Supreme Court Considers Extending Right to Counsel for Challenging Trial Lawyer's Ineffectiveness
March 11, 2013
On February 25, 2013, the United States Supreme Court heard argument in a Texas case about whether to extend the rule that allows a defendant to challenge his trial lawyer's ineffectiveness in federal court where he is unable to do so in state court.
Eleventh Circuit Grants Relief to Alabama Death Row Inmate Because Prosecutor Illegally Discriminated Against Black Jurors
March 6, 2013
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on February 27, 2013, ordered a new trial for Alabama death row inmate Ricky Adkins after finding that prosecutors at Mr. Adkins's trial illegally discriminated against African American jurors.
EJI to Honor Elaine Jones and Ben & Jerry's Founders at Benefit Featuring Roberta Flack
March 4, 2013
EJI will honor former President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund Elaine Jones and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield at its 2013 Benefit Dinner on March 11, 2013.
EJI's History of Racial Injustice Highlight: School Integration
February 28, 2013
(AP Photo, 63611230376)
Racial Comments by Federal Prosecutor Provoke Condemnation By Supreme Court Justices
February 26, 2013United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Stephen Breyer, issued a scathing condemnation of a federal prosecutor's "pernicious . . . attempt to substitute racial stereotype for evidence, and racial prejudice for reason" in a Texas drug conspiracy case.
Wyoming Abolishes Life Without Parole Sentences for Children
February 22, 2013
The Governor of Wyoming last week signed a new law that abolishes life-without-parole sentences for children.
State Finally Retreats from Sending Disabled Teenage Girl to Prison for Years for a $7.15 Theft
February 20, 2013
An intellectually disabled teenage girl in Florida faced up to 15 years in prison after Lee County prosecutors refused to charge her with a misdemeanor for allegedly serving as a lookout while another teen took $7.15 from a campsite trailer.
Alabama Death Row Inmate Wins New Trial
February 18, 2013
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday reversed the capital murder conviction and death sentence imposed on Lam Luong, finding that he was denied an impartial jury when the Mobile County trial court failed to move his trial or take other measures to protect against prejudicial publicity about the crime.
Texas Man Exonerated After Nearly 30 Years in Prison
February 16, 2013
Randolph Arledge was released from a Texas prison on Monday after serving nearly 30 years for a crime he did not commit.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Finds Death Penalty Is Unconstitutional
February 12, 2013
Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill explained in a recent dissent from an order setting an execution date for Jeffrey Wogenstahl that the "death penalty is inherently both cruel and unusual and therefore is unconstitutional."
