Summer 2013

Death Penalty

Dykema Gossett Wins New Trial for David Perkins

Susanna Bagdasarova

Volunteer attorneys at Dykema Gossett PLLC achieved a significant victory for their client David Aaron Perkins this spring when a judge reversed his conviction.

Death Penalty

Carrington Coleman and Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons Win New Trial for Texas Man

Victoria Edel

On April 2, 2013, a team of volunteer attorneys from Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal LLP and Rothgerber, Johnson & Lyons LLP won a major victory for their client Manuel Velez when a Texas district court judge reversed his conviction and ordered a new trial.

Prosecution

Fourth Circuit Orders Justin Wolfe’s Release, Leaving Open the Possibility of a New Trial

Victoria Edel

In May 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit overturned the ruling of a district court judge who ordered former death row inmate Justin Wolfe to be released without the possibility of re-prosecution.

Disability

Mayer Brown Wins Life Sentence for Intellectually Disabled Death Row Prisoner

Victoria Edel

On February 6, 2013, volunteer attorneys from Mayer Brown won a new sentence for their client when the State agreed to drop pursuit of the death penalty.

Civil Rights & Constitution

U.S. Supreme Court Extends Ruling Concerning Conduct of Counsel in State Post-Conviction Proceedings

Becca Eden

On May 28, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Trevino v. Thaler, extending last term’s landmark decision in Martinez v. Ryan by a 5-4 majority.

Civil Rights & Constitution

U.S. Supreme Court Dismisses Louisiana Case Regarding the Right to a Speedy Trial

Becca Eden

On April 29, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed its decision to hear a case about the Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial and dismissed it as improvidently granted.

Courts & Judiciary

U.S. Supreme Court Recognizes Actual Innocence Exception to AEDPA

Susanna Bagdasarova

On May 28, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA), which restricts prisoners’ habeas corpus rights, contains an “actual innocence” exception for petitions filed outside of the law’s strict statute of limitations.

Death Penalty

Eleventh Circuit Rejects Appeal for John Ferguson

Susanna Bagdasarova

In May 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected an appeal by John Errol Ferguson, a Florida prisoner who has been on death row for more than three decades. Mr. Ferguson, a prisoner with a 40-year history of mental illness and a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, was scheduled to be executed in October of 2012.

Death Penalty

North Carolina Repeals Historic Racial Bias Law, Creating Uncertainty About Pending Cases

Victoria Edel

On June 19, 2013, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed the repeal of the state’s Racial Justice Act, a 2009 law that allowed death row prisoners to challenge their sentences using statewide statistics showing bias based on the race of the defendant or victim or in jury selection.

Pro Bono

Project to Recognize Volunteer Attorneys at Awards Event in Washington, D.C.

Kaitlin Sandin

The Project is pleased to announce the winners of the 2013 Exceptional Service Award: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal LLP, and Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP. The winner of the 2013 John Paul Stevens Guiding Hand of Counsel Award is capital defender Denny LeBoeuf.

Death Penalty

Project Holds Educational Meetings in St. Louis and Baltimore

Kaitlin Sandin

The Project held two informational meetings in Spring 2013 for attorneys interested in learning about pro bono death penalty representation.

Death Penalty

Witness to Innocence to Present Award to the Death Penalty Representation Project

Becca Eden

Witness to Innocence will honor the Death Penalty Representation Project at its 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration this fall.

Death Penalty

Delaware Prisoner in Urgent Need of Assistance

The ABA Death Penalty Representation Project is urgently seeking volunteer counsel to represent a Delaware prisoner in the direct appeal of his conviction and death sentence.