State High Court Voids Capital Punishment Law
- Share via
From Times Wire Reports
New York’s highest court struck down the state’s capital punishment law in a ruling overturning a death sentence.
The State Court of Appeals in Albany ruled in a 4-3 decision that a provision of the law on instructing juries of the consequences of a deadlock -- that the defendant could someday be released -- violated the state’s constitution.
The case was an appeal by convicted killer Stephen LaValle, who was sentenced to death in 1999 for the 1997 murder of teacher Cynthia Quinn. LaValle was ordered resentenced.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
