[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, CONN., FLA., OHIO, COLO., NEV., USA
June 21 TEXAS: Prosecutors address shock belt use in response to Calvert's death row appeal State prosecutors have filed a long-awaited response to convicted murderer James Calvert's appeal filed in October 2017. The 286-page document filed with the Court of Criminal Appeals this week is the prosecution's detailed response to the 29 points of error listed in Calvert's original appeal. The document was written by Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham, First Assistant April Sikes, and Michael West, assistant criminal district attorney. Calvert was found guilty of capital murder in 2015 and sentenced to death for the brutal murder of his ex-wife, Jelena Sriraman, in Tyler, before abducting their 4-year-old child and fleeing to Louisiana on Halloween in 2012. Calvert is seeking a new trial, and with this filing the decision on whether that happens rests with the Court of Appeals. A main point of the appeal for both sides is the use of a 50,000-volt shock belt while Calvert was on trial in Smith County's 241st District Court. Calvert claims its use violated his right to due process, while prosecutors say it was used in accordance with guidelines and only when Calvert refused to obey deputies orders. Prosecutors present details from the testimony of several people in the courtroom when the shock incidents occurred, and the disciplinary reasons the shock belt was used, including Calvert allegedly taunting deputies and refusing to obey orders. Prosecutors also allude that Calvert intentionally put himself in a position to be shocked so that it could be used in his appeal. "The record thus shows that Appellant, knowing he would be shocked for defying the orders of deputies, nonetheless refused to comply and apparently achieved the result he wanted - he was shocked," the document states. Smith County is 1 of several in Texas who use electric shock devices to control defendants who are determined to be a security risk. A footnote to the document explains that at the time the 2nd shock was administered, the "courtroom was literally filled with the firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition that had been seized from his vehicle and admitted into evidence." The list includes 2 AR-15 rifles, 2 pistols, an AK-47 style rifle, and SKS-style rifle and 5 metal boxes of ammo. (source: KLTV news) CONNECTICUT: Ex-death row inmate sentenced to life for murder A former death row inmate was resentenced on Wednesday to life in prison for the 2002 slaying of a single mother. Lazale Ashby, 33, had his sentence converted as a result of the state Supreme Court decision to end capital punishment. Ashby, who was convicted in 2008, raped and strangled Elizabeth Garcia inside her Hartford apartment as her 2-year-old daughter watched television in another room. The victim's daughter, who is now 17, spoke at the hearing and described the pain of never knowing her mother, the Hartford Courant reported . "He should be deprived of his freedom and he must be reminded of the horrible things he's done," the teen said. The teen's grandmother, Betsy Betterini, told the Hartford Superior Court judge that her daughter Elizabeth would have been proud to see the teen as the courageous, college-bound young woman she has become. Ashby, who did not speak during the sentencing hearing, also is serving a 25-year sentence for a fatal shooting that took place in 2003. An appeal of his conviction in the Garcia case is pending. The state Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 2015. 9 of the state's 11 former death row inmates have since been resentenced to life in prison. (source: Associated Press) FLORIDA: Defense: preserve most evidence in Florida school shooting Defense attorneys for Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz are asking a judge to order investigators to preserve most evidence in the case, except for the building where the Valentine???s Day massacre took place. A hearing was set Thursday on motions seeking to preserve evidence including field notes made by law enforcement officials that may have some bearing on the case. The motions don???t object to the planned destruction of the crime scene building where 17 people died and 17 others were wounded in the attack in February. Delayed until a July 16 hearing is another defense motion seeking to prevent public release of Cruz's statement to detectives after the shooting. The Cruz lawyers say it would jeopardize his fair trial rights. 19-year-old Cruz faces the death penalty if convicted. (source: Associated Press) OHIO: Judy Malinowski case: Judge suggests parties consider plea deal in death-penalty trial The Franklin County judge assigned to preside over the death-penalty trial of Michael W. Slager told prosecuting and defense attorneys Wednesday not to overlook the possiblity of reaching a plea agreement in the case. The jury
