You see? Defendants sentenced to death in the Ninth Circuit really do die.
Mind you, the defendant here -- Milo Stanley -- was sentenced to death nearly a quarter century ago, in 1987. But the appellate process of putting Stanley to death continued apace during this entire period. And finally, earlier this month, the process reached its end.
Oh, Stanley wasn't put to death. He committed suicide in his cell.
Which leaves only one final thing to do. (Besides get rid of the body.) Vacate any judgments that were the subject of pending appeals. Which is what the Ninth Circuit does.
