Supreme Court Dismisses Death Row Rights Appeal
Read this article in yesterday's New York Times:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court turned away an appeal Monday that contended 51 Mexicans on U.S. death row were improperly denied legal help, avoiding a dispute over whether international law is binding on American courts.The 5-4 decision dismissed the case of Jose Medellin, who argued he was entitled to a federal court hearing on whether his rights were violated when a Texas court tried and sentenced him to death in 1994 on rape and murder charges.
It means the case, which has stirred tensions with foreign countries over convictions of their citizens in violation of international law, will be hashed out in state courts. President Bush in February ordered new state court hearings for the 51 Mexicans, and the court cited that order on Monday.
Posted by beth at 11:07 AM
