Death sentence by jury that discussed Bible thrown out

CNN ^ | 3/29/05

[areafiftyone]

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- Ruling that juries cannot turn to the Bible for advice during deliberations, a divided Colorado Supreme Court threw out the death penalty for a convicted murderer because jurors discussed Bible verses.

In a 3-2 vote on Monday, justices ordered Robert Harlan to serve life without parole for kidnapping Rhonda Maloney and raping her at gunpoint for two hours before fatally shooting her.

Authorities said Maloney, a 25-year-old cocktail waitress, was on her way home from work at a casino. Harlan later admitted killing her, but said he was addled by cocaine, alcohol and rage.

Harlan was sentenced to death in 1995, but defense lawyers learned that five jurors had looked up such Bible verses as "eye for eye, tooth for tooth," copied them and discussed them while deliberating behind closed doors.

Defense attorney Kathleen Lord, arguing before the state Supreme Court last month, said the jurors had gone outside the law. "They went to the Bible to find out God's position on capital punishment," she said.

[newfreep]

If it's OK for the USSC to use foreign, international law to rule on cases, certainly it should be OK to use the Bible for US domestic cases?

I know, no room for common sense when dealing with Godless lefties.

[jonboy]

We really MUST find a way to reign in these stupid idiot judges. I bet they would not have done this if it had been people turning to the Koran.

[Rummyfan]

May the sewers of Rangoon back up in Kathleen Lord's breakfast cereal! What's wrong with consulting the Bible?

[Banjoguy]

Another example of the suffocating The hubris of many of our judges.

[odoso]

I wonder how this asshole lawyer or the justices would feel if his or their daughter, wife or mother was brutally raped and then murdered...

What P'sOS low life souless people they are.

[Still Thinking]

Why did they arbitrarily change the sentence rather than just throwing it out and sending it back down for resentencing by the judge or by a new jury?

[WV Mountain Mama]

Would she have been so outraged if they had consulted the New Testament? Somehow, I doubt it.

[areafiftyone]

Yea that is what I was thinking. They could have had a re-trial then. Looks like spite work by the judge.

[PeterPrinciple]

Well Folks,

Lets get back at them by using a few more Bible verses in our daily conversation and decision making. Of course this might require most of us to do more reading in the Bible.

I used to give out the following when I conducted seminars:

---

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES FROM AN ANCIENT SOURCE

"The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income...."

"Savings are put into risky investments that turn sour, and soon there is nothing left to pass on to one's son. The man who speculates is soon back to where he began - with nothing."

"Wealth from gambling quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows."

"It is poor judgment to countersign another's note; to become responsible for his debts."

"The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them."

"Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty."

"Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts."

"You are a poor specimen if you can't stand the pressure of adversity."

"Develop your business first before building your house."

"A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest means that poverty will break in upon you suddenly like a robber, and violently like a bandit."

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."

"Crooks are jealous of each other's loot, while good men long to help each other."

"It is possible to give away; and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the generous man shall be rich. By watering others, he waters himself."

"Plans go wrong with too few counselors; many counselors bring success."

[Still Thinking]

The jurors are supposed to judge the law as well as the facts, according to their own values. That's why they're there, to keep the administration of justice from being solely a government run affair.

[Still Thinking]

Not even retry the case. He's already been convicted and there's no accusation of jury problems in the trial phase. So just redo the sentencing (obviously it wouldn't be correct to do it with the same jury).

[TheBattman]

How many threads are going to be started on this story?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1372877/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1372858/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1372805/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1372657/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1372517/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1372514/posts

[Still Thinking]

At least seven! ;-)

[areafiftyone]

Well when you do a search by the title nothing comes up. they all have different titles.

[expatguy]

I believe judges have the right to refer to the Bible, or for that matter any book when arriving that their decisions.

A jury should have the same right.

[Obadiah]

Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

-The Mayflower Compact

[Paradox]

Do a search on "Bible" and they all come up. Thats what I would have searched on.

[Paradox]

A jury does not have the right to refer to ANYTHING not introduced during the trial. The jurors, in this case, screwed up, and now a piece of crap is free..

[Leatherneck_MT]

More Judges that need to be removed from their Lofty perches.

Preferably by kicking them out of the tree. Vultures