Reversal of Death Sentence Due to the Testimony of the Victim’s Family

During sentencing, courts cannot allow relatives of a murder victim present victim-impact statements that recommend that the killer be sentenced to death, restricting earlier Supreme Court precedent.

Bosse v. Oklahoma, 2016 BL 338178, U.S., No. 15-9173, 10/11/16.

The United States Supreme Court reversed a death row inmate’s sentence because of victim-impact statements made by the family that suggested the death penalty for the convict were improper. This decision clarifies an earlier ruling from 1991 that allowed certain victim-impact statements to be used during trial, limiting the statements from directly recommending to the jury how to convict and sentence a defendant.

https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/desktop/document/Bosse_v_Okla_No_159173_2016_BL_338133_US_Oct_11_2016_Court_Opinio?1476478854