Cite as: 505 U. S. 277 (1992)
O'Connor, J., concurring in judgment
To this list of cases cited by Justice Thomas, one could add the following, all of which applied a standard of de novo review. Leyra v. Denno, 347 U. S. 556, 558-561 (1954); United States ex rel. Jennings v. Ragen, 358 U. S. 276, 277 (1959); Rogers v. Richmond, 365 U. S. 534, 546 (1961); Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U. S. 335, 339-345 (1963); Pate v. Robinson, 383 U. S. 375, 384-386 (1966); Sheppard v. Maxwell, 384 U. S. 333, 349-363 (1966); McMann v. Richardson, 397 U. S. 759, 766-774 (1970); Lego v. Twomey, 404 U. S. 477, 482-490 (1972); Barker v. Wingo, 407 U. S. 514, 522-536 (1972); Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U. S. 471, 480-490 (1972); Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U. S. 778, 781-791 (1973); Schneckloth v. Bust-amonte, 412 U. S. 218, 222-249 (1973); Manson v. Brath-waite, 432 U. S. 98, 109-117 (1977); Watkins v. Sowders, 449 U. S. 341, 345-349 (1981); Jones v. Barnes, 463 U. S. 745, 750- 754 (1983); Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U. S. 420, 435-442 (1984); Moran v. Burbine, 475 U. S. 412, 420-434 (1986); Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U. S. 365, 383-387 (1986); Maynard v. Cartwright, 486 U. S. 356, 360-365 (1988); Duckworth v. Eagan, 492 U. S. 195, 201-205 (1989). There have been many others.
Sixth, Justice Thomas misdescribes Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (1979). Ante, at 290. In Jackson, the respondents proposed a deferential standard of review, very much like the one Justice Thomas discusses today, that they thought appropriate for addressing constitutional claims of insufficient evidence. 443 U. S., at 323. We expressly rejected this proposal. Ibid. Instead, we adhered to the general rule of de novo review of constitutional claims on habeas. Id., at 324.
Seventh, Justice Thomas mischaracterizes Teague v. Lane, 489 U. S. 288 (1989), and Penry v. Lynaugh, 492 U. S. 302 (1989), as "question[ing] th[e] standard [of de novo review] with respect to pure legal questions." Ante, at 291. Teague did not establish a "deferential" standard of review of state court determinations of federal law. It did not es-
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