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
June 21 GHANA: J.B Danquah's 'killer' mentally unstable - Lawyer Lawyer Yaw Obuor, counsel for Daniel Asiedu one of the suspects standing trial in the murder of the former MP for Abuakwa North Constituency, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, has said the suspect is a minor and is mentally unstable. Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Dondon, on Wednesday, told an Accra District Court that he was hired by some persons in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to kill the Legislator and was rather told to mention the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as his 'contractors' whenever he's questioned about the crime. According to him, he was promised to be provided with whatever he asks for after he's been able to carry out the assignment. He added that he's still not heard from his "contractors". Daniel Asiedu who was arrested after he stabbed the late MP in his East Legon home while sleeping on the dawn of Tuesday, February 9, 2016, told the court that only 1 person from the NPP has visited him since his arrest and is ready to mention the names of the persons who contracted him if he is asked to. But the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen who has followed the case in court in an interview with host Akwasi Nsiah on Si Mi So on Kasapa FM described Daniel Asiedu as a dishonest character whose words should not be taken seriously. He said the suspect has not been consistent with his statements about his involvement in the murder making his not a credible character. "We need to be serious and not waste our time on such baseless allegations, he should mention the name of the persons he claims contracted him to commit the murder. This guy has not been consistent. Initially, when he was caught he told the police that he knew nothing about the crime, later he said it was the NDC who contracted him and now he's saying it's the NPP. Can you take such a person seriously?" But Daniel Asiedu's Counsel, Lawyer Obuor insists his client is not in the right state of mind. "I can tell you and I've said it that he has a mental problem, I applied for bail for him last week but the bail was refused. He's aware that we were going to apply for bail for him again, it will be filed early next week." He told Joy FM. Meanwhile, Criminal Lawyer, Martin Kpebu has said the suspect's confession is not enough and expects the case to move to the High Court where the suspect will face the death penalty if convicted. (source: ghanaweb.com) PAKISTAN: The life of a condemned prisoner Recently, 17 prisoners were released under Article 45; however, there remain many more that are waiting to be set free. During the recent Eid-ul Fitr celebrations, the president of Pakistan announced his decision to grant remissions to prisoners across the country, under Article 45 of the Constitution. In light of this decision, 17 prisoners were released; however, there remain many more that are waiting to be set free. One such example is that of Muhammad Iqbal alias 'Bali', who has been in jail for 18 years without any respite in sight. Bali was a juvenile when he committed the offense that landed him in prison, back in 1999. Despite this, he was sentenced to death by the Special Court under the Anti Terrorism Act of 1997, and his subsequent appeals to the High Court, as well as the Supreme Court, were also turned down. While the co-accused persons in his case were discharged from jail after completing their sentences, Iqbal has not been offered the same respite, and he was not even allowed to go to his parent's funerals either, both of them having died without seeing their son receive the justice he deserved. Iqbal was set to be sent to the gallows last year, after the dismissal of his 1st mercy petition by the president of Pakistan. His 2nd mercy petition was filed on humanitarian grounds by a third party, and it was tentatively acknowledged by the office of the President's Secretariat (Public) in Islamabad, which forwarded it to the Office of Ministry of Interior for further follow up. This acknowledgment of his 2nd mercy petition resulted in a temporary stay in his execution, subject to the result of his clemency plea, which is currently pending adjudication in the office of the President. Bali was a juvenile when he committed the offense that landed him in prison, back in 1999. Despite this, he was sentenced to death by the Special Court under the Anti Terrorism Act of 1997. It is disturbing to note that the case of 'Bali' is unfortunately not the only such case that needs to be highlighted. There are countless other prisoners in similar situations, including Abdul Basit, a wheelchair bound prisoner currently housed in Faisalabad Central jail. It is important for the president of Pakistan to understand that he cannot keep procrastinating over decisions of such importance, especially when a person's life is on the line. Even though Article 45 of
