The State of Texas appeals the district court's conditional grant of habeas relief to James Carl Lee Davis, including conditional commutation of his death sentence, based upon his contention that the two Texas statutory special issues submitted to the jury, during the punishment phase of his trial, prevented it from giving effect to mitigating evidence of, inter alia, mental instability, in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, and as held in Penry v. Lynaugh, 492 U.S. 302, 109 S. Ct. 2934, 106 L. Ed. 2d 256 (1989). Davis cross-appeals, contending that the rule announced in Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 109 S. Ct. 1060, 103 L. Ed. 2d 334 (1989), does not bar him from challenging collaterally how the punishment phase of his trial, as well as jury voir dire, were affected unconstitutionally by the statutory proscription against disclosing to the jury or venire the effect of a hung jury on the special issues. We AFFIRM in part, REVERSE in part, and REMAND with instructions to deny relief.I.

Early on March 3, 1984, Davis entered the home of his neighbor, Pauline Johnson, without permission, and brutally attacked her young children. As a result, three of the four children died due to multiple skull fractures. Based on the death of one of the children, Yvette, who exhibited evidence of sexual assault, a jury convicted Davis of capital murder.1

During the punishment phase of the trial, and after the presentation of additional evidence, the court instructed the jury to answer two of the three Texas statutory special issues (quoted infra ). Because the jury unanimously answered both issues in the affirmative, the trial court assessed punishment as death by lethal injection. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed, Davis v. State, 782 S.W.2d 211 (Tex.Crim.App.1989); the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari. Davis v. Texas, 495 U.S. 940, 110 S. Ct. 2193, 109 L. Ed. 2d 520 (1990).

Davis sought habeas relief in Texas state court. After making findings of fact and conclusions of law, the state judge (who presided at Davis' trial) recommended denial of habeas relief; and, in an unpublished opinion, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied that relief.

In September 1992, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2254, Davis sought federal habeas relief. After the State moved for summary judgment, the matter was referred to a magistrate judge, who recommended granting the motion. But, in November 1993, relying on intervening case law, the district court declined to follow the recommendation.2 It believed that Davis had raised a Penry claim--that there existed a reasonable likelihood that the jury applied the special issues in a way that prevented it from considering the mitigating effect of childhood abuse, psychological disorders, and mental retardation. It ordered the commutation of his death sentence, unless the State appealed to this court or conducted a new sentencing hearing within 180 days. On the other hand, the district court held that Teague prohibited it from considering Davis' contentions that TEX.CODE CRIM.PROC. art. 37.071(g) (Supp.1986) (proscribing disclosure to a venireman or juror about the effect of a hung jury on the special issues) affected unconstitutionally the punishment phase of his trial, as well as jury voir dire.

The State challenges the ruling on the Penry claim; Davis, the rejection of the issues concerning article 37.071(g). "In considering a federal habeas corpus petition presented by a petitioner in state custody, federal courts must afford a presumption of correctness to any state court factual findings. See 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2254(d). We review the district court's findings of fact for clear error, but decide any issues of law de novo." Barnard v. Collins, 958 F.2d 634, 636 (5th Cir.1992), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S. Ct. 990, 122 L. Ed. 2d 142 (1993). "Evaluation of a petitioner's constitutional challenge to the Texas special issues as applied to him is, of course, an issue of law." Madden v. Collins, 18 F.3d 304, 306 (5th Cir.1994), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 115 S. Ct. 1114, 130 L. Ed. 2d 1078 (1995).

Needless to say, because Davis seeks habeas relief, " 'we must determine, as a threshold matter, whether granting him the relief he seeks would create a "new rule" ' of constitutional law" under Teague. Graham v. Collins, 506 U.S. ----, ----, 113 S. Ct. 892, 897, 122 L. Ed. 2d 260 (1993) (quoting Penry, 492 U.S. at 313, 109 S.Ct. at 2944); accord Motley v. Collins, 18 F.3d 1223, 1230 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 115 S. Ct. 418, 130 L. Ed. 2d 333 (1994).

