Attorney General: Alabama Death Penalty Law “Constitutional”

 ========= Old Image Removed =========1664274707 
1485189335

The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear arguments in a case involving Alabama’s death penalty sentencing system.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced Monday in a statement that the decision is a reaffirmation that the state’s capital sentencing law is constitutional. Alabama is the only state with judicial override, which allows a judge to impose the death penalty in cases where a jury recommends a life sentence.

Three Alabama death row inmates, Thomas Arthur, Jerry Bohannon, and Aubrey Shaw, petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court in a challenge to Alabama’s law, citing the 2016 case Hurst v. Florida, which determined Florida’s similar death sentencing system was unconstitutional.

“Convicted murders have repeatedly challenged Alabama’s death penalty sentencing system because it allows for judicial override similar to Florida’s law,” Strange says. “However, Alabama law also holds that a jury must unanimously find an aggravating factor at either the guilt or sentencing phase—such as when the murder was committed during a robbery, a rape, or a kidnapping – before determining a death sentence.  This is a significant distinction between Alabama law and Florida’s law which was ruled unconstitutional last year by the Supreme Court.”

 

As federal funds wane, NPR ruefully clashes with CPB

NPR asked a federal judge to block CPB from awarding a $57.9 million grant to a new consortium of public media institutions to operate the satellite that connects the public radio system.

Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold $4 billion in foreign aid

The court's majority said Trump's foreign policy authority outweighed the harms claimed by the international aid groups suing.

Assata Shakur, a fugitive Black militant sought by the U.S. since 1979, dies in Cuba

Assata Shakur, a Black liberation activist who was given political asylum in Cuba after her 1979 escape from a U.S. prison, has died. Officials in New Jersey, where Shakur had been arrested, convicted and imprisoned, said she was 78.

Sinclair and Nexstar restore ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ to their local TV stations

The major broadcasting groups said in statements the late-night talk show will return to their TV stations on Friday.

There was a different vibe at the U.N. General Assembly. 5 attendees weigh in

It's the first high level U.N. gathering since the U.S. foreign aid cuts under the Trump Administration. What were people thinking — and talking about?

For LGBTQ+ History Month, NPR wants to hear your coming out story

National Coming Out Day is celebrated on Oct. 11 to recognize the courage of LGBTQ+ individuals who come out publicly. This year, NPR is inviting people to share their coming out stories.

More Front Page Coverage