Monday, June 15, 2009

People v. Avila & Dykes (Cal. Supreme Ct. - June 15, 2009)

Not that there's ever a good day to be on death row in California, but for at least two people, today's an even worse day than normal.

Not that this is massively surprising. But you do have the California Supreme Court unanimously affirming two different death penalty cases today. In the first, People v. Dykes, Chief Justice George writes the opinion for a unanimous court, and topping out at 114 pages. In the second, People v. Avila, Justice Chin writes the opinion for a unanimous court, and comes in a comparatively brief 63 pages.

Two entirely different cases. But the same result. Almost as if the justices knew that people were watching.