a man on death row for killing his girlfriend's 8-year-old daughter should get a new sentencing hearing

a man on death row for killing his girlfriend's 8-year-old daughter should get a new sentencing hearing because of errors, Maryland's highest court ruled.
The Court of Appeals called for the new hearing for Jamaal K. Abeokuto, who claimed 17 legal errors when he was sentenced to die. Abeokuto was convicted on November 15, 2004 of slitting the throat of Marciana Ringo in December 2002.
Abeokuto's lawyers asked for a new trial, saying he was not competent to waive a jury trial and sentencing. His verdict and death sentence were handed down by a Baltimore County judge.
The appeals court judges did not grant Abeokuto a new trial, but four of them did agree he should get a new sentencing hearing.