USA - California. The California Supreme Court decided unanimously to overturn the death sentence of Sergio D. Nelson

The California Supreme Court decided unanimously to overturn the death sentence of Sergio D. Nelson, a man convicted of killing 2 former co-workers in 1993 after he had been passed over for promotion. Nelson was 19 when he shot and killed Robin Shirley and Lee Thompson. Nelson, who had no prior criminal history, admitted the killings but argued they stemmed from depression. During the penalty phase of his trial, a jury deadlocked on whether he should be sentenced to life without parole or to death. A 2nd jury empaneled to recommend Nelson's sentence also had trouble reaching a decision. After being told the jury was deadlocked, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Clarence Stromwall allowed the jurors to be questioned about their deliberations and removed one of the holdouts. Nelson was sentenced to death on September 9, 1995. The state high court said Nelson was entitled to a new trial on his sentence because the death verdict had been tainted by "the intrusive influence" of the trial court's questions and comments.