Supreme Court sides with inmates on two death penalty issues

[Judi Lynn]

2006, 11:36PM
Supreme Court sides with inmates on two death penalty issues
Rulings involve last-ditch appeals over injections, and DNA testing of old evidence

By PATTY REINERT
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court sided with death row inmates Monday, allowing last-minute challenges to lethal injection and new hearings for convicts who show that DNA testing of old evidence indicates they might be innocent.

The two cases have been closely watched as a barometer of where the high court is moving on death penalty issues with two new members, Chief Justice John Roberts and Samuel Alito.

In the lethal-injection case from Florida, the justices unanimously ruled that last-ditch constitutional appeals can be used to challenge as unconstitutionally "cruel and unusual punishment" the execution method used by most states and the federal government.

In the DNA case, the justices ruled 5-3 that Tennessee inmate Paul Gregory House has presented enough evidence "pointing to a different suspect" to warrant a new trial.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/3963767.html

[madrchsod]

1. i guess we have to take the good with the bad

interesting that they sided with the inmates..i guess the wingnuts will get all a tizzy about these rulings

[noonwitch]

2. I think most death penatly advocates want it to be fairly applied

When you read their comments at places like free republic, most are big on the DNA testing because they want the dp to be accurately applied.

I'm against the death penalty in any case, regardless of DNA or confessions. I think life in prison should mean life in prison, and that inmates serving life should have to perform work tasks that benefit society, if they are physically fit and there are ways to meet security issues (not chain gangs doing road work-that's dangerous to the public).

[Odin2005]

3. Why the hell don't they just give the inmate a heavy dose of barbituates..

...like they use for euthenizing pets instead of the overly complicated 3-drug that can cause enormous pain if the 1st drug wears off?

Anyway, I am for the death penalty, but only for treason, crimes against humanity, and terrorism resulting in many deaths.

[Eurobabe]

4. and in that case we can spare the 1st drug

and get right to the ones that inflict maximum pain, right?