June 17, 2004
Justice delayed...
The next time you hear the axiom, "Justice delayed is justice denied," tip your hat to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Hours after a court of appeals decision staying the execution of a Maryland prisoner, the Supreme Court acted by 8 p.m. the same day to lift the stay. Know why? His death warrant expires on Friday!
The Washington Post reports that the Supreme Court lifted the stay and denied the claim that the method used by Maryland in performing lethal injection is unconstitutional.
Stevens, Ginsburg and Breyer dissented. The majority reasoning? They did not feel the need to tell us. To do so might have kept the needle out of the prisoner's arm.
While issues such as the identity of the Cheney energy task force linger, the court springs into action to help kill an inmate. It would be nice if capital punishment actually deterred crime, but we know it does not. What is wrong with this court? Well, let's begin with Rhenquist, Scalia, Thomas... And remember, George W. hasn't even made an appointment yet.
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