Death Penalty

Inmate convulses and vomits during lethal injection in state with history of problem executions

Oklahoma inmate John Marion Grant convulsed and vomited Thursday during an execution that happened after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay in a 5-3 vote.

Oct 29, 2021 10:17 AM CDT

ABA Giving Day is an opportunity ‘to help ensure a just society,’ says ABA president

For the second year, the ABA is asking members to join in its efforts to address significant issues that affect their communities.

Oct 19, 2021 2:29 PM CDT

Texas death row inmate should get new trial because of judge’s anti-Semitic views, new judge says

A Dallas judge is recommending a new trial for a Jewish death row inmate after finding the judge who presided over his trial used offensive terms to describe Jewish people and the inmate in particular.

Oct 14, 2021 9:16 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Britney Spears’ father suspended as conservator; would-be Reagan assassin will be freed of limits

Britney Spears’ father is suspended as conservator Judge Brenda Penny of Los Angeles on Wednesday suspended Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, from his position as conservator for the pop singer. Penny appointed a California accountant temporarily to the position. A lawyer for Britney Spears wants the court to investigate claims…

Oct 1, 2021 12:09 PM CDT

Wrong assumption leads to $1,500 fine for prosecutor in case of death row inmate

A federal judge has reprimanded an assistant attorney general in Alabama and ordered her personally to pay a $1,500 fine for making an incorrect statement in a case of a death row inmate.

Sep 28, 2021 12:15 PM CDT

Top Texas court tosses capital conviction because prosecutor was also clerking for the judge

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a new trial to a death row inmate because one of the prosecutors was also clerking for the judge who oversaw the trial and considered the convicted man’s habeas application.

Sep 23, 2021 2:25 PM CDT

SCOTUS stays execution, agrees to hear request for pastor’s hands-on, out-loud prayer in death chamber

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday evening agreed to consider a Texas inmate’s request to have a Baptist pastor lay hands on him and pray out loud during his execution.

Sep 9, 2021 10:09 AM CDT

Ineffective counsel at two levels entitles death row inmate to new sentencing, 4th Circuit says

A federal appeals court has ruled that a death row inmate in South Carolina is entitled to a new sentencing hearing because of failures by his trial counsel and appellate counsel.

Aug 24, 2021 11:55 AM CDT

Dissenting judge says 9th Circuit took habeas dysfunction to new level with ‘hypothetical dicta’

A federal circuit judge’s acidic dissent last week used cookies and lemonade analogies to make a point about a binding dicta rule and its potentials for misuse.

Aug 23, 2021 3:00 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 7 federal death penalty requests withdrawn; ex-lawyer sentenced for advice on supplements

DOJ withdraws death penalty requests The U.S. Department of Justice has withdrawn requests for the death penalty in seven cases, reversing the stance taken by the department during the Trump administration. The DOJ is still seeking the death penalty in appeals of two other cases—that of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar…

Jul 23, 2021 2:32 PM CDT

Inmate convulses and vomits during lethal injection in state with history of problem executions

ABA Giving Day is an opportunity ‘to help ensure a just society,’ says ABA president

Texas death row inmate should get new trial because of judge’s anti-Semitic views, new judge says

Weekly Briefs: Britney Spears’ father suspended as conservator; would-be Reagan assassin will be freed of limits

Wrong assumption leads to $1,500 fine for prosecutor in case of death row inmate

Top Texas court tosses capital conviction because prosecutor was also clerking for the judge

SCOTUS stays execution, agrees to hear request for pastor’s hands-on, out-loud prayer in death chamber

Ineffective counsel at two levels entitles death row inmate to new sentencing, 4th Circuit says

Dissenting judge says 9th Circuit took habeas dysfunction to new level with ‘hypothetical dicta’

Afternoon Briefs: 7 federal death penalty requests withdrawn; ex-lawyer sentenced for advice on supplements

Sotomayor accuses majority of ‘linguistic contortion’ in rejecting ineffective assistance claim in death penalty case

AG Garland announces moratorium on federal executions; firing squad rule examined

DOJ seeks reinstatement of death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber

Arizona reportedly prepares gas chamber for execution by cyanide, the gas used at Auschwitz

Oklahoma attorney general abruptly announces resignation; his office is sorting out tribal case decision

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