Supp. 2d 572 (D. Del. 2000).
State v. Manley State v. Stevenson (Del. Super. Ct. 2018).
State v. Williams (Del. Super. Ct. 2023).
Miles v. State (Del. 2018).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(b) — 3 cases
Carmelo Claudio Enrique Maymi v. Robert Snyder, Warden, Delaware Corr. Ctr. M. Jane Brady, Attorney Gen. of the State of Delaware, 68 F.3d 1573 (3rd Cir. 1995).
Cooke v. State (Del. 2025).
McCoy v. State (Del. 2014).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(b)(2) — 1 case
Norcross v. State (Del. 2018).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c) — 7 cases
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
Abdullah Tanzil Hameen, A/K/A Cornelius Ferguson v. State of Delaware Cornelius E. Ferguson, Jr., A/K/A Abdullah Tanzil Hameen, 212 F.3d 226 (3rd Cir. 2000). “The amended law changed the foregoing procedure, and the Delaware Supreme Court describes its capital sentencing provision as follows: Under Delaware law, as revised in 1991, a sentence of death may be imposed only under the bifurcated procedure prescribed by 11 Del. C. § 4209.…”
Sykes v. State, 147 A.3d 201 (Del. 2015). “49 11 Del. C. § 4209(c). 50 11 Del. C. § 4209(d).”
Gattis v. Snyder, 46 F. Supp. 2d 344 (D. Del. 1999).
State v. Cabrera, Jr. (Del. Super. Ct. 2015).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(1) — 1 case
State of Delaware v. Luis Reyes (Del. Super. Ct. 2016).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(2) — 2 cases
DeShields v. Snyder, 829 F. Supp. 676 (D. Del. 1993).
State of Delaware v. Luis Reyes (Del. Super. Ct. 2016).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3) — 1 case
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)(2) — 1 case
State of Delaware v. Starling. (Del. Super. Ct. 2014).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)(a) — 1 case
Capano v. State, 889 A.2d 968 (Del. 2006). “[10] 11 Del. C. § 4209; 73 Del. Laws c. 423, S.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)(a)(2) — 1 case
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)(b)(1) — 1 case
Capano v. State, 889 A.2d 968 (Del. 2006). “[10] 11 Del. C. § 4209; 73 Del. Laws c. 423, S.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(c)(3)(b)(l) — 1 case
Capano v. State, 889 A.2d 968 (Del. 2006). “[10] 11 Del. C. § 4209; 73 Del. Laws c. 423, S.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d) — 6 cases
Abdullah Tanzil Hameen, A/K/A Cornelius Ferguson v. State of Delaware Cornelius E. Ferguson, Jr., A/K/A Abdullah Tanzil Hameen, 212 F.3d 226 (3rd Cir. 2000). “The amended law changed the foregoing procedure, and the Delaware Supreme Court describes its capital sentencing provision as follows: Under Delaware law, as revised in 1991, a sentence of death may be imposed only under the bifurcated procedure prescribed by 11 Del. C. § 4209.…”
Sykes v. State, 147 A.3d 201 (Del. 2015). “49 11 Del. C. § 4209(c). 50 11 Del. C. § 4209(d).”
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
State v. Garvey (Del. Super. Ct. 2018).
State v. Cabrera, Jr. (Del. Super. Ct. 2015).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d)(1) — 4 cases
Capano v. State, 889 A.2d 968 (Del. 2006). “[10] 11 Del. C. § 4209; 73 Del. Laws c. 423, S.”
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
Lizcano, Juan (Tex. Crim. App. 2010).
Lizcano, Juan (Tex. Crim. App. 2010).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d)(1)(a) — 3 cases
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
Bailey v. Snyder, 855 F. Supp. 1392 (D. Del. 1993).
Bailey v. Snyder, 826 F. Supp. 804 (D. Del. 1993).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d)(1)(b) — 1 case
Flamer v. Chaffinch, 827 F. Supp. 1079 (D. Del. 1993).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d)(2) — 15 cases
Capano v. State, 889 A.2d 968 (Del. 2006). “[10] 11 Del. C. § 4209; 73 Del. Laws c. 423, S.”
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
Taylor v. State (Del. 2018).
Norcross v. State (Del. 2018).
Norcross v. State (Del. 2018).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d)(2003) — 1 case
Dl v. Dist. of Columbia, 109 F. Supp. 3d 12 (D.D.C. 2015).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(d)(3) — 2 cases
Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 36 A.3d 24 (Pa. 2011). “3-1102 (2002); 11 Del. Code § 4209 (2002); Fla. Stat. § 921.”
