USA - California. The California Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Louis Zaragoza

The California Supreme Court has overturned 7-0 the death sentence of Louis Zaragoza. The court in a unanimous decision said Monday that a judge wrongly dismissed a prospective juror in Zaragoza's trial. Though the juror opposed the death penalty, the court said she showed she could set aside her views on capital punishment when determining a sentence. Zaragoza was sentenced to death in San Joaquin County on May 24, 2001 for the shooting death of David Gaines, 36, on June 10, 1999. Gaines had been trying to protect his elderly father who was being robbed by Zaragosa. The case is People vs. Zaragoza, S097886.