Free Republic

LONDON -- The British Parliament on Thursday approved legislation to overturn "double jeopardy" protection for offenses such as murder, rape and armed robbery. The centuries-old legal rule prevents suspects being tried twice for a crime and is enshrined in the legal codes of many of Britain's former colonies, including the United States. But under the Criminal Justice Bill, introduced by Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, a person acquitted of certain serious offenses will face a second trial if compelling new details, such as DNA evidence, come to light. The legislation, hailed by the government as the biggest reform of Britain's...

<p>MANASSAS, Va. — A murder trial opened Monday for a man who was charged with killing a 16-year-old girl after mistakenly thinking a court ruling gave him carte blanche to brag to prosecutors about the crime.</p> <p>Paul W. Powell, 24, was sent to death row in 2000, a year after the girl was killed and her younger sister was attacked in their home. Authorities said Powell was angry with the 16-year-old for dating a black man.</p>

Some legal experts criticize ruling on 11-member juries ASSOCIATED PRESS December 02, 2002 FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Some legal experts are criticizing the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' recent ruling that judges are required to conduct trials with fewer than 12 jurors in certain situations. In a 6-3 decision released last month, the court ruled that a criminal court judge must proceed with 11 jurors if one dies or is declared unable to serve after being empaneled. Previously, judges could decide whether to permit the remaining jurors to hear testimony and render a verdict or to start over...

Double-jeopardy issue may free man in killing FW victim's mom, who helped get confession, upset as hearing set 11/22/2002 By LAURIE FOX / The Dallas Morning News FORT WORTH - After her son was murdered, Erma Walker helped authorities bring his killer to justice. She kept her ears open in her Fort Worth neighborhood. She called investigators every day, passing along bits of information. Police told her she helped secure the confession and 1999 life conviction of the man who twice shot her son, Edric Davis, 22, and dumped his body along the side of the road She's now...