in Jefferson City, the Missouri Supreme Court threw out Gary Black's conviction and death sentence

in Jefferson City, the Missouri Supreme Court threw out Gary Black's conviction and death sentence in the Oct. 2, 1998, killing of Jason Johnson. The Court ruled that his trial lawyers failed to adequately question conflicting testimony on whether the slaying was premeditated. Gary Black, now 49, who is white, was sentenced to death after his conviction of first-degree murder in the death of Jason Johnson, 28, who was black. The court's decision reversed that conviction and ordered that Black receive a new trial. The case is Gary Black, Appellant, v. State of Missouri, Respondent; SC85535. ON THE NET: www.courts.mo.gov/sup/index.nsf