USA - California. The Court of Appeals has tossed out the death penalty sentence of Richard Phillips, white

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has tossed out the death penalty sentence of Richard Phillips, white. He was first sentenced to death in Madera County on February 20, 1980 for the murder of Bruce Bartulis on December 7, 1977. On December 31, 1985, the California Supreme Court reversed Phillips' death sentence and remanded his case to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing. On March 13, 1992, he was again sentenced to death. On January 24, 2000, the California Supreme Court affirmed Phillips' second sentence. The Court of Appeals kept Phillips' first-degree murder conviction intact, but ruled that he should be given a new penalty trial or sentenced to something other than death. The appeals court said a key prosecution witness lied when she denied receiving anything of value for her testimony. The witness was promised immunity from prosecution and the court said that should have been disclosed during Phillips' trial. Phillips was convicted of luring two contractors to a vacant lot with the promise to sell them stolen insulation. Instead, he shot and robbed the men. One of the victims survived and testified against him.