World opinion allowed into Texas case

[rainbow4321]

We're actually going to LISTEN to the world..there's a concept we haven't seen in the last 4 yrs and one month.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/121104dntexscotus.902ba.html


WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court invited world opinion into its consideration of capital punishment Friday, accepting the case of a Mexican national sentenced to death in Texas for his part in the rape and murder of two teenage girls.

The case of Jose Ernesto Medellin attracted international attention this year, when the World Court at The Hague ruled that the United States had violated his and 50 other Mexican nationals' rights by not informing their home countries of their arrests and trials.

Through a spokesman, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott chafed at the prospect of international sway over the conduct of Texas courts.

"The crime was committed in Texas. The defendants were arrested in Texas. The case was tried in Texas courts before a Texas jury," said spokesman Jerry Strickland. "Their punishment should be handled under Texas law."
Immigrants Facing Death
The jurisdictions with foreign nationals on death row, and how many each have:

California, 43
Texas, 27
Florida, 22
Arizona, 5
Nevada, 4
Ohio, 4
Louisiana, 3
Pennsylvania, 2
Federal government, 2
Georgia, 1
Mississippi, 1
Montana, 1
Oklahoma, 1
Oregon, 1
Virginia, 1