SCOTUS Soon to Hear More Death Penalty Appeals

"The court will hear arguments Dec. 7 in two capital cases, involving Kansas' death penalty law and rules for evidence convicted murderers can use to try to avoid a death sentence. A Jan. 11 argument is scheduled in a case that asks when people should get an additional chance to prove their innocence based on new evidence like DNA.

Because rulings usually take several months, O'Connor will probably not vote in those cases. Tie votes could be broken by O'Connor's successor...O'Connor has often been the swing vote in death cases, including a 5-4 decision earlier this year that overturned Alito's appeals court ruling against a Pennsylvania inmate." Here is a recap of the Roberts' Court's recent decisions in capital cases, from NYTimes.com. [Mark Godsey]