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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2003

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified when federal law limits death penalty appeals.

In a 6-3 decision, the justices said a 1996 law applies to cases that were not in a substantive appeal phase. The practical effect is that a California man who was in the process of an appeal can't challenge his death penalty sentence because he didn't file court papers until three months after the law was enacted.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion. Justice David Souter wrote the dissent, which was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer.

The case is Woodford, Warden v. Garceau, No. 01-1862.

Get the Story:
Court Broadens Limits on Appeals (The Washington Post 3/26)
Death Penalty Lawyers' Duty Is Taken Up by Supreme Court (The New York Times 3/25)
Username: indianzcom, Password: indianzcom

Get the Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Thomas] | Concurrence [O'Connor] | Dissent [Souter]

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