This paper describes the experience of mitigation experts in first degree murder cases in the penalty phase of the trial. The first author, who is a sociologist, has worked in capital murder cases since 1988, as a mitigation expert in over 200 such cases. The second author assists in the mitigation process by analyzing mental health and educational records. The focus of the paper is a discussion of a specific case in which the defendant committed suicide before the case went to trial. (Contains 8 notes.)