Under Teague, a "new rule" is one which " 'imposes a new obligation on the States or the Federal Government' " or was not " 'dictated by precedent existing at the time the defendant's conviction became final.' " [Graham, 506 U.S. at ----, 113 S. Ct. at 897] (quoting Teague, 489 U.S. at 301, 109 S.Ct. at 1070). As the Supreme Court aptly noted, it is extremely difficult " 'to determine whether we announce a new rule when a decision extends the reasoning of ... prior cases.' " Id. (quoting Saffle v. Parks, 494 U.S. 484, 488, 110 S. Ct. 1257, 1260, 108 L. Ed. 2d 415 (1990)). Nonetheless, we are instructed that "unless reasonable jurists hearing [Davis'] claim at the time his conviction became final 'would have felt compelled by existing precedent' to rule in his favor, we are barred from doing so now." Id. (quoting Saffle, 494 U.S. at 488, 110 S. Ct. at 1260) (emphasis added).

Motley, 18 F.3d at 1230. First, we consider the Penry issue.

The two Texas special issues submitted to the jury during the punishment phase of trial were:

(1) Do you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the conduct of the defendant that caused the death of the deceased was committed deliberately and with the reasonable expectation that the death of the deceased or another would result?

(2) Do you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society?

In Penry, decided before Davis' conviction became final, the Supreme Court held that when a capital defendant introduces evidence about his background, character, or circumstances that reflects a reduced personal culpability, and the jury cannot give effect to the mitigating force of that evidence in response to Texas' special issues, the trial court must, upon request, provide instructions that allow the jury to consider and give mitigating effect to that evidence. Penry, 492 U.S. at 319-28, 109 S.Ct. at 2947-52.3 Penry had presented evidence that childhood abuse and mental retardation left him unable to learn from his mistakes, but that the special issues failed to give the jury a vehicle for taking this into consideration. Id. at 308.

Likewise, Davis maintains that the special issues failed to give the jury a vehicle by which it could properly consider and give effect to evidence tending to mitigate his culpability for the murder of Yvette Johnson. He contends that evidence of mental instability and childhood abuse indicates that he was prevented, like Penry, from learning from his mistakes. "To grant relief on a Penry claim, we must determine (1) that the ... evidence was constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence, and, if so, (2) that the ... evidence was beyond the 'effective reach' of the jurors." Madden, 18 F.3d at 308 (emphasis omitted). For the several alternate reasons discussed below, we conclude that Davis' Penry claim fails.

The first inquiry in a Penry claim is whether the mitigating evidence is relevant. Phrased differently, does the evidence implicate the basic concern of Penry "that defendants who commit criminal acts that are attributable to a disadvantaged background, or to emotional and mental problems, may be less culpable than defendants who have no such excuse."

Madden, 18 F.3d at 307 (quoting Penry, 492 U.S. at 319, 109 S.Ct. at 2947); accord Allridge v. Scott, 41 F.3d 213, 223 (5th Cir.1994); Motley, 18 F.3d at 1235 n. 10. In short, evidence of a disadvantaged background, or emotional and mental problems, does not raise, ipso facto, a Penry claim. In order to present relevant evidence that one is less culpable for his crime, the evidence must show (1) a "uniquely severe permanent handicap[ ] with which the defendant was burdened through no fault of his own", Graham v. Collins, 950 F.2d 1009, 1029 (5th Cir.1992) (en banc), aff'd on other grounds, 506 U.S. ----, 113 S. Ct. 892, 122 L. Ed. 2d 260 (1993), and (2) that the criminal act was attributable to this severe permanent condition. Madden, 18 F.3d at 307.

As noted, this court has made it clear that, for evidence to have mitigating relevance to the special issues, there must be a nexus between the mitigating evidence and the criminal act. For example, in Madden, a clinical psychologist testified that Madden suffered from an emotional disorder (specifically, an anti-social personality). Madden failed, however, to elicit any testimony that a person with such a disorder is more aggressive or violent than an unafflicted person, or that he, in particular, was more aggressive or violent because of the disorder. Also absent was evidence that Madden was incapable of controlling his impulses or unable to distinguish right from wrong. Based upon this, our court determined there was insubstantial evidence that Madden's criminal actions were attributable to his anti-social personality. Id.