Booth v. State, 608 A.2d 162 (Md. 1992).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e) — 2 cases
State v. White, 395 A.2d 1082 (Del. 1978).
Cruz-Webster v. State (Del. 2026).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(1) — 2 cases
Weeks v. State, 653 A.2d 266 (Del. 1995). “Second, he argues that the death sentence imposed upon him is disproportionate to sentences imposed for similar crimes and, therefore, violates 11 Del.C. § 4209. After reviewing the record, we find no error.”
Rauf v. State, 145 A.3d 430 (Del. 2016). “Question Five If any procedure in 11 Del. C. § 4209‘s capital sentencing scheme does not comport with federal constitutional standards, can the provision for such be 5 See supra note 3.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(1)(i) — 2 cases
State of Delaware v. Starling. (Del. Super. Ct. 2014).
State of Delaware v. Taylor. (Del. Super. Ct. 2015).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(1)(j) — 1 case
Flamer v. Chaffinch, 827 F. Supp. 1079 (D. Del. 1993).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(1)(n) — 1 case
Flamer v. Chaffinch, 827 F. Supp. 1079 (D. Del. 1993).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(a) — 1 case
State of Delaware v. Starling. (Del. Super. Ct. 2014).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(i) — 1 case
State of Delaware v. Taylor. (Del. Super. Ct. 2015).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(l) — 2 cases
Weeks v. State, 653 A.2d 266 (Del. 1995). “Second, he argues that the death sentence imposed upon him is disproportionate to sentences imposed for similar crimes and, therefore, violates 11 Del.C. § 4209. After reviewing the record, we find no error.”
Norman v. State, 976 A.2d 843 (Del. 2009). “The Application of 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(l)k. Norman next contends that the aggravating factor used to elevate his life sentence to a sentence of death was improperly applied to his conduct.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(e)(l)(j) — 2 cases
James William Riley v. Stanley W. Taylor M. Jane Brady, 277 F.3d 261 (3rd Cir. 2001). “” 11 Del.C. § 4209. Since subsection (g) of § 4209 mandates the “Automatic Review of Death Penalty by Delaware Supreme Court”, the prosecutor in the instant case was simply quoting the statute.”
Riley v. Snyder, 840 F. Supp. 1012 (D. Del. 1993).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(f) — 2 cases
Jackson v. Danberg, 601 F. Supp. 2d 589 (D. Del. 2009).
State of Delaware v. Luis Reyes (Del. Super. Ct. 2016).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(g) — 6 cases
Jack Foster Outten, Jr. v. Rick Kearney, Warden, Sussex Corr. Inst. Attorney Gen. of the State of Delaware, Jack F. Outten, Jr., 464 F.3d 401 (3rd Cir. 2006). “Consistent with the state death penalty statute in effect at the time of the sentencing hearing, 11 Del. C. § 4209, the jury unanimously found beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of three aggravating factors: (1) the murder was committed during a robbery, id.”
State of Delaware v. Luis Reyes (Del. Super. Ct. 2016).
Cooke v. State (Del. 2025).
State v. Cabrera, Jr. (Del. Super. Ct. 2015).
State of Delaware v. Cabrera. (Del. Super. Ct. 2015).
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(g)(2) — 2 cases
Weeks v. State, 653 A.2d 266 (Del. 1995). “Second, he argues that the death sentence imposed upon him is disproportionate to sentences imposed for similar crimes and, therefore, violates 11 Del.C. § 4209. After reviewing the record, we find no error.”
James William Riley v. Stanley W. Taylor M. Jane Brady, 277 F.3d 261 (3rd Cir. 2001). “” 11 Del.C. § 4209. Since subsection (g) of § 4209 mandates the “Automatic Review of Death Penalty by Delaware Supreme Court”, the prosecutor in the instant case was simply quoting the statute.”
— 11 Del. C. § 4209(g)(2)(a) — 2 cases
James William Riley v. Stanley W. Taylor M. Jane Brady, 277 F.3d 261 (3rd Cir. 2001). “” 11 Del.C. § 4209. Since subsection (g) of § 4209 mandates the “Automatic Review of Death Penalty by Delaware Supreme Court”, the prosecutor in the instant case was simply quoting the statute.”
Riley v. Snyder, 840 F. Supp. 1012 (D. Del. 1993).
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