Post by sclcookie on Jun 1, 2006 15:49:13 GMT -5
Court orders resentencing for death row inmate
The death sentence of a man convicted of killing a woman at an Oklahoma
City recreation center in 1991 is being overturned and he'll get a new
sentencing hearing.
The state Court of Criminal Appeals says Alfred Brian Mitchell deserves a
new sentencing because mistakes by the judge and prosecutors prevented him
from getting a fair hearing.
Mitchell was convicted of beating and bludgeoning 21-year-old University
of Oklahoma student Elaine Scott to death at the recreation center.
The appeals court upheld the murder conviction, but says the prosecutor
was highly improper by yelling and pointing at Mitchell during closing
arguments.
And the court says Judge Susan Caswell's repeated refusal to restrain or
condemn the prosecutor is even more disturbing.
The court says Caswell by have forgotten - quote - "where she was sitting
and what she was wearing."
The court also ordered that a different judge preside over the
resentencing.
(source: Associated Press)
The death sentence of a man convicted of killing a woman at an Oklahoma
City recreation center in 1991 is being overturned and he'll get a new
sentencing hearing.
The state Court of Criminal Appeals says Alfred Brian Mitchell deserves a
new sentencing because mistakes by the judge and prosecutors prevented him
from getting a fair hearing.
Mitchell was convicted of beating and bludgeoning 21-year-old University
of Oklahoma student Elaine Scott to death at the recreation center.
The appeals court upheld the murder conviction, but says the prosecutor
was highly improper by yelling and pointing at Mitchell during closing
arguments.
And the court says Judge Susan Caswell's repeated refusal to restrain or
condemn the prosecutor is even more disturbing.
The court says Caswell by have forgotten - quote - "where she was sitting
and what she was wearing."
The court also ordered that a different judge preside over the
resentencing.
(source: Associated Press)