USA - Oklahoma. The 10th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals overturned the death sentence of Sterling B. Williams, 30, black

The 10th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals overturned 3-0 the June 1999 death sentence of Sterling B. Williams, 30, black, saying a Tulsa County judge did not allow the jury to consider a verdict for 2nd-degree murder along with a verdict for 1st-degree murder. He was convicted of the 1st-degree murder of LeAnna Hand, who was fatally stabbed in 1997 at her home. The death penalty cannot be given for 2nd-degree murder, which differs from 1st-degree murder in that premeditation did not exist. Mr. Williams was a door-to-door meat salesman, and Miss Hand, 22, was one of his customers.