[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----GA., FLA., OKLA., S.DAK., UTAH, ID., NEV., CALIF., USA
March 31 GEORGIA: Capital crime defendants appear in Dougherty Co. court On Thursday, 3 defendants went before Dougherty County Superior Court Judge Denise Marshall, each one charged with a capital crime. "These are matters that we believe is appropriate for a jury to determine the appropriate punishment," explained District Attorney Greg Edwards. The hearing is part of the early stages in what is a long process for 2 of the men who are charged with crimes that happened in the last year. But for the 3rd man, who has been behind bars for 7 years, his trial date is expected sooner. Arelious Haynes, Shanorris Taylor and Gregory Evans have been indicted by a grand jury on aggravated statutory circumstances. Prosecutors are calling the murders in court "vile, horrible and inhumane." Haynes is charged with murdering 2 women in 2017. The indictment reveals 2 children under the age of 10 saw the crime committed. Taylor is charged with murdering a mentally disabled person, Javis Walker, who tried to stop a robbery at an East Albany Dollar General. And Evans' case dates back to 2011. He is charged with the murder of a 19-month-old child. "First a jury determines whether or not an individual is guilty or not guilty, then the jury determines the punishment," explained Edwards. Haynes, Taylor and Evans are only 3 of 7 people in Dougherty County the state is seeking the death penalty for. It's a small percentage of cases in relation to the number of homicides Dougherty county has seen in the last few years. "Every homicide is not a death penalty case," said Edwards. Capital punishment can take longer to prosecute. Evans has been locked up since 2011 with more than 100 motions filed since then. He's an example of how slowly the wheels of justice turn in a death penalty trial. "The process that's outlined requires the court take steps to make sure every potential issue and right of the defendant is recognized and addressed by the pre-trial motions so everything that can be considered is considered before we get to the trial," explained Edwards. The men did not speak much in court on Thursday other than claiming their rights to remain silent. Haynes did show emotion and could be seen wiping his face when the prosecutors read him his charges. Edwards is leading the cases for the murder trials. He is being assisted by other attorneys within his office. Georgia Capital Defender Gerald Word is representing the defense, along with another capital defender in the state's office. (source: WALB news) FLORIDA: 'Wild Bill' will be his own attorney in murder trial "Wild Bill" Roberts, charged with killing his girlfriend in December and riding around with her body in the trunk for 4 days, told a judge Thursday he wanted to fire his attorney, represent himself and go to trial in June. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the 1st-degree murder case. Roberts, who has a long, violent criminal history, told Circuit Judge Mark Nacke he had a "conflict" with his court-appointed attorney, Candace Hawthorne. He said he was not suicidal and is not angry with the guards at the jail. "But that right there, that's got my temperature to the boiling point," he said, pointing to Hawthorne. Roberts, 56, was arrested on Dec. 21 following a high-speed, early morning car chase down State Road 44 after police recognized Elizabeth Hellstrom's Toyota in DeLand. She had been reported missing. The chase ended in a shower of sparks when the car ran over police stop sticks and the rubber on the tires disintegrated, forcing the car to ride on the rims. Sheriff's deputies followed the freshly cut grooves in the road into the Royal Trails subdivision. Roberts was arrested at his house nearby. Hellstrom's decaying body was in the trunk next to a shovel and a propane tank. Nacke did everything he could to convince Roberts not to act as his own attorney. He also said he could find no fault with Hawthorne, who asked a psychologist to examine him to see if he was competent to aid in his defense. "How is she going to represent me if I don't talk to her?" Roberts said. Nacke said it sounded like he didn't want any attorney to represent him. "I didn't say that. I said I'm not saying anything to that one over there. She ain't nothing but a plea-bargain attorney. She's going to cop me out and get somebody else out of jail. It ain't happening. Not on me. Tell her to go play golf down at Mission Inn." In addition to the competency question, Roberts has been demanding a speedy trial. In the end, Nacke granted Roberts' request to act as his own counsel, and he set the trial date for June 4. According to arrest reports, a friend called police to say that Roberts texted him claiming Hellstrom passed out, that 30 anti-seizure pills were missing and that he tried to revive her. The friend later called Roberts, who said that she had died and he put her
