Sentencing/Post Conviction

Use of death penalty remains ‘near historic lows,’ while public support wanes

The federal effort to resume executions stands in stark contrast to a state trend away from capital punishment, according to a year-end report by the Death Penalty Information Center.

Dec 17, 2019 10:07 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Retired lawyer liable for son’s death; SCOTUS rejects homelessness case

93-year-old retired lawyer is found liable for son’s shooting death On Friday, jurors in San Diego found a 93-year-old retired lawyer liable for $9.5 million in damages for killing his son with a shotgun a year ago. The lawyer, Richard Peck, had claimed that he shot his son in self-defense.…

Dec 16, 2019 4:42 PM CST

Man is charged for allegedly throwing metal water pitcher at sentencing judge, hitting her in the head

A Baltimore man accused of throwing a metal water pitcher at his sentencing judge, hitting her in the forehead, has been charged in the incident.

Dec 12, 2019 12:28 PM CST

SCOTUS refuses to interfere with temporary halt to federal executions

The U.S. Supreme Court refused Friday to lift a preliminary injunction blocking four federal executions during a review of the lethal injection procedure adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Dec 9, 2019 11:00 AM CST

Prosecutor’s closing remarks about defense lawyers lead to new trial for murder defendant

A man who spent 13 years in a South Carolina prison for murder is entitled to a new trial because of the prosecutor’s “blatantly improper” remarks during closing arguments, the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled.

Dec 6, 2019 2:07 PM CST

Meet Paul Skalnik, one of the most prolific jailhouse informants in American history

Paul Skalnik learned about the benefits of being a jailhouse informant when he was in the Harris County Jail in Texas in 1978 for passing bad checks.

Dec 6, 2019 12:15 PM CST

Defendant can be required to write essay on respect for judiciary and to delete negative comments, appeals court says

A judge didn’t err when he ordered a frequent Facebook poster who violated a ban on courtroom recording to write an essay on respect for the judiciary and to delete negative posts, according to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Dec 6, 2019 9:59 AM CST

What goes on in the mind of a sentencing judge?

A new book by Judge Frederic Block gives a behind-the-scenes look at a judge’s thoughts and feelings when imposing punishments. Block is candid and self-reflective in the book and also wonders where the line should be drawn in exercising judicial powers.

Dec 4, 2019 6:00 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: DC Circuit doesn’t disturb blocked executions; polite bank robber entitled to lower sentence

DC Circuit declines to stay or vacate injunction stopping federal executions The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has declined to stay or vacate a judge’s injunction delaying the executions of four federal inmates. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan had ruled that the inmates were likely…

Dec 2, 2019 3:57 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Subpoenas reportedly seek Giuliani-related information; 3 exonerated after 36 years in prison

Subpoenas reportedly seek information related to Giuliani and his consulting firm Federal prosecutors who are investigating two associates of lawyer Rudy Giuliani have issued subpoenas seeking documents relating to the lawyer and his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, according to anonymous sources who spoke with multiple publications. The investigation also reportedly…

Nov 26, 2019 4:45 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Barr sees ‘perfect storm of screw-ups’ in Epstein death; law school gives up ABA accreditation

AG Barr concludes Jeffrey Epstein’s death due to ‘perfect storm of screw-ups’ U.S. Attorney General William Barr says he initially had suspicions about multimillionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein’s jailhouse death, but he eventually concluded that the convicted sex offender died by suicide. Barr told the Associated Press that he reviewed security…

Nov 25, 2019 4:09 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Conviction tossed because of juror’s love pursuit; suit alleges ‘perilous’ prison environment

Appeals court tosses conviction because juror sought relationship with witness A New York appeals court has tossed the attempted murder conviction of Tysheem McGregor because of a juror’s romantic interest in a prosecution witness who was testifying as part of a cooperation agreement. The juror wrote to the witness during…

Nov 22, 2019 4:15 PM CST

Texas court stays execution of Rodney Reed in case that attracted high-profile supporters

The highest criminal court in Texas has halted the execution of inmate Rodney Reed to allow a trial court to consider his claim of actual innocence along with other allegations.

Nov 18, 2019 3:18 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law students object to ‘Carey Law’ name; First Step Act beneficiary charged with murder

‘Carey Law’ doesn’t sit well with some Pennsylvania students and grads Law students and alumni at the University of Pennsylvania are not happy about its Nov. 8 name change and have shared their displeasure in a petition. The law school, formerly known as the University of Pennsylvania Law School, will…

Nov 11, 2019 4:19 PM CST

Inmate tells court he fulfilled his life sentence after briefly dying

An Iowa inmate who was revived at the hospital claims his brief death means he has fulfilled the terms of his life sentence and he should be released from prison.

Nov 11, 2019 10:35 AM CST