Davis asserts that his mental instabilities were "acted out" during the crime, thus, demonstrating a connection between the crime and his condition. Specifically, he contends that a nexus is indicated between his "diagnosed condition of paranoid schizophrenia, psychotic disorders and violent sexual proclivities" and the crime because "the offense was committed against female children during a bizarre sexual attack."4 After reviewing the state court's findings, the district court's findings, and the record, we conclude, as hereinafter discussed, that Davis failed to present the requisite "constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence". We address in turn the evidence on (1) paranoid schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, (2) violent sexual proclivities, and (3) abusive childhood.

a.

At the punishment phase, court-appointed psychiatrist Dr. Richard Coons, who examined Davis just prior to trial, testified that Davis suffered from a personality/behavioral disorder. Based upon his review of Davis' medical files, Dr. Coons opined that Davis did not suffer from paranoid schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder.

In addition, even assuming Davis presented evidence that he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia or some other psychotic disorder, he failed to present any evidence linking that condition to the crime. Such a situation would be similar to that in Madden, where, as noted, Madden failed to present evidence that he was more aggressive or violent because of his anti-social personality, or that he was incapable of controlling his impulses, or unable to distinguish right from wrong. Likewise, Davis failed to link any psychiatric problems he may have suffered to the murder of Yvette Johnson.

b.

On the other hand, the evidence adduced during the trial does indicate that Davis had engaged previously in sexually deviant behavior. After undergoing foot surgery at age six, Davis spent the next several weeks in the hospital. His medical records reveal that, during this period, the nurses reported that he continually made obscene statements, constantly referred to sexual matters, expressed his desire to have sexual relations with them, and masturbated frequently in front of them and other patients. At age 13, Davis was arrested for the attempted rape of a 35-year-old woman who lived in his neighborhood. This evidence above, however, does not establish a uniquely severe and permanent handicap from a violent sexual proclivity, nor that the criminal act was attributable to any such condition.

c.

In Barnard, "we recognized that an abused childhood could rise to the level of a Penry claim if the traumatic events caused psychological effects to which the criminal conduct was attributable." Madden, 18 F.3d at 308. As the district court noted, "there is no documented medical evidence of Davis' childhood abuse". (Emphasis by district court.) There is evidence, however, of parental neglect; and medical records indicate that Davis may have been subjected to abuse. Oftentimes, his mother would leave her six young children alone at home for days at a time. (But, at other times, Davis would be left with his grandmother.) Once, when Davis cut his hand severely, his mother waited two days before taking him to the hospital; this delay prevented the doctors from being able to suture the wound.

Davis' reliance solely upon medical records from his youth does not establish Penry-type evidence. There is no evidence that these incidents were of such a traumatic nature as to cause psychological effects, let alone, that Davis' criminal act was attributable to any resulting psychological problems.

In sum, even if we assume that Davis suffered from the claimed conditions, conspicuously absent at trial was any evidence tending to link these conditions with the crime.5 Although there was evidence of behavioral and mental problems, Davis failed to demonstrate how the crime was attributable to them. Needless to say, conclusory assumptions do not create a nexus. Accordingly, we conclude that there is insubstantial evidence that Davis either suffered from a uniquely severe and permanent handicap, or that his criminal actions were attributable to any such condition. Thus, on this basis alone, the Penry claim fails.

In the alternative, even assuming that Davis presented constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence, he failed to satisfy the second prong for relief on a Penry claim: that this evidence was beyond the effective reach of the jury. We examine each of the two special issues. But, before doing so, we note that, after instructing on the two special issues, the trial court instructed also that "[e]vidence presented in mitigation of the penalty may be considered should the jury desire, in determining the answers to either of the [special] issues".6

a.

As quoted, the first special issue asks whether the defendant acted "deliberately and with reasonable expectation that the death of the deceased ... would result?" The court instructed that "deliberately" meant "a manner of doing an act characterized by or resulting from careful consideration: 'a conscious decision involving a thought process which embraces more than mere will to engage in the conduct' ". As discussed below, and based upon this instruction and the mitigation instruction quoted above, we conclude that Davis' jury had an appropriate vehicle to consider his allegedly mitigating evidence; to require an additional (third) instruction for Davis would be to create a new rule of constitutional law on collateral review.

In examining the first special issue, we are mindful of the basic concern of Penry, mentioned earlier: "that defendants who commit criminal acts that are attributable to a disadvantaged background, or to emotional and mental problems, may be less culpable than defendants who have no such excuse". Penry, 492 U.S. at 319, 109 S.Ct. at 2947. Thus, the gist of Penry deals with the ability of a jury to consider a defendant's culpability and, in determining whether death is an appropriate punishment, to be able to exercise a "reasoned moral response" to evidence tending to mitigate that culpability.

