The U.S. Supreme Court announced on April 15 that it will not hear an appeal by gay death row inmate Charles Rhines, who contends that the jury that chose death over life in prison without parole in his murder trial in 1993 was tainted by homophobic statements by some of the jurors during deliberations. Rhines v. Young, No. 18-8029 (filed Feb. 15, 2019). At the same time, the Court announced that it will not take … <Read More>
Charles Russell Rhines
Supreme Court Rejects Gay Death Row Inmate’s Appeal
The Supreme Court has denied a petition from South Dakota gay death row inmate Charles Russell Rhines, who challenges the fairness of his death sentence in light of evidence that some jurors were taking anti-gay stereotypes into account while determining his sentence. In line with its normal practice, the Supreme Court merely listed the case as “certiorari denied” without an explanation on June 18. Rhines v. South Dakota, 2018 WL 2102800 (No. 17-8791).
Rhines was … <Read More>