Enlarge image
room for an execution (icon image)
Photo: HANDOUT/ REUTERS
He escaped execution – at least for the time being.
In the United States, a man had been sentenced to death for the murder of several family members.
The legal dispute lasted around 40 years until the highest court in California on Thursday (local time) confirmed the man's conviction for first-degree murder of his father.
However, all seven judges overturned the second-degree murder convictions of the stepmother and then eight-year-old stepsister – and with them the death penalty specifically imposed for the multiple murders.
The man only wanted to plead guilty to the killing of the father, but not in the other two cases, according to the verdict.
Contrary to the man's will, his lawyers had admitted his responsibility for all three acts, thereby violating his rights.
However, the public prosecutor's office may indict the man again on the points "if they so wish".
Family members found with gunshot wounds
In April 1982, police found the father and stepmother dead from gunshot wounds at the family home in Los Angeles.
The eight-year-old stepsister initially survived with serious injuries, but later died from a gunshot wound to the head.
She also suffered 23 stab wounds and lacerations to her head, neck and other parts of her body.
Eyewitnesses reported in court that they had observed arguments between the then 18-year-old and his father.
The suspect was carrying a gun and later shots were heard.
The defense argued that the acts were not planned, but triggered by a strong emotional reaction to years of abuse by the father.
A grand jury found the man guilty in 1983.
In 1984 he was sentenced to death for the first time.
An appeals court overturned the verdict in 1997 on the grounds that the defense had failed to present evidence of their client's mental state.
In 2001, after the trial was repeated, the man was sentenced to death again.
ani/dpa