Unlike the present case, however, the Penry jury was not instructed on the meaning of "deliberately". Proceeding on the assumption that the jury understood "deliberately" to mean something more than "intentionally", the Court recognized that "[b]ecause Penry was mentally retarded ... and thus less able than a normal adult to control his impulses or to evaluate the consequences of his conduct, ... [a] juror could ... conclude that Penry was less morally 'culpable than defendants who have no such excuse,' but who acted 'deliberately' as that term is commonly understood". Penry, 492 U.S. at 322-23, 109 S.Ct. at 2948 (quoting California v. Brown, 479 U.S. 538, 545, 107 S. Ct. 837, 841, 93 L. Ed. 2d 934 (1987) (O'Connor, J., concurring)). The "juror who believed that Penry's retardation and background diminished his moral culpability and made imposition of the death penalty unwarranted would be unable to give effect to that conclusion if the juror also believed that Penry committed the crime 'deliberately' ". Id., 492 U.S. at 323, 109 S. Ct. at 2949.

In short, the fault with the first special issue in Penry was that it failed to clarify the term "deliberately". The Court concluded that

[i]n the absence of jury instructions defining "deliberately" in a way that would clearly direct the jury to consider fully Penry's mitigating evidence as it bears on his personal culpability, we cannot be sure that the jury was able to give effect to the mitigating evidence of Penry's mental retardation and history of abuse in answering the first special issue.

Penry, 492 U.S. at 323, 109 S. Ct. at 2949.

On the other hand, the definition of "deliberately" provided to Davis' jury would have clearly directed Penry's jury to consider his mitigating evidence and how it bore on his personal culpability. As noted, under the special issues, Penry's jury was foreclosed from considering his inability "to control his impulses or to evaluate the consequences of his conduct". Had the Penry jury been instructed, as it was in this case, that it could consider evidence presented in mitigation of the penalty, as well as that "deliberately" was "characterized by or resulting from careful consideration", it would have been able to consider his uncontrollable impulses or lack of evaluation. (Emphasis added.)7

In sum, these additional instructions provided Davis' jury with a sufficient means to consider his mitigating evidence. To hold that they were inadequate would require us to announce a new rule of constitutional law on collateral review--which we are foreclosed from doing under Teague.

b.

Having determined that the jury had an adequate means, through the first special issue, to consider Davis' mitigating evidence, we need not consider whether the second special issue--continuing threat or dangerousness--provided another, separate, adequate means. See Clark v. Collins, 19 F.3d 959, 963 n. 14 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 115 S. Ct. 432, 130 L. Ed. 2d 344 (1994). But, in the alternative, we turn to that second issue. It concerns whether, in the future, "there is a probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society".

As discussed, even if the evidence is aggravating, as long as the mitigating aspect is within the effective reach of the jury, the requirements of the Eighth Amendment are satisfied. In Johnson v. Texas, --- U.S. ----, ----, 113 S. Ct. 2658, 2669, 125 L. Ed. 2d 290 (1993), the Court noted that the only way the evidence of Penry's mental condition could be considered within the second special issue (future dangerousness) was as an aggravating factor. Id. at ---- - ----, 113 S. Ct. at 2669-70. On the other hand, as also discussed, a Penry claim does not arise when constitutionally relevant evidence "can be given mitigating effect in some way under the Texas special issues". Motley, 18 F.3d at 1234 (emphasis in original).

As noted, Davis failed to present any constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence. Even so, the background evidence that he did present does not demonstrate that he was unable to learn from his mistakes. To the contrary, it demonstrated that he responded positively to a structured environment.

Gerald Frank McKimmey, who was the chief social worker at Austin State Hospital's adolescent unit, dealt with Davis during a 1979 admission when Davis was 16 years of age. McKimmey testified that Davis did well in the structured environment at the unit.8 Additionally, McKimmey read Davis' social history report that was prepared upon his admittance to the unit. Under recommendations, the report stated: "a proper placement outside the home can be obtained for this patient and he can gain some direction in a positive way. He has insight to this need and indicates he wants to find somewhere else to go other than into the home."

