Nevada court stays execution of murderer at 11th hour
Criminal Law
[##_1L|1371563251.jpg|width="180" height="135" alt=""|_##]Nevada's highest court gave a reprieve to a former construction worker scheduled to die on Monday, ruling that his execution should await a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the issue of lethal injection and that the state's methods involved excessive sedation. William Castillo, 34, was to be injected with a deadly combination of drugs administered by prison guards at Nevada State Prison -- one of the country's oldest -- in Carson City.
Late on Monday, the Nevada State Supreme Court agreed to a request by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada to stay the execution pending an upcoming ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of execution by lethal injection. The country's highest court agreed on September 25 to review the issue, the same day Castillo was scheduled to die.
The Nevada court also said the state's methods are cruel and unusual because the prisoner is so heavily sedated it is impossible for witnesses to determine the actual effects of the injection, effectively violating First Amendment rights.
The ruling is an effective reprieve because Castillo's execution order is only good for a week, and the U.S. Supreme Court is not expected to rule before then. A number of states, including California, have halted executions pending the legal review of whether the current method of lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
Castillo had given up his remaining appeals, saying he was ready to die for bludgeoning an 86-year-old Las Vegas teacher to death in 1995.
Castillo worked on Isabel Brendt's roof, then returned with a female companion after finding a house key. He burglarized the home and beat Brendt to death with a tire iron. They later burned down the home.
Related listings
-
Class Action Lawsuit Against NutriSystem, Inc.
Criminal Law 10/16/2007Klafter & Olsen LLP announces that it has filed a class action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of a Class consisting of all persons other than Defendants who purchased the common stock of Nut...
-
'Mansion Madam' pleads guilty to prostitution
Criminal Law 10/12/2007[##_1L|1132441984.jpg|width="120" height="88" alt=""|_##]Former Penthouse model Lisa Ann Taylor pleaded guilty Wednesday to prostitution and drug charges, culminating a high profile criminal case involving sordid allegations in an exclusive neighborh...
-
Man Pleads Guilty to 2nd Kidnapping
Criminal Law 10/10/2007[##_1L|1260256715.jpg|width="120" height="88" alt=""|_##]A former pizzeria manager said Tuesday that he attempted to kill a boy he kidnapped and held captive in his apartment, but the child persuaded him not to do it.Michael Devlin, 41, pleaded guilt...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .