Originally Posted by
Heidi
I get it..My issue with this stay of execution is, Balentine's own mother would not step up for him at the penalty phase. How is that ineffective counsel?
I live in Virginia, and the average stay on death row is 8 to 10 years. Virginia has a well established appeals process. Virginia assesses mental competency prior to trial, DNA tests are established, and Virginia has all ducks in line before they go to a grand jury for a capital indictment.
There is nothing wrong with the appeals process. It works. The number of appeals isn't the issue either. The issue is the judges that are supposed to uphold state and federal law and TRY to legislate from the bench...even if the ruling is a temporary stay!
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