Daily Archives: July 20, 2007

The Pope, Genarlow Wilson and fabricating PC

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I’m still debating whether to go stand in line for Harry Potter (yes, yes, I know), so in the meantime I want to leave you with three must-read stories.

First, EyeID reports that The Pope sent a letter in support of Troy Davis to the Board of Pardons and Paroles. They have been able to obtain a copy of the letter.

Second, Genarlow Wilson (I’ve been spelling his name Glenarlow, which is wrong) had his appeal heard by the Georgia Supreme Court today. The same Supreme Court that last month declined to hear his case. Here are some news reports of the matter. What is a must read, however, is Sara’s liveblogging of the oral argument (HT: Audacity).

Finally, Grits digs into that treasure trove of horror stories: the TX DA’s message board and finds this gem about fabricating probable cause.

An informant gets called to run a load of dope. Fine. He provides the load vehicle, which is driven away to the stash house by a criminal load driver. Prior to the load driver picking up the car, law enforcement removes the front plate, on purpose, so that marked patrol units, working with narcotics task force, will have PC to stop the car. Narcotics task force supervisors and police patrol supervisors discuss this gameplan and everyone agrees it will be fine.

Unbelievable.

Death penalty Constitutionality arguments end; ruling awaited

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The hearing into the Constitutionality of Connecticut’s death penalty wrapped up yesterday with oral arguments made by both sides.

Public Defender Ronald Gold argued that Campbell’s defense has proved that 12 of Connecticut’s 13 state’s attorneys do not follow a uniform standard or written guidelines when determining whether to pursue the death penalty.

Gold based his conclusion on the testimony of the state’s attorneys for the Waterbury and New Haven judicial districts. Given the same set of facts in double-murder cases, Gold argued, the two prosecutors reached different decisions on seeking the death penalty.

Waterbury State’s Attorney John A. Connelly testified that he has charged the accused with capital felony, felony murder and murder – the precursors to seeking the death penalty. Connelly said he had no discretion to do otherwise, according to Gold’s recollection of Connelly’s testimony.

But New Haven State’s Attorney Michael Dearington, Gold said, testified that when he has faced similar circumstances, he has charged a defendant with two murders rather than capital felony, felony murder and murder, Gold said.

The Court (Mullarkey, J.) is expected to rule on this and then sentence Jesse Campbell on August 17.

All previous coverage of this can be found here: