24 February 2006

Supreme Court rules that you are not necessarily entitled to introduce that evidence that could overturn your death sentence

You're innocent. You have an alibi. But you get convicted of murder anyway and you are sentenced to death.

In a last-ditch effort to prove your innocence, you ask the state to allow your mother to take the stand and present alibi-related testimony that could clear your name.

But, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the United States just said that you don't necessarily have the right to present that kind of evidence.

The case was Oregon v. Guzek, and the Supremes held that states are free to put limits on the innocence-related evidence that may be offered at sentencing. [Read story.]

To download a PDF of the Supreme Court's opinion in this case, click here.

This is some sad and scary news for the wrongfully convicted and those who care about them.

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