David Adcock, Davis' special education teacher in the sixth and seventh grades, testified that, although Davis was learning disabled and had low self-esteem, he was a "tender-hearted, a very kind young man". Another teacher at this same time described Davis as "cooperative ... very creative, very calm, anxious to please".

The evidence Davis did present indicates that, despite whatever condition he may have suffered under, Davis was subject to change and was not unable to learn from his mistakes. Based on this evidence, and the earlier quoted mitigating instruction, Davis' jury was not "compelled" to answer the second special issue in the affirmative; it could give mitigating effect to what evidence there was regarding his condition.9

In conclusion, there are independent bases for concluding that the Penry claim fails: (1) Davis failed to present constitutionally relevant mitigating evidence; but, assuming it was presented, that evidence was not beyond the effective reach of the jury under either (2) the first (deliberate act) or (3) second (continuing dangerousness) special issues. Because Davis does not make a claim within the ambit of Penry, he is seeking a new rule of constitutional law on collateral review. Accordingly, his claim is barred by Teague, and we REVERSE the district court on this issue.

The trial court instructed the jury that if it answered both special issues "yes", the sentence would be death; if it answered "no" to either, or both, the sentence would be confinement for life. See TEX.CODE CRIM.PROC.ANN. art. 37.071(e) (Supp.1986).10 It then instructed: "You may not answer any issue 'yes' unless you agree unanimously. You may not answer any issue 'no' unless ten or more jurors agree." See TEX.CODE CRIM.PROC.ANN. art. 37.071(d) (Supp.1986). But, pursuant to Texas law, it did not inform the jury that if it was unable to answer either special issue, Davis would be sentenced to life imprisonment. See TEX.CODE CRIM.PROC.ANN. art. 37.071(g) (Supp.1986).11

Davis' cross-appeal centers on the statutory proscription in article 37.071(g), imposed on the court and counsel, that precludes them from disclosing to the jurors or veniremen the effect of the failure to agree on a special issue. Davis contends that this proscription affected impermissibly the punishment phase of his trial, as well as jury voir dire. In raising his challenge to article 37.071(g), he maintains that he is seeking a "reasonable interpretation" of past precedent, not a new rule barred by Teague.

As a preliminary matter, we turn to Davis' contention that the district court erred in even considering whether his challenge to article 37.071(g) was foreclosed by Teague. He maintains that, because the State did not raise the Teague bar in either its response to his habeas petition or its summary judgment motion, the district court should not have considered Teague sua sponte.

Davis recognizes, however, that, even if the State does not raise Teague, a court still has discretion to consider it. "[A] federal court may, but need not, decline to apply Teague if the State does not argue it." Caspari v. Bohlen, --- U.S. ----, ----, 114 S. Ct. 948, 953, 127 L. Ed. 2d 236 (1994); see also Schiro v. Farley, --- U.S. ----, ----, 114 S. Ct. 783, 788, 127 L. Ed. 2d 47 (1994). But, Davis contends that, under the facts of this case, the district court abused its discretion. He fails, however, to develop this contention; and, we fail to see any abuse of discretion.12

As noted, the statutory proscription foreclosed the jury from being advised on the effect of a hung jury on either of the special issues. Davis maintains that such a limitation deprived the jury of relevant and material information that was crucial in its deliberative process.

In Webb v. Collins, 2 F.3d 93 (5th Cir.1993), we rejected a virtually identical contention. Webb contended that the statutory proscription violated the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments;13 but we held that consideration of such a claim was precluded by Teague. Id. at 96. Davis attacks Webb as "incorrectly decided". In addition to claiming this is not a "new rule", he tries to distinguish Webb by contending that it should have been decided based on a procedural bar, not on the basis of Teague.

"[T]here can be no dispute that a decision announces a new rule if it expressly overrules a prior decision." Graham, 506 U.S. at ----, 113 S. Ct. at 897. In any event, despite Davis' protestations, Webb is controlling precedent. E.g., Washington v. Watkins, 655 F.2d 1346, 1354 n. 10 (5th Cir.1981) (prior panel decision binds subsequent panel unless intervening en banc or Supreme Court decision), cert. denied, 456 U.S. 949, 102 S. Ct. 2021, 72 L. Ed. 2d 474 (1982).

