Attorney General: Alabama Death Penalty Law “Constitutional”
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.”
A Manson Family member was recommended for parole again. But she’s not free just yet
Patricia Krenwinkel was 21 when she participated in the August 1969 murders. Her parole recommendation would need to be approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who rejected the last one in 2022.
Mount Etna erupts, shooting a massive ash cloud into the sky and raising alerts
Mount Etna produced a spectacularly explosive eruption Monday, sending a ripple of reddish clouds down from the southeast summit of Europe's highest active volcano.
WBHM 90.3, Gulf States Newsroom win nine 2025 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
The Radio Television Digital News Association announced Region 9 Edward R. Murrow Award winners in 23 categories May 22. The Murrow Awards began in 1971 and are among the most prestigious in journalism.
With ‘I Love Lucy’ and beyond, Desi Arnaz helped shaped TV as we know it
The success of I Love Lucy is often credited to Lucille Ball's comedic talent, but biographer Todd Purdum says Arnaz was more than just "second banana" to Lucy. He also helped shape the modern sitcom.
With ‘I Love Lucy’ and beyond, Desi Arnaz helped shaped TV as we know it
The success of I Love Lucy is often credited to Lucille Ball's comedic talent, but biographer Todd Purdum says Arnaz was more than just "second banana" to Lucy. He also helped shape the modern sitcom.
With ‘I Love Lucy’ and beyond, Desi Arnaz helped shaped TV as we know it
The success of I Love Lucy is often credited to Lucille Ball's comedic talent, but biographer Todd Purdum says Arnaz was more than just "second banana" to Lucy. He also helped shape the modern sitcom.