|
|
| Justices Stop Louisiana Execution |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 02/13/2002 |
|
The U.S. Supreme Court halted the execution of a Louisiana inmate last week, less than a half-hour before he was scheduled to die. Warden Burl Cain told inmate Leslie Martin and witnesses that the justices had blocked the execution so they can consider whether to hear Martin's appeal. 'The prisoner was a little bit stunned, a little bit shocked,' Cain said. He said Martin, a Buddhist, was sitting on the floor of his cell with his spiritual adviser when he got word of the stay. Martin, 34, was convicted of raping, killing and mutilating 19-year-old Christina Burgin in Lake Charles in 1991. Her parents were among witnesses at the prison. Appeals centered on several issues, including Martin's claim that prosecutors had no physical evidence of rape; an important element since rape was an aggravating factor that backed up the death sentence under Louisiana law. Defense attorney Clive Stafford-Smith has also challenged testimony that Martin confessed to another inmate while in jail. Prosecutors said Martin choked the victim, cut her throat, gouged her eyes out, put a board on her neck and jumped up and down on it, then left her body in a shed. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Hiring an attorney can present confusing situations for someone. It’s hard to tell whether you’ll get the best service possible in your situation. You likely have a lot of questions. Will your lawyer hand off your matter to someone else? Will your lawyer return your phone calls? It’s hard to know without someone you can trust. If you been rollover accident in Waco you need a lawyer. People in Central Texas have trusted Dunnam & Dunnam for almost 100 years for their most pressing legal concerns. They understand the value of a good advocate. They’re a family helping Waco families since 1925.