“Positive He’s a Killer; Less Sure He Should Die”: The new installment of Adam Liptak‘s “Sidebar” column that will appear Monday in The New York Times begins, “The last part of a death penalty trial, the part where the jury decides whether the defendant will live or die, is a sort of referendum on capital punishment. A significant majority of Americans support the death penalty in the abstract, as an idea. But checking a box in a public opinion survey is not the same as voting to send a particular man to his death. In the polls that count, the ones that follow testimony and tears, jurors are increasingly rejecting the death penalty.”
Update: In related coverage, The Chicago Tribune on Monday contains an article headlined “Panelist felt death for Luna too easy; In-law says juror favors life term.”
“Padilla gets day in court, but verdict on Bush is in”: Columnist Robyn Blumner has this op-ed today in The St. Petersburg Times.
“Comey’s testimony evoked Nixon’s ‘Massacre'”: This article appears today in The Washington Times. In addition, Dan K. Thomasson has an op-ed entitled “Lone Ranger rides at Justice.”
And The St. Petersburg Times today contains an editorial entitled “Attorney general’s exit is long overdue.”
“Dems Seek No-Confidence Vote on Gonzales”: Hope Yen of The Associated Press provides a report that begins, “The top Republican on the Senate committee investigating Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he believes Gonzales could resign before a no-confidence vote sought this week by Senate Democrats.”
“Ex-Prosecutor’s Testimony Raises New Doubts About Embattled Attorney General “: This article will appear in the May 28, 2007 issue of U.S. News & World Report.
And at Time magazine’s web site, you can access an article headlined “Was Gonzales’ Emergency Visit Illegal?” In addition, Reynolds Holding has an essay entitled “Did Gonzales Violate Legal Ethics?”
“In 4th Decade On High Court, Stevens Stays True to Form; Justice Known for Dissents Enters Top 10 for Tenure”: Robert Barnes will have this article Monday in The Washington Post.
“Lawyer-Scientists Cash in on Patent Law”: The Associated Press provides this report.
“O’Connor: Court Should Follow Precedent.” Hope Yen of The Associated Press provides this report.
You can access a transcript of retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s interview that appeared on today’s broadcast of Fox News Sunday by clicking here. From the interview, it sounds like Justice O’Connor may be on the verge of becoming a law blogger.
Update: You can view video of the interview by clicking here.
“Top court, abortion seen as 2008 campaign issue”: James Vicini of Reuters provides this report.
Philadelphia Phillies 5, Toronto Blue Jays 3: With this afternoon’s victory, the Phillies managed to emerge victorious in each series against three different opponents during the ten-game homestand that has now ended. The seven wins and three losses during the homestand returned the Phillies to a .500 record through approximately the first quarter of the season.
This afternoon, Phillies starting pitcher Adam Eaton threw six-plus innings of scoreless ball, while the rookie starter for the Blue Jays, who proved untouchable in his only earlier start of the season against the Baltimore Orioles, lasted only four innings.
Phillies relief pitcher Geoff Geary surrendered three home runs in the top of the eighth inning, putting the Blue Jays within striking distance, but Phillies closer Brett Myers, after walking the leadoff batter in the top of the ninth, retired the next three batters in turn, including pinch hitter Frank Thomas, who struck out swinging.
The next game that my son and I are scheduled to attend is on the evening of Friday, June 1, 2007 against the San Francisco Giants. We’ll also be at the game against the Giants two days later on Sunday afternoon.
You can access the box score of today’s game at this link, while wraps are available here and here.
“Terrorism trial puts al Qaeda at center stage; Prosecutors will strive to keep jurors’ minds focused on al Qaeda as they try Jose Padilla and two others on terrorism conspiracy charges in Miami federal court”: This article appears today in The Miami Herald.
And Monday in The Christian Science Monitor, Warren Richey will have an article headlined “At Padilla terror trial, a witness’s surprise effect: A witness for the US government has painted a less-than-menacing picture of a terrorist training camp.”
“Supreme Court justice offers advice to Saint Mary’s graduates”: The South Bend Tribune today contains an article that begins, “It was Rodney Dangerfield v. the U.S. Constitution, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. ruled in favor of the latter in offering advice Saturday to Saint Mary’s College graduates.”
“Couple can sue in polygamy case; Defamation claim over being called polygamous is OK’d”: The Salt Lake Tribune contains this article today, along with an article headlined “Ruling could have broad effect on court-case media coverage.”
And The Deseret Morning News reported yesterday that “Defamation case sent back to district court; Couple claims Kingston suit hurt their reputations.”
You can access Friday’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Utah at this link.
“Justice denies complaint charge”: The Gloucester County (N.J.) Times yesterday contained an article that begins, “State Supreme Court Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto on Friday denied he acted improperly when he interceded last year in a dispute involving his son and another student at his high school.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday that “Judge denies abusing post to help son.”
And The Courier Post of Cherry Hill, New Jersey reported yesterday that “Justice denies ethics violations.”
A copy of the response to the judicial misconduct complaint can be accessed here. My earlier coverage appears at this link.
“Supreme court judge to retire; A former chief justice, Ronnie White was the first black man on Missouri’s highest court”: This article appeared Friday in The Kansas City Star.
And The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported yesterday that “Judge White to resign from state high court.”
“Awaiting a decision: Justices may review pivotal Kentucky bond case.” The Louisville Courier-Journal today contains an article that begins, “Public officials nationwide will be watching the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow for word on a Kentucky case that could decide the future of one of state governments’ favorite fiscal tools.”
“My friend, Jerry Falwell”: Larry Flynt has this op-ed today in The Los Angeles Times.
