The media is trying to mess with Republicans. Get them upset for an election year and hope they won't show at the polls.
Below is Charles' great post on what happened:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1569856/posts?page=69#69
Missouri appealed a stay of the execution, which was set to expire anyway this afternoon. Earlier today, the court ruled 9-0 to NOT lift that stay, which then ended on its own on the original schedule.
Meanwhile, the convict had two appeals working up through the courts for a stay of execution for other reasons. In the first, he claimed his death sentence was racist. The court WITHOUT alito ruled 8-0 NOT to grant the stay.
In the second, he claimed that lethal injection was cruel and unusual punishment. Alito heard that request, and then the court voted 5-4 to UPHOLD that request, thus putting the execution on hold.
So, there were THREE votes today, one on a Missouri request (denied 8-0), one on a convict request to stay based on racism (denied 9-0), and one on the convict request to stay based on 8th amendment (accepted 5-4).
Apparently the court has a couple of these 8th amendment appeals about lethal injections wending their way, and I guess Alito thinks it's worth hearing the argument (or at least letting a lower court decide whether to hear the argument).
Anyway, I hope this clears up the confusion.
Thank you, but keep it handy...
Something tells me it might need several postings!
It sure does and thanks for your post.