a federal judge has ordered that Scott Wayne Blystone be resentenced
a federal judge has ordered that Scott Wayne Blystone be resentenced
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a federal judge has ordered that Scott Wayne Blystone be resentenced on grounds that his lawyer failed to provide an adequate defense.
U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster in Pittsburgh said Blystone's court-appointed lawyer failed to develop or present mitigating evidence that might have spared Blystone from being sentenced to die, even though such evidence was abundant. The judge said that violated the constitutional guarantee that accused criminals are entitled to the assistance of counsel.
Blystone, now 48 and incarcerated at the state prison in Greene, was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery in the September 1983 death of Dalton Smithburger Jr.
U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster in Pittsburgh said Blystone's court-appointed lawyer failed to develop or present mitigating evidence that might have spared Blystone from being sentenced to die, even though such evidence was abundant. The judge said that violated the constitutional guarantee that accused criminals are entitled to the assistance of counsel.
Blystone, now 48 and incarcerated at the state prison in Greene, was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery in the September 1983 death of Dalton Smithburger Jr.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Associated Press, 31/03/2005)
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