Biden Commutes Death Sentences, Supreme Court Orders Review of Oklahoma Case

President Biden Commutes Sentences of Most Federal Death Row Inmates

In a historic move, President Biden has commuted the sentences of most federal death row inmates to life without parole. This decision marks a significant shift in the federal government's approach to capital punishment.

Supreme Court Orders Review of Oklahoma Death Row Case

The Supreme Court has ordered lower courts to review the case of Brenda Andrew, the only woman on Oklahoma's death row. The court's decision stems from concerns that prosecutors' discussion of Andrew's sexual history rendered her trial unfair.

Justices Divided on Relevance of Sexual History Evidence

The court's decision was split, with two justices dissenting. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, argued that the state presented overwhelming evidence of Andrew's participation in her husband's murder and that the discussion of her sexual history was relevant to her defense.

However, lawyers for Andrew argued that the state's case was circumstantial and that the evidence about her sexual history was prejudicial and irrelevant. They argued that the prosecution's focus on Andrew's sex life unfairly swayed the jury.

Evidence Rendered Trial Unfair

A dissenting judge on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Andrew's lawyers, writing that the evidence presented at trial "focused from start to finish on Ms. Andrew's sex life" and deprived her of a fair trial.

The Supreme Court's decision sends Andrew's case back to the lower courts for further review.