Posted on 01/28/2005 10:34:23 AM PST by SmithL
NEW YORK (AP) --
A federal appeals court on Friday lifted a restraining order that prevents Connecticut from executing serial killer Michael Ross, but said the state would still have to wait until his father goes to the Supreme Court.
The ruling makes it likely that New England's first execution in 45 years, which state officials had scheduled for early Saturday, will be delayed at least a day, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said. But he hailed the court's underlying finding.
"I am satisfied and pleased that the rule of the law has been upheld and that a lawful conviction and sentence can proceed," he said after the ruling.
Ross, who has confessed to killing eight women, fired his attorneys last year and is seeking to have his execution go forward. But his father, Dan Ross, and public defenders in the state have waged a court battle to spare his life, saying he was mentally incompetent to waive his appeals. The case drew widespread attention because no New England state has put anyone to death since 1960.
In throwing out a lower court's temporary restraining order, the appeals court said in could find no case law that establishes the right of relatives of a condemned inmate to challenge the death sentence on their own behalf.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Yeah Baby!!! This was a ridiculous turn of events. A weasel Federal Judge (appointed by Willy) issued a stay, the secound Court of Appeals upheld and the SCOTUS overturned. Thanks god!!!! Goodbye Michael Ross!!!
Kinda funny too that Rat AG Bluemnthal has his finger in the wind and wholehearteldy went after this appeal. In a recent poll 70% of Ct residents want scumbag Ross offed. Blumenthal has his eye on the Governorship, which makes me shudder.
Schiavo didn't do anything to deserve here state. Ross did.
Agreed. He's never been 'mentally competent' if he's murdered that much. Let him die and get what he deserves.
I heard Blumenthal on the WPLR morning show on Monday (I think) and he was resounding in his support for having Michael Ross executed promptly. When so many potential Dem voters want Ross to be executed, Blumenthal is no fool - he'll go after it.
He's going for Governor, that's for sure...ugh.
At least Ross will wind up dead. I still think the families of his victims should be allowed to have at him in a locked room, preferably with various blunt objects.
Why the irony when this creep wants to die and the liberals courts force him to stay alive, when Terry Schiavo wants to live, and the courts are forcing her to die.
I wish Lieberman would run.
Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."
Well then, which branch of government would be best at interpreting the law?
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