DC Sniper Wants New Trial: The lawyer for John Allen Muhammad, who is facing a death sentence for his part as the brains behind the 2002 sniper murders of 10 people, is now arguing that his mental condition should have prevented him from representing himself for part of his 2003 trial. The AP story by Larry O'Dell reports that the federal appeals court in Richmond, VA is expected to rule on the claim in several weeks.
The House Case Ends: "Prosecutors dropped charges on Tuesday against a former inmate who spent two decades on Tennessee's death row before the U.S. Supreme Court questioned his guilt," report Beth Rucker and Duncan Mansfield for AP. See House v. Bell. "District Attorney Paul Phillips said he still believes Paul House, 47, was involved in the slaying of a young mother, but acknowledged in his petition that new evidence raises doubts that House acted alone and clouds what his role was.... Phillips' petition said the state can still prove House was involved in the crime, 'but the new evidence (including the forensic examinations) raises a reasonable doubt that he acted alone and the possibility that others were involved in the crime.' That compounded by the 'substantial sentence' already served led to requesting charges be withdrawn against House, who uses a wheelchair because he developed multiple sclerosis in prison." Bill Means at CNN reports that House has been "cleared." No, dropping charges against someone who has already done as much time as most noncapital murderers get does not equal clearing.
The House Case Ends: "Prosecutors dropped charges on Tuesday against a former inmate who spent two decades on Tennessee's death row before the U.S. Supreme Court questioned his guilt," report Beth Rucker and Duncan Mansfield for AP. See House v. Bell. "District Attorney Paul Phillips said he still believes Paul House, 47, was involved in the slaying of a young mother, but acknowledged in his petition that new evidence raises doubts that House acted alone and clouds what his role was.... Phillips' petition said the state can still prove House was involved in the crime, 'but the new evidence (including the forensic examinations) raises a reasonable doubt that he acted alone and the possibility that others were involved in the crime.' That compounded by the 'substantial sentence' already served led to requesting charges be withdrawn against House, who uses a wheelchair because he developed multiple sclerosis in prison." Bill Means at CNN reports that House has been "cleared." No, dropping charges against someone who has already done as much time as most noncapital murderers get does not equal clearing.
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