[Bullitt]

A 15 YEAR OLD IS DEAD, THIS GUY HAS PITY FOR THE PUNISHMENT?

[Romish_Papist]

I don't think it has anything to do with pity. I think it has more to do with making absolutely sure nothing i overlooked before putting someone to death.

[RobFromGa]

Harriet Miers would've executed the guy herself...

:-)

[pageonetoo]

Justice Alito is a good lawyer, and judge. He knows what the law says about things, and he interprets them on a "strict constructionist" basis.

Much is being said about NOTHING... He did not SIDE WITH A KILLER. He heard a legal theory, and is willing to hear the arguments. Learn procedure and facts before making false accusations. This is not on the MERITS... it is about LAWS.

He will be a GREAT CONSERVATIVE SCJ...

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I am no expert on federal procedure, however, I do know that this was NOT a ruling on the constitutionality of the death penalty. The SCOTUS was reviewing whether to overturn a stay put in place by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

One has to overcome a high standard in order to overturn a stay put in place by a lower court. I don't understand why Roberts, Scalia and Thomas voted to overturn, but at most Alito was simply allowing a stay, put in place by one of the more conservative circuits, to remain in place pending that Circuit's own review.

In addition, Alito's vote was not determinative. The stay would have stayed in place regardless, because the vote was 6-3.

Therefore, given his arriving at the court yesterday, it was more than judicious to simply maintain the status quo. Bottom line: Chill folks

[Paul_Denton]

The time has come. Execute order sixty-six.

It will be done, my lord. The troll will be zotted.