Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Prevention Not Punishment

Criminal Law

: Prevention Not Punishment

TN Death Row Inmate Receives New Trial

By Kristin Houle

On March 7, 2008, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the conviction and death sentence of Richard Taylor. The court's ruling grants Taylor a new trial due to a variety of constitutional errors at his original trial. These errors include the denial of his constitutional right to counsel at a pre-trial competency hearing, the failure of the trial court to hold a competency hearing during the trial, and the failure of the trial court to appoint advisory counsel. Taylor, who is severely mentally ill, was permitted to represent himself at trial, despite significant questions about his competency. [Source: Death Penalty Information Center]The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has represented Taylor in the appeal of his conviction...continue to full post

Full post as published by Prevention Not Punishment on March 17, 2008 (boomark / email).