US Supreme Court stays Alabama execution

Lawyer Blogs

[##_1L|1081018752.jpg|width="157" height="111" alt=""|_##]The US Supreme Court on Thursday issued an order staying the execution of a convicted rapist and murderer, as part of its decision to review the legality of lethal injections nationwide. The reprieve came hours before James Callahan, 61, was scheduled for execution at Alabama's Holman prison. Callahan was sentenced to death for the 1982 rape and murder of a Jacksonville State University student.

The Supreme Court's stay of execution followed its decision in September to hear a challenge to the constitutionality of the cocktail of chemicals used in lethal injections. The court began hearing arguments on this on January 7.

Local courts and state governments across the United States have put executions on hold while they await the Supreme Court decision, which is expected before the end of its term in July.

The review centers on the three-stage cocktail of drugs used in the injections -- the first chemical puts the prisoner to sleep, the second paralyzes the muscles and the third stops the heart.

If all goes to plan, the inmate quickly falls unconscious and dies within minutes. But if the first chemical is not administered properly, the two others become extremely painful, as shown by several botched executions.

Lawyers arguing against lethal injection say it violates the eighth amendment of the US constitution, which outlaws "cruel and unusual" punishment.

In December, New Jersey became the first US state in 40 years to abolish the death penalty. But opinion polls suggest that two-thirds of Americans continue to favor capital punishment, and more than 3,200 inmates remain on death row across the country.

Related listings

  • Ore. high court reaffirms smoker damages

    Ore. high court reaffirms smoker damages

    Lawyer Blogs 02/01/2008

    The Oregon Supreme Court for a third time has allowed a $79.5 million punitive-damages judgment against Philip Morris, an award twice struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, which suggested it was excessive.The award was for the family of Jesse Willia...

  • Supreme Court Hears Fla. Gaming Case

    Supreme Court Hears Fla. Gaming Case

    Lawyer Blogs 01/31/2008

    [##_1L|1195645848.jpg|width="131" height="91" alt=""|_##]Gov. Charlie Crist exceeded his powers and violated the Florida Constitution when he agreed with the Seminole Indian tribe to expand gambling in the state, an attorney for the Florida House tol...

  • Supreme Court opens door for toxic lawsuits

    Supreme Court opens door for toxic lawsuits

    Lawyer Blogs 01/31/2008

    Overturning a long-standing precedent it had reaffirmed only last year, the Alabama Supreme Court has allowed a wrongful death lawsuit that a judge had barred on grounds that the plaintiff waited too long to file. The 5-4 decision handed down Friday ...

Grounds for Divorce in Ohio - Sylkatis Law, LLC

A divorce in Ohio is filed when there is typically “fault” by one of the parties and party not at “fault” seeks to end the marriage. A court in Ohio may grant a divorce for the following reasons:
• Willful absence of the adverse party for one year
• Adultery
• Extreme cruelty
• Fraudulent contract
• Any gross neglect of duty
• Habitual drunkenness
• Imprisonment in a correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint
• Procurement of a divorce outside this state by the other party

Additionally, there are two “no-fault” basis for which a court may grant a divorce:
• When the parties have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation
• Incompatibility, unless denied by either party

However, whether or not the the court grants the divorce for “fault” or not, in Ohio the party not at “fault” will not get a bigger slice of the marital property.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read