Judge John E. Morse Jr. has overturned Ernest U. Morrison's death sentence

Judge John E. Morse Jr. has overturned Ernest U. Morrison's death sentence. Judge Morse, of the Eastern Judicial Circuit, ruled Morrison's convictions for rape, robbery and murder should stand, but the death sentence must be reversed for ineffective assistance of counsel. Morrison, 47, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court and waived his right to a jury trial on the issue of punishment. He was sentenced to death in November 1987 for the Jan. 9, 1987, murder of Mary Edna Griffin, 54. Either the prosecutor of the case and the attorney general's office may appeal Judge Morse's ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court, or Mr. Morrison's case could be returned to Augusta for a new sentencing trial.