Summary
Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for not stopping the execution of Charles Ray Crawford in Mississippi. She argued that the Court ignored important constitutional questions about his trial. The decision affects how the death penalty is applied in the U.S., where many states, including Mississippi, still use it.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court denied a request to stop Charles Ray Crawford’s execution.
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent, saying the Court ignored an important legal question.
- Crawford was executed for crimes committed in 1993, including kidnapping, rape, and murder.
- He argued that his Sixth Amendment rights were violated because his lawyers admitted guilt against his wishes.
- The McCoy v. Louisiana case guarantees a defendant the right to decide his defense strategy.
- Over 40% of Americans believe the Supreme Court is too conservative, according to a recent poll.
- The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.
- More than half of U.S. states, including Mississippi, have the death penalty.
