Summer 2014

Death Penalty News

Disability

U.S. Supreme Court Reaffirms Unconstitutionality of Executing the Intellectually Disabled

Emily M. Williams, Senior Staff Attorney

On May 27, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its opinion in Hall v. Florida, finding Florida’s method for assessing intellectual disability in capital cases to be unconstitutional. The decision marked the first time that the Court had considered the standard for executing the intellectually disabled since its 2002 opinion in Atkins v. Virginia.

Civil Rights & Constitution

Two Botched Executions Put Spotlight on Lethal Injection Process and State Secrecy

Meredith Gallen, Staff Attorney

In recent months, the lethal injection process has come under close scrutiny by courts and the public following two botched executions in two states. Attorneys have argued that use of experimental protocols with unreliable drugs from unknown sources violates the prisoners’ First and Eighth Amendment rights.

Death Penalty

Mississippi Death Row Prisoner Granted “Extraordinary” and “Extremely Rare” Relief

Emily M. Williams, Senior Staff Attorney

On March 31, 2014, the Supreme Court of Mississippi granted relief to death row prisoner Michelle Byrom, reversing Ms. Byrom’s conviction and death sentence and remanding the case for a new trial.

Death Penalty

Update on Opt-In Rule: Preliminary Injunction Prevents Implementation

Robin M. Maher, Director

On September 23, 2013, the Department of Justice issued new rules for "certifying" states that can benefit from shorter time limits for death penalty appeals. The Rule is intended to go into effect on October 23, 2014.

Death Penalty

New Hampshire Legislators Narrowly Fail to Repeal the Death Penalty

Hunter Green, Project Intern

On May 22, 2014, the New Hampshire Senate blocked the second attempt in recent months to repeal the death penalty. Repeal legislation would have made New Hampshire the seventh state within the past seven years to abolish capital punishment and the nineteenth state in the country without a death penalty.

Volunteer News

Courts & Judiciary

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney Secures Life Sentence for Frank Williams, Jr.

Hunter Green, Project Intern

On July 16, 2014, a team including Thomas P. Bernier, senior shareholder at Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, and local defense counsel Blake Hendrix and Jason Files, won a life sentence for former death row prisoner Frank Williams, Jr.

Death Penalty

Volunteer Attorneys from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and ACLU Capital Punishment Project Secure Life Sentence for Louisiana Death Row Prisoner

Hunter Green, Project Intern

Volunteer attorneys from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy along with the ACLU Capital Punishment Project won a major victory for their client, John Francis Wille. On May 5, 2014, a state judge granted a joint motion filed by the district attorney and the Milbank/ACLU team, vacating Mr. Wille’s death sentence and immediately resentencing him to life imprisonment without parole.

Death Penalty

Federal District Court Commends Volunteer Counsel for Work in Capital Case

Meredith Gallen, Staff Attorney

In a recent opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit commended the work of pro bono counsel on a death penalty case.

Project News

Death Penalty

Join the Project on September 11th to Honor Outstanding Volunteer Counsel at Awards Event in Washington, D.C.

Meredith Gallen, Staff Attorney

The Project is delighted to announce the winners of the 2014 Exceptional Service Awards, Quarles & Brady LLP and Sidley Austin LLP, and the winner of the 2014 John Paul Stevens Guiding Hand of Counsel Award, Mark J. MacDougall of Akin Gump LLP. The awards will be presented at our Volunteer Recognition celebration on September 11, 2014, at the Decatur House in Washington, D.C.

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Summer 2014

Personal Note from Director Robin M. Maher: My Departure

Death Penalty News

U.S. Supreme Court Reaffirms Unconstitutionality of Executing the Intellectually Disabled

Two Botched Executions Put Spotlight on Lethal Injection Process and State Secrecy

Mississippi Death Row Prisoner Granted “Extraordinary” and “Extremely Rare” Relief

Update on Opt-In Rule: Preliminary Injunction Prevents Implementation

New Hampshire Legislators Narrowly Fail to Repeal the Death Penalty

Volunteer News

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney Secures Life Sentence for Frank Williams, Jr.

Volunteer Attorneys from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and ACLU Capital Punishment Project Secure Life Sentence for Louisiana Death Row Prisoner

Federal District Court Commends Volunteer Counsel for Work in Capital Case

Project News

Join the Project on September 11th to Honor Outstanding Volunteer Counsel at Awards Event in Washington, D.C.

ABA Resources

The ABA

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Renew Your ABA Membership

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Summer 2014

Personal Note from Director Robin M. Maher: My Departure

Death Penalty News

U.S. Supreme Court Reaffirms Unconstitutionality of Executing the Intellectually Disabled

Two Botched Executions Put Spotlight on Lethal Injection Process and State Secrecy

Mississippi Death Row Prisoner Granted “Extraordinary” and “Extremely Rare” Relief

Update on Opt-In Rule: Preliminary Injunction Prevents Implementation

New Hampshire Legislators Narrowly Fail to Repeal the Death Penalty

Volunteer News

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney Secures Life Sentence for Frank Williams, Jr.

Volunteer Attorneys from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and ACLU Capital Punishment Project Secure Life Sentence for Louisiana Death Row Prisoner

Federal District Court Commends Volunteer Counsel for Work in Capital Case

Project News

Join the Project on September 11th to Honor Outstanding Volunteer Counsel at Awards Event in Washington, D.C.

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