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
March 31 BAHRAIN: Torture investigator orders new Bahrain death penalty hearing Acting on recommendations from UK-trained torture investigators, Bahrain's Attorney General has requested that the country's highest court reconsider the death sentences handed to 2 men convicted on the basis of forced confessions obtained through torture. Mohamed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa were sentenced in December 2014 for supposed involvement in a bombing that killed a police officer in Bahrain. The country's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), a UK-trained body set up to investigate allegations of misconduct and torture, recommended the case was referred to the Court of Cassation after new medical evidence emerged. The Attorney General of Bahrain, Dr Ali bin Fadhl Al-Buainain, said in a statement posted on social media on 28 March 2018 that the cases were being referred "in accordance with the requirements of justice." This comes at a time when there are other facing imminent execution, Including Maher Abbas who has had his death sentence confirmed despite Bahrain's highest court accepting that he was convicted on the basis of a confession obtained through torture. Reprieve and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) are now calling for: the SIU to make public its findings and the details of its investigation into Mohamed and Husain's torture allegations all imminent executions to be stayed pending SIU investigations into all further torture allegations the UK and EU to commit to trial monitoring for any new trials Maya Foa, Director of Reprieve, said: "This belated recognition that Mohamed and Husain's trial was unfair is welcome but it comes after they have already suffered torture, including being stripped naked, beaten with iron rods and having their families threatened with rape. Bahrain must now go further and allow the Special Investigation Unit to review all death penalty cases where there were allegations of torture. This must include the case of Maher Abbas, who is facing imminent execution despite concerns expressed by Bahrain's highest court that he was coerced into confessing." Sayed Alwadaei, Director of Advocacy at BIRD, said: "Mohamed and Husain should never have faced a death sentence. It is important that the full findings of this investigation are shared with their lawyers immediately so we can know the truth of the abuse they suffered. Any retrial must meet international standards and in the meantime both men should be released and allowed to return to their families after more than 3 years of imprisonment and abuse." (source: ekklesia.co.uk) SOUTH SUDAN: Appeal could save SA man from death penalty in South Sudan A month after William Endley was sentenced to death, his family are hoping an appeal will save him from the gallows. The ex-South African National Defence Force (SANDF) colonel was sentenced to hang in a South Sudanese court on February 23. He was charged with espionage and conspiring to overthrow the government. But in the days following his sentencing, Endley has filed an appeal. The appeal, according to Charmaine Quinn, Endley's sister, means that the South Sudanese courts can't set an execution date. Endley was also sentenced to 9 years in jail. "The appeal deals with the fact that he had an unfair trial, that there was no formal evidence and that he should have been released according to the December Peace Accord," explains Quinn, who lives in Cape Town. During his trial, none of his defence witnesses appeared in court. But following his court appearance, Endley's prison conditions have improved. He has now been moved to the Juba Central Prison. He was previously held in the notorious headquarters of the South Sudanese National Security Service, which is known as the Blue House. "He is allowed more phone calls now," says Quinn. "He is positive but I can hear that it is taking its toll on him." Endley's family have also written letters to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Lindiwe Sisulu, the minister who heads the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco). "We're just hoping and praying that we get some light at the end of the tunnel," says Quinn. The family are also hoping that Dirco is trying to secure his release through behind-the-scenes negotiations, though they are not aware of these. Dirco did not respond to the Saturday Star this week. Quinn explained that it is now easier for embassy staff to visit her brother, now that he is in the Juba Central Prison. The family are also able to send him R2000 a month, for food and medicines. "What does concern me is that he is kept in chains." Endley became a defence contractor after he left the SANDF and was hired by former rebel leader Riek Machar as an adviser. He was tasked with helping integrate the rebel forces into the national army, in accordance with a peace agreement. But this agreement
