Posted on 09/12/2007 4:06:08 PM PDT by decimon
HOUSTON — A man condemned for killing and beheading his common-law wife's three children had his conviction overturned Wednesday by a divided Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
In a 5-4 ruling, the state's highest criminal appeals court said John Allen Rubio's conviction and death sentence four years ago were improper because statements from his common-law wife, Angela Camacho, erroneously were allowed into evidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I think the issue is hear-say, not spousal immunity. As a conservative, I would be upset if the court had upheld the convict, based on the facts in the story. The right to confront one’s accusers is one of our bedrock constituitional protections.
“..a legal system that is so wrapped up in technicalities..”
Our laws are written by lawyers so as to benefit lawyers.
They are probably illegals and can get away with killing, etc here in the United States.
Deport them to the middle east.
Mexas Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Another fundraiser?
Heads on Pikes !!!
Is this the court of appeals in Beaumont, Texas?
Our obedience to laws is conditional on the impled contract between the government and the people: we forego our right to avenge ourselves upon those who have wronged us, and the government agrees to seek vengeance in our stead.
When the government breaks its part of the bargain, the contract is void...
When the government breaks its part of the bargain, the contract is void...
...provided that those who act to avenge themselves subsequently submit themselves and their actions to the judgment of a duly constituted court of law. To seek private justice and then attempt to conceal the act is a crime in itself.
Don't know.
Like we "got" Andrea Yates?
A wife may not be forced to testify against her husband, but it is not against the law for one to do it voluntarily.
She refused to directly testify, but her confessions were a seperate issue as they were offered freely by her.
The Supreme Court of Texas just made a horrible decision... Perhaps they’ll feel better if its their kids who wind up victims.
Unfathonable that this decision was handed down, let alone that it got 5 votes for it.
Yeah, let’s compare execution stats for Texas and all you other jurisdictions. The occasional slip notwithstanding, justice is served in Texas.
Nope, the Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin, which is Texas’ highest appellate court for criminal matters.
Couldn't agree more..the Texas legislators, juries, and prosecutors do it right but, judges will be judges, even in Texas.
Um, didn’t the prosecution have enough other evidence to uphold the conviction? Please don’t tell me that this man’s conviction hinged only upon the illegal testimony of his common law wife. This is just crazy. Time to remove from the bench some judges IMHO.
Ah, whatever. It’s 2007. We live in an anarchy and people need to get used to it.
If you want justice, you have to get it for yourself.
Anybody who depends on cops, courts, lawyers and judges for justice is a fool.
I hate to agree with you, as I am a judge in Texas, but indeed, being appointed or elected a judge doesn’t automatically bring the mantle of reason...
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