[topher]

The SCOTUS opinion today is found at PDF:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/12-794_87ad.pdf

Not a Clickable Link since some browsers have trouble with PDF's.

Justice Scalia provided the opinion of the Majority, which overturns the ruling of the Sixth Court of Appeals. This is an interesting case, in my opinion, because it deals with the issue of self-incrimination. The defendant pleaded guilty to all charges, but then refused to testify during the sentancing phase. This is why Sixth Court of Appeals reversed the Kentucky Supreme Court: they felt that the defendant was forced to incriminate himself.

[topher]

The defendant was found with:

(1) Blood on his clothing

(2) Blood on the door of his house

(3) The defendant pleaded guilty to the murder, rape, and kidnapping of a 16 year old girl (whose throat was slashed twice with a box cutter).

Probably the rape provided additional evidence linking the defendant's DNA to the crime.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Huh? What’s dat boy in the new suit talkin’ bout wid da judge up dere?

[BenLurkin]

He pled guilty without bargaining for life without parole?

Maybe his appeal should have been based on inadequate legal representation.

[Lurking Libertarian]

It's actually a bit more complicated. Scalia's opinion for the majority does not hold that the Kentucky court was right to deny the defendant's Fifth Amendment claim. Rather, when a federal court is asked to overturn a state court's decision in a criminal case, the federal court must find not only that the state court was wrong, but also that its decision was "clearly unreasonable." Scalia said the Kentucky court's error wasn't that bad.

[topher]

Box Score for this decision:

Released today, April 23, 2014.

The writ of Certorari is denied (writ of Sixth Court of Appeals to the lower court(s))

Justice Scalia delivered the opinion of the Majority. Joining Justice Scalia are Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Kennedy, Justice Thomas, Justice Alito, and Justice Kagan.

Dissenting:

Justice Breyer, along with Justice Ginsburg and Justice Sotomayer joining.

[topher]

The Defendant [Robert Keith Woodall] kidnapped, raped, and murdered Sarah Hansen [16 year old high school student].

In the SCOTUS case, Robert Keith Woodall is referred to as the respondent and that Randy White, Warden, is referred to as the petitioner.

[Nifster]

So I am assuming that SCOTUS found that this was not a violation of the 5th amendment’s protection against self incrimination?

I can’t even understand how the 6th circuit could have found otherwise (the 9th circuit I would have expected as much). I mean fed cruin out loud THE GUY PLED GUILTY!!!!!!

[Political Junkie Too]

I guess I don't understand. What is left for the convicted to self-incriminate during sentencing after pleading guilty to all charges?

-PJ