US Edition
Alabama man, on death row since 1990, to get new trial
The Supreme Court's refusal to review affirms a ruling that prosecutors excluded Black jurors, enabling a new trial or release for Michael Sockwell after 35 years on death row.
- On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' summer ruling, clearing the path for Alabama death row inmate to seek a new trial.
- The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' June opinion found prosecutors intentionally struck potential Black jurors, violating Sockwell's 14th Amendment rights, and the Alabama Attorney General's Office sought Supreme Court review.
- The trial record shows that the jury voted 7-5 to recommend life but a judge overrode it with a death sentence, and prosecutors described the 1988 shooting as a murder-for-hire involving Isaiah Harris's wife.
- The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said Monday it intends to retry the case, with prosecutors facing a March 18 deadline to act or release Sockwell, after a federal judge's order.
- Defense lawyer Michael Rayfield said 'We'll continue to fight for his freedom,' after officials expressed appreciation for the decision, which could lead to a new trial after more than 35 years.
26 Articles
26 Articles
On Death Row Since 1990, Alabama Man to Get New Trial
One of Alabama's longest-serving death row inmates could soon receive a new trial after the US Supreme Court rejected the state's appeal of a lower court's ruling that prosecutors violated his rights by intentionally rejecting potential Black jurors. The US Supreme Court on Monday declined to review the summer ruling...
Alabama man on death row for 36 years may get new trial
The U.S. Supreme Court has paved the way for one of Alabama's longest-serving death row inmates to receive a new trial. On Monday, the court declined to review the state's appeal of a lower court ruling over the summer, which found that prosecutors in the original case violated the inmate's rights…
Michael Sockwell was sentenced to death over two decades ago. Now the U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed a complaint from the prosecution and cleared the way for a new trial.
Alabama man on death row since 1990 to get new trial
One of Alabama’s longest-serving death row inmates could soon receive a new trial after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state’s appeal of a lower court's ruling that prosecutors violated his rights by intentionally rejecting potential Black jurors.
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