Condemned Mexican Inmates Denied Appeals

AP via SFGate ^ | 3/31/8 | MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

Seven Mexican-born inmates on Texas' death row lost their bid Monday to state their case before the U.S. Supreme Court, following the court's ruling last week that another Mexican-born inmate's case couldn't be reopened despite an order from President Bush.

Justices last week voted 6-3 against hearing the case of Jose Medellin, convicted of the rape-slayings of two Houston teenagers 15 years ago, saying Bush overstepped his authority by trying to order Texas to reopen Medellin's case. That decision removed a legal hurdle blocking Medellin's execution.

An international court ruled in 2004 that the convictions of Medellin and 50 other Mexicans on death row around the United States violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, which provides that people arrested abroad be given access to their home country's consular officials.

The International Court of Justice, also known as the world court, said the Mexican prisoners should have new court hearings to determine whether the violation affected their cases.

But the Supreme Court said Monday that Texas could ignore the international court's ruling in favor of granting new hearings.

[SmithL]

Y'all say hey to Tookie!

[Guenevere]

The wheels of justice grind slow, but they grind exceedingly fine....Yeppers!

[Dr.Zoidberg]

...saying Bush overstepped his authority by trying to order Texas to reopen Medellin's case. That decision removed a legal hurdle blocking Medellin's execution.

You know, that just has to sting...

LOL

[Guenevere]

justice ping!

[TCats]

It's good but these degenerates still are held up awaiting SCUS hearing of a “Cruel and unusual punishment” challenge to the death penalty.

IMO We won't see these guys meet justice for quite some time, if ever.

[LADY J]

"Seven Mexican-born inmates on Texas' death row lost their bid Monday to state their case before the U.S. Supreme Court, following the court's ruling last week that another Mexican-born inmate's case couldn't be reopened despite an order from President Bush."

I've been disappointed in so many things that President Bush has done, but this is one of the worst.

It is so heartbreaking that he would be on the side of such degenerates!

I'm so happy that he got this decision shoved back in his face!! I know it had to make the suffering families of the victims feel better.

[mdittmar]

[pissant]

Get a rope.

[rednesss]

[VR-21]

If Mexico values the lives of their home grown scum so much perhaps they’ll keep them home so they can prey on their own countrymen. My middle finger in lieu of that.

[Young Scholar]

It is so heartbreaking that he would be on the side of such degenerates!

That or he believes it is his job as President to do what he can to enforce our treaty obligations (which it is). It was up to the SCOTUS to decide just how much authority he had to do so, but until this case the law was fairly ambiguous hin this area.

[mdittmar]

Me thinks you misunderestimate what happened.

[SwinneySwitch]

Ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[Tennessee Nana]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS

[LADY J]

You’re right. I made a snap judgement on a quick read. I rechecked & I’ll take back my criticism of President Bush!!