USA - Mississippi. Judge Michael P. Mills has thrown out the death sentence given to Quintez Wren Hodges

U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills has thrown out the death sentence given to Quintez Wren Hodges in 2001 in Lowndes County. Judge Mills, in a decision released today, said Hodges' legal representation "was so lacking" as to render "unreasonable" a later Mississippi Supreme Court decision addressing several factors, including presentation of false evidence and ineffective counsel, during sentencing at his trial. Mills also cited improper and insufficient instructions to the jury about its choices for Hodges' verdict. State prosecutors have 60 days to vacate his death sentence, start new sentencing proceedings or impose a sentence less than death. Hodges was sentenced to death for the July 21, 1999, fatal shooting of Isaac Johnson, 17. Hodges also was sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping Johnson's sister, Cora Johnson, and her baby. Authorities said Hodges was the ex-boyfriend of Cora Johnson and the father of her child. The woman and her daughter were not harmed.