USA - Alabama. The Alabama Supreme Court overturned Brandon Washington's death sentence

The Alabama Supreme Court Friday overturned Brandon Washington's death sentence. Washington, 24, black, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for killing store clerk Justin Campbell during the robbery of a store in January 2005. Washington had been fired from the store two days prior to Campbell's slaying. The court said improper testimony from Campbell's parents was admitted at the sentencing hearing. That included the parents describing Washington as "someone without a conscience" and saying a death sentence was appropriate. The Supreme Court also said the presentencing report prepared for the trial judge did not address Washington's troubled adolescence and mental health problems. The next step is for Washington to get another sentencing hearing. (see Jan. 13, 2006).