[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, CONN., DEL., MD., FLA., IND., ARK., TENN.
Nov. 26 TEXAS: https://www.change.org/petitions/dallas-county-district-attorney-craig-watkins-stop-the-execution-of-darlie-routier-release-this-innocent-crime-victim?share_id=OSEQsRVApE (source: change.org) CONNECTICUT: Conn. Home Invasion Survivor Welcomes Baby Boy The Connecticut doctor whose wife and 2 daughters were killed in a 2007 home invasion has a new infant son. The baby was born over the weekend to Dr. William Petit and his new wife, Christine, whom he met while she was volunteering for the charity foundation that Petit created in memory of his wife Jennifer Hawke-Petit and their daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela. The Petit Family Foundation helps educate young people, improve the lives of those with chronic illnesses and protect those affected by violence. Hawke-Petit's mother, Marybelle Hawke, has said her family welcomed the marriage and encouraged Petit to find peace and joy in his life. The couple announced shortly before their first wedding anniversary Aug. 5 that they were expecting a child. The family was held hostage for hours and their home in Cheshire was set on fire. Petit was beaten, tied up and taken to the basement, but he managed to escape and crawl to a neighbor's house for help. 2 men, Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes, are awaiting execution for killing Hawke-Petit and the couple's daughters. Petit has campaigned against the repeal of Connecticut's death penalty. He said in October that he is considering running for Congress. (source: Associated Press) DELAWARE: The case to be made for death penalty's repeal I am writing this letter in order to share some conclusions, based on research data, concerning the death penalty. I hope readers will take the time to reflect upon this important information. 1.The vast majority of law enforcement professionals surveyed agree capital punishment does not deter violent crime any better than a sentence of life without parole. 2. It costs far more to execute a person than to keep him or her in prison for life. 3. Since 1973, more than 130 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence. 4. Capital punishment prolongs pain for victim's families, dragging them through a long and difficult process. 5. Dozens of prisoners have been executed despite suffering from serious mental illness. 6. The death penalty is imposed disproportionately upon those whose victims are white, offenders who are people of color and on those who are poor and uneducated and concentrated in certain geographic regions of the country. Please share this information with your stare representative and ask for repeal of the death penalty in Delaware. Bill FitzhughMiddletown (source: Letter to the Editor, Delawareonline.com) MARYLAND: Maryland's highest court has rejected a claim by a man on death row that his sentence is unconstitutional. The Court of Appeals ruled on Monday against Jody Lee Miles' claim that the Maryland Constitution limits capital punishment to treason against the state government. The Daily Record reports (http://bit.ly/1bQyzeM) that the court ruled 6-1. Miles was sentenced to death for the 1997 robbery and murder of theater manager Edward Atkinson of Salisbury. He is 1 of 5 men on death row in Maryland. Maryland lawmakers abolished the death penalty this year, but the five men had been sentenced before the law was abolished. Monday's ruling only affects the 5 condemned men. (source: Associated Press) FLORIDA: Friends: It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Delbert Tibbs. Delbert was Florida's 4th exonerated death row survivor. He was a seminarian and warrior-poet for peace, justice, and humanity. His leadership and writings touched many thousands. He was the lead character in theaward-winning play, The Exonerated. Like most of Florida's 24 exonerated death row survivors, he received no compensation from the state. His time on death row may have robbed him of his health, but it could not take his grace, dignity, and spirit. Delbert fought tirelessly to abolish the death penalty. He did not live to see it end in Florida, the state that wrongfully sentenced him and so many other innocent people to death. He had many friends and colleagues and will be greatly missed. We will remember and pay tribute to him in the struggle to end executions in our time. One for Ten recently made a 6 minute video of Delbert Tibbs. Pete Seeger wrote this song while Delbert was on Florida???s Death Row: Delbert Tibbs by Pete Seeger I'm sitting here on Death Row, Delbert Tibbs my name. Say, won't somebody listen to how that I been framed? Don't they know my jury was all white? Don't they know the facts they kept from light? I need a poem to tell how I been framed I need a poem to expose this racist game Say, don't we all need a poem to break these iron bars? Wouldn't you like
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----COLO., ARIZ., CALIF., USA