Davis asserts next that the prohibition against informing a venireman of the effect of a hung jury deprived him of adequate and proper information on which to exercise a peremptory challenge. He claims that such an impediment to defense counsel's information seeking process during voir dire constitutes constitutional error.14

Regardless, Davis fails to identify any precedent indicating that he is not seeking a new rule on collateral review. Although defense counsel is entitled to question veniremen in order to exercise peremptory challenges intelligently, Davis has failed to demonstrate how disclosing the provisions of article 37.071(e) to a venireman affects this process. Concerns regarding whether a venireman will stand firm in the face of overwhelming opposition from fellow jurors can adequately be addressed without disclosing to that venireman the statutory effect of three or more "no" votes. Accordingly, Davis' second challenge to article 37.071(g) is foreclosed by Teague.

Under Teague, new rules may be applied in habeas proceedings only if they come within "one of two narrow exceptions". Saffle, 494 U.S. at 486, 110 S.Ct. at 1259. The first exception applies to new rules that place an entire category of conduct beyond the reach of the criminal law or addresses a "substantive categorical guarante[e] accorded by the Constitution". Id. at 494, 110 S.Ct. at 1263, (quoting Penry, 492 U.S. at 329, 109 S.Ct. at 2952). The second exception applies to new "watershed rules of criminal procedure" that are necessary to the fundamental fairness and accuracy of the criminal proceeding. Id., 494 U.S. at 495, 110 S. Ct. at 1264. Davis claims the latter exception is implicated in this case.

Davis failed, however, to raise this issue before the district court. Accordingly, this claim is not properly before us, and should not be considered for the first time on appeal. Earvin v. Lynaugh, 860 F.2d 623, 628 (5th Cir.1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1091, 109 S. Ct. 1558, 103 L. Ed. 2d 861 (1989). Even if this claim were properly before us, and as this court noted in Sawyer v. Butler, 881 F.2d 1273 (5th Cir.1989) (en banc), aff'd sub nom. Sawyer v. Smith, 497 U.S. 227, 110 S. Ct. 2822, 111 L. Ed. 2d 193 (1990), the second Teague exception is designed to redress constitutional violations that "so distort the judicial process as to leave one with the impression that there has been no judicial determination at all, or else skew the actual evidence crucial to the trier of fact's disposition of the case". Id. at 1294. "A rule that qualifies under this exception must not only improve accuracy, but also ' "alter our understanding of the bedrock procedural elements" ' essential to the fairness of a proceeding." Sawyer, 497 U.S. at 242, 110 S.Ct. at 2831 (quoting Teague, 489 U.S. at 311, 109 S.Ct. at 1076 (quoting Williams v. United States, 401 U.S. 667, 693, 91 S. Ct. 1171, 1180, 28 L. Ed. 2d 388 (1971) (Harlan, J., concurring in judgments in part and dissenting in part))). Davis has failed to demonstrate that the proscription of article 37.071(g) is of such a nature as to "so distort" the accuracy of the jury's answers to the special issues.

Noting that he has challenged the constitutionality of article 37.071(g) at every stage (trial, on direct appeal, in his petition for certiorari, and in his state and federal habeas proceedings), Davis encourages this court to create an additional exception to Teague: if a defendant demonstrates that he has raised his constitutional complaint in every forum, and it has been rejected (for reasons other than delay or procedural default), then, notwithstanding Teague, a federal court should review the merits of his challenge.

As before, Davis raises this for the first time on appeal. Regardless, in essence, he is not asking us to fashion an additional Teague exception. Rather, his contention is but a further attempt to have us apply the second Teague exception; one he does not meet.

For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM in part, REVERSE in part, and REMAND with instructions to deny habeas relief.

I agree with the panel majority that the jury was able to consider in some manner the evidence proffered by Davis as mitigating, see Motley v. Collins, 18 F.3d 1223, 1235 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 115 S. Ct. 418, 130 L. Ed. 2d 333 (1994), and that to grant Davis the federal habeas relief that he now requests would be to create a "new rule" of constitutional law, barred by Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 109 S. Ct. 1060, 103 L. Ed. 2d 334 (1989). I also agree that Webb v. Collins, 2 F.3d 93 (5th Cir.1993), controls the outcome of Davis' cross appeal. I concur therefore in the judgment affirming in part, reversing in part and remanding with instructions to deny habeas relief.