It's worth noting, however, that Alito's vote was not required in this instance. It was already a 5-3 decision without him. Seems to me he clearly felt adequately cognizant of the issues at hand because he felt competent to vote on the issue. He recused himself in the motions relating to the Rutherford appeals in Florida.
And, might I note that most of these preliminary capital punishment motions are decided with no more information than what Alito had to work with. You know that. The motion is made and the justice or the court rules the same day or perhaps the next day. Oftentimes, they rule within a few hours.
So the idea that Alito voted as he did because he wanted to get 'up to speed' or whatever strikes me as daft. He was as much up to speed on this particular Missouri case as was any other justice on the Supreme Court.
Yes, clearly Alito is not a wing it kind of guy. Those comments were silly.