Nov. 26 COLORADO: Judge rebuffs move for more secrecy in Holmes case The judge in the Colorado theater shootings has rebuffed a request by the defense to further limit public access to documents in the case. The ruling on Friday denied a defense request for the court to stop posting documents online and to deny public access to transcripts and to a weekly summary of court actions. It marked a rare victory for public access in the case against James Holmes. A gag order prevents attorneys from discussing the issues publicly outside of court. In his ruling, Arapahoe County District Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. also noted that he has repeatedly limited public access to documents at the request of attorneys or on his own. Holmes' lawyers argued that publicity surrounding the case threatens to make it impossible to find an unbiased jury. But Samour disagreed, saying the defense had not made a persuasive argument to suppress the transcripts and docket. He also said the public and the media have an interest in monitoring the case and that posting documents online was the most efficient way to make records available. Holmes, 25, is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the July 2012 attack at a movie theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to multiple charges of murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Samour also pointed out the results of Holmes' sanity evaluation done last summer at the state mental hospital remain secret, as does a notebook that Holmes mailed before the shootings to a psychiatrist who had been treating him. The secrecy prompted the defense to aggressively pursue the identities of confidential sources that Fox News reporter Jana Winter cited in reporting that the notebook contained violent drawings. Defense lawyers say Winter's sources violated the gag order, and they want her to reveal their names. Winter, who is based in New York, argues state shield laws there and in Colorado protect her from having to identify her sources. She has said she won???t identify them in any event, even though she could be jailed for contempt of court. Media groups including The Associated Press objected to the defense request to limit public access. So did some victims who want court documents for lawsuits. A trial date is on hold while Samour considers a prosecution request for further psychiatric evaluation of Holmes. (source: Associated Press) ARIZONA: Jodi Arias Trial News Update: Arias Tweets About Arizona Prison While Awaiting Retrial, Facing Death Penalty Although Jodi Arias is currently awaiting a retrial in which she might be sentenced with the death penalty, the convicted killer seemed more concerned about how much water the prison she's locked in wasted last week. Arias, who is being held in a women's prison in Maricopa County, Arizona, revealed in a series of tweets that one of the toilets in the prison got stuck on flush mode for over 24 hours. Yesterday around 4:30 p.m. a toilet upstairs got stuck on flush...26 hours later, it's still flushing, she tweeted Friday night. I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of gallons of water wasted that makes, she added. And finally on Saturday afternoon she wrote, The toilet finally stopped flushing. Is the Colorado River now down to a trickle? The California native was convicted of 1st-degree murder on May 8 in the ghastly 2008 death of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix, Ariz. home. However, the same jury that found her guilty failed to reach a unanimous decision on her sentencing. As a result, a retrial will be held later this year to determine whether she should be sentenced to death, life in prison or life with a chance of release after serving 25 years. She remains behind bars and is forbidden from accessing cell phones or computers. However, her Twitter account has remained active. Last week, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens denied several requests motioned by her lawyers in her upcoming retrial. In her ruling, Judge Stephens denied the defense's request for sequestration since she granted the defense's motion to ban live TV coverage of the retrial. However, she is permitting reporters to attend the proceedings in addition to one still camera photographer inside the courtroom. The Court finds the interests of justice do not require sequestration of the jury of the sentencing phase retrial in this case, wrote Stephens according to HLN-TV. In the same ruling, Stephens said Arias' lawyers had failed to prove the media glare required a change of venue. Therefore, the retrial will take place at Maricopa County Courthouse in Arizona like Arias' 1st trial. Stephens also denied the defense's request to individually question potential jurors during jury selection. Instead, candidates will be questioned in groups of 10 for
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
Nov. 26 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Worker could face death sentence over 0.8g of opium; Suspect accused of intending to promote drug to others Drugs prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a worker accused of possessing 0.8 grams of opium for promotional purposes. The 35-year-old Iranian worker, S.S., was said to have possessed a green plastic pouch containing less than one gram of opium, which he intended to promote to others. Prosecutors have asked for the implementation of article 48 of the anti-narcotics law, which stipulates that a suspect who possesses drugs for promotional purposes could face the death sentence or life imprisonment. Yes, I possessed the opium for my personal consumption and not for promotional purposes or trading, said S.S. before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday. According to the charge sheet the defendant possessed drugs for promotional purposes and took