Samuel Steven Fields - Kentucky Death Row

**Guest** · 10-18-2010, 06:20 PM

Facts of the Crime:

Was initially sentenced to death on April 29, 1997 for the murder of 84-year-old Bess Horton. His case was reversed and remanded on March 16, 2000. He was re-sentenced to death on January 8, 2004. During the early morning hours of August 19, 1993, in Floyd County, Fields entered the home of Bess Horton through a back window. Field stabbed the victim in the head and slashed her throat. Ms. Horton died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries of the head and neck with exsanguinations. The large knife used to slash her throat was found protruding from her right temple area. Fields was arrested at the scene. The case was transferred to Rowan County.

**Guest** · 10-25-2010, 01:16 PM

March 4, 2009

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Supreme Court has granted a stay of execution to death row inmate Sammy Fields to allow an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The justices ordered the 90-day reprieve just two weeks after rejecting Fields' request to have his case reconsidered and telling the state to set his execution.

Fields was convicted of the gruesome 1993 slaying of 84-year-old Bess Stidham Horton of Grayson. Fields challenged his conviction on claims that he was denied a fair jury selection process and that jurors should have been sequestered.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29510319/

**Moh** · 02-03-2013, 04:34 AM

No. 09-5389 *** CAPITAL CASE ***
Title:
Samuel Steven Fields, Petitioner
v.
Kentucky
Docketed: July 21, 2009
Linked with 08A1005
Lower Ct: Supreme Court of Kentucky
Case Nos.: (2004-SC-000091-MR)
Decision Date: October 23, 2008
Rehearing Denied: February 19, 2009

~~~Date~~~ ~~~~~~~Proceedings and Orders~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 7 2009 Application (08A1005) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from May 20, 2009 to July 19, 2009, submitted to Justice Stevens.
May 13 2009 Application (08A1005) granted by Justice Stevens extending the time to file until July 19, 2009.
Jul 14 2009 Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due August 20, 2009)
Aug 14 2009 Order extending time to file response to petition to and including September 18, 2009.
Sep 18 2009 Brief of respondent Kentucky in opposition filed.
Oct 1 2009 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 19, 2009.
Oct 20 2009 Petition DENIED.

http://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.a...es/09-5389.htm

**Helen** · 12-03-2014, 08:40 AM

Kentucky court won't hear arguments in death case

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Supreme Court has declined to hear oral arguments in the appeal of an inmate condemned to death for a 1997 slaying in Floyd County.

The justices did not give a reason for turning down arguments in the case of 43-year-old Samuel Steven Fields, but they have not issued a final ruling in the case.

Fields has twice been sentenced to death for the Aug. 19, 1993, slaying of 84-year-old Bess Horton during a break-in at her rural home. Horton was stabbed to death and her throat slashed. Fields was arrested at the scene.

A judge handed down the initial death sentence on April 29, 1997, but the decision was overturned. Fields was resentenced to death on Jan. 8, 2004, after his case was moved to Rowan County.

http://www.wkyt.com/news/crimetracke...284580441.html

**Moh** · 05-16-2015, 11:20 AM

On May 14, 2015, Fields filed a habeas petition in Federal District Court.

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/ken...5cv00038/77790

**Heidi** · 01-11-2016, 09:58 AM

In today's orders, the United States Supreme Court declined to review Fields' petition for certiorari.

Lower Ct: Supreme Court of Kentucky
Case Nos.: (2013-SC-000231-TG)
Decision Date: December 18, 2014
Rehearing Denied: May 14, 2015