Utah man facing firing squad seeks federal stay
Lawyer Blogs
A death row inmate set to be executed by firing squad Friday is scrambling to block his execution after losing an appeal at the Utah Supreme Court and failing to persuade the state parole board to grant him clemency.
Ronnie Lee Gardner's attorneys are now ramping up a federal civil rights lawsuit filed last week against the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. Gardner contends the commutation hearing process is tainted because lawyers that represent the board and the state prison all work for the Utah attorney general's office — the same entity that sought Gardner's death warrant and argued against a commuted sentence.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell, but no hearing had been set Tuesday.
The parole board on Monday rejected Gardner's efforts to get his death sentence reduced to life in prison without parole, and hours later, the Utah Supreme Court unanimously denied Gardner's appeal.
In its 57-page ruling, justices said it was too late for Gardner to challenge his sentence and that he had been treated fairly throughout his 25 years of appeals.
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Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
Forte Law Group is one of only a very few law firms within the state of Connecticut that is dedicated to exclusively representing families and children with special needs.
Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.