morphine and codeine. The defendant confessed to taking drugs. When asked by presiding judge Mohammad Jamal if he was capable of hiring a lawyer, S.S. replied: I cannot do so. An Emirati anti-narcotics policeman testified that an informant - the suspect's neighbour - told them that the Iranian suspect possessed drugs that he intended to promote to others. Drugs prosecutors provided us with a search and arrest warrant and allowed us to arrest the suspect in a sting operation. A police team headed towards the defendant's home in Naif. The informant was the suspect's neighbour and lived in the same building. I was present with the informant when he called S.S. and asked him to meet us in front of the building. When the defendant came the informant asked him if he had any drugs. The Iranian said he would provide him with a piece of opium for Dh500 and would provide him with another piece later. Member of the police squad raided the place and arrested the defendant. Police seized the opium piece hidden in his pocket, said the policeman. Prosecution records said the defendant tested positive for drugs. An Emirati anti-narcotics lieutenant told prosecutors that he committed a human error when he mistakenly wrote the incorrect time of the suspect's arrest in the police report. Presiding judge Jamal said the court will appoint a lawyer to defend S.S. when it reconvenes on December 17. Murderers to face firing squad in DubaiDubai's highest court upholds death sentence against duo who killed compatriot 2 Bangladeshi men who killed their compatriot and stole his cigarettes have lost their appeal and will face a firing squad. On Monday the 2 defendants, 27-year-old M.G. and 22-year-old R.N., failed to convince the Dubai Cassation Court to reduce their sentence after contending they killed the victim in self-defence. Court records said the defendants planned the murder and lured the victim, identified as Rahimuldeen, to meet them in a sandy spot behind their labour accommodation in Al Rashidiya. They then battered his head with a metal rod and a concrete block. They also kicked and beat him until they were sure he was dead. The defendants also stole Rahimuldeen's cigarettes, mobile phone and wallet. A 3rd Bangladeshi suspect, R.A., was cleared of involvement in the murder. I assaulted him but that was in self-defence. I defended myself after we exchanged blows. He attacked me first and I hit him back, said M.G., who records said suffered an injury to his left arm. R.N. pleaded not guilty citing self-defence. R.A. denied any involvement in the murder or theft. Financial dispute According to court records, the victim's brother, S.A., said the murder was discovered after a financial dispute as M.G. owed his brother Dh3,500. Rahimuldeen lent M.G. money that the latter failed to pay back within 2 months. I saw them fighting once when we were in the market. They also fought a 2nd time in the room which we shared. I was worried when my brother did not return from his night shift. His mobile phone was switched off. M.G. answered in a suspicious manner when I asked him about my brother's whereabouts. M.G. didn't participate with us in searching for my brother. Rahimuldeen's body was discovered behind the accommodation, S.A. said. Court records said investigations led to the arrest of the 3 defendants. During prosecution and police questioning, the defendants confessed that they fought with Rahimuldeen and beat him. The defendant's court-appointed lawyers contended their clients did not intend to murder their victim. They asked the court to modify the charges from murder to assault which led to Rahimuldeen's death. (source for both: Gulf News) JAPAN: Death penalty to stand in 2005 Hyogo killings The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday by a 47-year-old man who was sentenced to death for killing 2 women and dismembering their corpses in Hyogo Prefecture in 2005. The Supreme Court's No. 1 Petty Bench
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----PENN., LA., MO., USA
Nov. 26 PENNSYLVANIA: Death sentence for 2-time York County murderer affirmed by Pa. Supreme Court A convicted 2-time York County murderer who took his wife and child to the scene of his latest slaying has had his death sentence upheld by the state Supreme Court. The high court's ruling comes nearly 3 years after Kevin E. Mattison, 37, was found guilty by a county jury of 1st-degree murder for the December 2008 robbery and shooting of 34-year-old Christian Agosto in a York City apartment. That was the 2nd time Mattison was convicted of murder. As a teenager, he pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder for killing a man during a street fight in Maryland in 1995. According to investigators, Mattison committed the York slaying amid someone else's lover's dispute. Agosto's girlfriend suspected him of 2-timing her, and a friend of hers recruited Mattison to accompany the woman to Agosto's apartment to confront him. Mattison, who had his wife and son with him, drove the girlfriend to Agosto's home, where she caught Agosto with another woman. While the 2 were arguing, Mattison apparently realized Agosto was a drug dealer and decided to rob him, Justice Max Baer noted in the Supreme Court's recently issued majority opinion on Mattison's case. Mattison went into the apartment with his gun drawn, prosecutors said, and in front of an eye witness robbed Agosto of a bag of marijuana, then shot Agosto in the head. A month later, police captured Mattison as he tried to hide in a house in Maryland. He was convicted of Agosto's murder, plus charges of robbery and burglary, in December 2010. The fact that Mattison was a 2-time killer and had shot Agosto while committing other crimes prompted the York County District Attorney's Office to seek the death penalty. In affirming Mattison's sentence of capital punishment, the Supreme Court concluded that the evidence solidly supports his conviction for Agosto's murder, Baer wrote. He found that Mattison's argument that someone else killed Agosto is not persuasive. (source: Pennlive.com) LOUISIANA: Grand jury indicts Opelousas man in wife's death An Opelousas man who told police he couldn't wait to kill again after he allegedly stabbed his wife multiple times last month has been charged with 1st-degree murder. St. Landry Parish District Attorney Earl Taylor's office said in a release Tuesday that Hank Moran, 44, faces life in prison or the death penalty if he's convicted of the 1st-degree murder charge issued by a grand jury Nov. 21. Taylor was not immediately available for comment Tuesday morning. According to an Opelousas police report, Moran was arrested around dawn Oct. 8 after he was found standing over Constance Moran's body, holding a knife in his right hand. She was 57. Moran was placed on suicide watch at the St. Landry Parish Jail in the days after the killing, then transferred to the Pine Prairie Correctional Center about 30 miles northwest of Opelousas. The St. Landry Parish grand jury indicted Moran on Nov. 21. (source: The Advocate) Sentencing of baby killer postponed until February A Shreveport man convicted of the 1st degree murder of his 1-year-old son will have to wait almost 3 months to be formally sentenced to the death penalty. Rodricus Crawford, who was convicted Nov. 12 in the February 2012 death of his baby, was scheduled to be sentenced today, but Judge Joe Bleich continued the sentencing until Feb. 21, 2014. The Caddo Parish jury that convicted Crawford also voted in favor of the death penalty after a full day of testimony during the penalty phase of the trial. In Louisiana, conviction of first degree murder is only punishable by death or life imprisonment without possibility of parole, probation or suspension. (source: Arklatexhomepage.com) INDIANAnew death sentence William Gibson gets death penalty A judge on Tuesday gave the death penalty to a southern Indiana man convicted of killing his late mother's 75-year-old best friend. 56-year-old William Clyde Gibson of New Albany will be executed. The Floyd County jury that convicted him last month of murder in the April 2012 slaying of Christine Whitis decided he should face execution. Floyd County Judge Susan Orth was required by law to follow the jury's death-penalty recommendation. Gibson still faces 2 murder trials in connection with the 2012 slaying of a woman nearby Charlestown and the 2002 death of a Florida woman in Floyd County. Prosecutor Keith Henderson has said he intends to pursue trials in both of those deaths. (source: WISH news) MISSOURI: Jefferson City man given death penalty for fatal shooting in 2009 A Jefferson City man has sentenced to die for the 2009 killing of a woman with whom he had a relationship while she was separated from her husband, who was also shot to death. Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce agreed with a jury's
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
Nov. 26 INDIA: Indian dentist couple handed life sentence for killing daughter An Indian court sentenced a dentist couple to life in prison on Tuesday for the murder of their 14-year-old daughter and a Nepalese servant 5 years ago, concluding a sensational trial that has sharply divided public opinion. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India's federal detective agency, had sought the death penalty for Rajesh and Nupur Talwar. The couple will appeal against the guilty verdict handed down by the same local court on Monday. Their daughter Aarushi was found with her throat slit at the family home in Noida, an affluent town of new shopping malls and offices near Delhi, in 2008. Suspicion fell on family servant Hemraj, but his body was found at the property the next day. Early in the investigation, police alleged Rajesh had murdered Aarushi and Hemraj in a rage after finding them in a compromising situation. It was the kind of crime more often associated with rural parts of India where honour killings are not uncommon than with a successful, middle class family living near the capital - helping to explain the huge interest it has generated. The Talwars deny the murder and blame sensational media coverage for demonising them and damaging their defence. The initial police investigation was widely criticised, prompting the CBI to take over the case. It based its prosecution largely on circumstantial evidence, but said it was enough to prove that the couple had committed the crime. The Talwars' lawyers highlighted the lack of hard evidence. One of them, Rebecca John, told the CNN-IBN news channel: This is nothing but a witch hunt. (source: Reuters) ___ DeathPenalty mailing list DeathPenalty@lists.washlaw.edu http://lists.washlaw.edu/mailman/listinfo/deathpenalty Search the Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/deathpenalty@lists.washlaw.edu/ ~~~ A free service of WashLaw http://washlaw.edu (785)670.1088 ~~~
