New York high court rules death penalty statute violates state constitution

The New York Court of Appeals ruled today that part of the state's death penalty statute violates the state constitution, potentially overturning the sentences of all four inmates on death row in the state. The 4-3 ruling, which came in the case of Stephen LaValle, who was convicted of raping and killing a jogger in 1997, said the sentencing rules could force some jurors to vote for a death sentence rather than deadlock. In New York, if the jury deadlocks, a 20 to 25 year  to life sentence is imposed, with the possibility of parole. [more]