in Phoenix, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned a man’s death sentence...
in Phoenix, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned a man’s death sentence...
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in Phoenix, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned a man’s death sentence and instead gave him life in prison for the murder of an Indian immigrant just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The court unanimously upheld Frank Silva Roque’s conviction in the Sept. 15, 2001 shooting of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Mesa gas station owner who prosecutors say was mistaken by Roque for an Arab. Sodhi wore a turban and beard as part of his Sikh faith. In overturning the death sentence, the high court cited Roque’s low IQ and expert testimony that Roque was either insane or suffering mental disorders.
The court unanimously upheld Frank Silva Roque’s conviction in the Sept. 15, 2001 shooting of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Mesa gas station owner who prosecutors say was mistaken by Roque for an Arab. Sodhi wore a turban and beard as part of his Sikh faith. In overturning the death sentence, the high court cited Roque’s low IQ and expert testimony that Roque was either insane or suffering mental disorders.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, 14/08/2006)
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