U.S. Supreme Court

Anti-Lethal Injection Lawyers Struggle on Way to and in High Court

A public defender who helped prepare the case against lethal injections argued yesterday took “a humble road” to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the headline in the Kentucky Herald-Leader. Public defender David Barron, who contends the state’s three-drug death cocktail is cruel and unusual punishment, “drove to Washington in…

Jan 8, 2008 11:39 AM CST

Justice Kennedy Focuses on Lethal Injection Specifics

Updated: Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the possible swing vote in a lethal injection case before the U.S. Supreme Court, focused on the specifics of Kentucky’s procedure in oral arguments today. Kennedy questioned the lawyers about the mechanics of the procedure and the training and experience of the executioners, SCOTUSblog reports.…

Jan 7, 2008 5:38 PM CST

Supreme Court Reverses 7th Circuit’s Speakerphone Lawyer Ruling

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a man who contended his lawyer’s participation by speakerphone in a key hearing amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel. The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled (PDF posted by SCOTUSblog) for Joseph Van Patten, whose lawyer had participated by…

Jan 7, 2008 4:49 PM CST

Justices’ Questions Could Shine Light on Lethal Injection Secrecy

Lawyers challenging lethal injection procedures have been hampered by states’ refusal to disclose details about the three-drug cocktail and the identity of executioners. But justices’ questions in oral arguments today before the U.S. Supreme Court could help bring to light the controversy over access to information, the Los Angeles Times…

Jan 7, 2008 4:03 PM CST

NYT and WaPo Oppose Ky. Lethal Injection Procedure

The New York Times and the Washington Post have published editorials opposing Kentucky’s method of lethal injections as the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the issue today. Both newspapers oppose capital punishment, but they say if it is allowed, it should be done humanely. Both say Kentucky’s three-drug cocktail does…

Jan 7, 2008 2:00 PM CST

In Volume Veritas

Our expert Richard Brust sizes up six on SCOTUS

Jan 4, 2008 11:20 PM CST

Supreme Court to Review Death Penalty in Child Rape Case

The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to decide whether it’s constitutional to impose a death sentence for the crime of child rape. The case of 43-year-old Patrick Kennedy was among six the high court granted for review, SCOTUSBlog reports. Kennedy, who sits on death row for raping his 8-year-old stepdaughter,…

Jan 4, 2008 8:36 PM CST

Walter Dellinger to Take Over High Court Argument for Gun Ban

A lawyer who helped Washington, D.C., draft a U.S. Supreme Court brief defending its gun ban will take over as lead counsel on the Second Amendment case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. Walter Dellinger of O’Melveny & Myers, a former acting U.S. solicitor general, takes over the role of…

Jan 4, 2008 2:34 PM CST

Alan Morrison Fired from D.C. Gun Case

Well-known litigator Alan Morrison has been fired from his post as special counsel defending Washington, D.C.’s gun ban before the U.S. Supreme Court. Morrison learned of his firing by acting D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles in an e-mail from Nickles’ deputy, the Washington Post reports. Morrison had been hired by…

Jan 2, 2008 7:48 PM CST

Roberts Tries Gentler Approach on Judge Pay Issue

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. took a different tack when he asked for pay raises for judges in his annual year-end report on the federal judiciary. Last year, Roberts was forceful in calling for a pay hike, but this year he sounded a conciliatory note, the New York Times…

Jan 2, 2008 1:06 PM CST

Ginsburg and Scalia Celebrate New Year Together, Despite Differences

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia may be far apart in their views, but they have a lasting friendship. After Ginsburg joined Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, they began celebrating New Year’s Eve together along with their spouses and a few other couples, USA Today reports.…

Jan 2, 2008 12:36 PM CST

Tinkering with Lethal Injection

An Eighth Amendment challenge comes before the high court

Jan 1, 2008 9:33 PM CST

Electing to Litigate

As primaries begin, voters, state officials and lawyers brace for more and more lawsuits

Jan 1, 2008 8:21 PM CST

The Garcetti Effect

Government employees fear high court case undermines retaliation protections

Jan 1, 2008 8:14 PM CST

Justice Thomas Would Rather Be in His Motor Home

When you are out on the road, you might want to check out those carefree people who are lumbering down the highway in their motor homes—the driver you are passing could be Justice Clarence Thomas. The justice told a California audience Monday evening that he’s honored to be on the…

Dec 21, 2007 2:23 PM CST