Jones v. Chappell Oral Arguments Coming Up at the Ninth Circuit

Remember Jones v. Chappell?

At the time we were very excited: A federal District Court judge, Judge Cormac Carney of Orange County, declared the death penalty in California unconstitutional because of the decades-long delay in its administration. In fact, we were so excited that we organized a public petition to the Attorney General, asking her not to appeal the decision. We got some press and support from more than 2,000 signees (thank you!) and there were even a few surreal plot twists.  Much to our disappointment, the Attorney General decided to appeal the decision.

On August 31, the Ninth Circuit will hear oral arguments in the case (now called Jones v. Davis--change of wardens). CCC will be there to report. If you want to read up a bit in the meantime, here's the amicus brief submitted by Death Penalty Focus.