JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court has ordered a new sentencing hearing for death row inmate Anthony Doss, reversing a ruling it handed down last December.
In a 5-4 decision Thursday, the court said Doss deserves a new sentencing because a jury didn't hear about his troubled childhood or evidence of mental problems.
A Grenada County jury sentenced Doss to death in 1993 for his role in the armed robbery and killing of Robert C. Bell, a clerk at the Sparks Stop-N-Shop convenience store.
The Supreme Court initially ruled against Doss' request for a new sentencing hearing.
On Thursday, a majority of justices found Doss was represented at trial by a lawyer who had not previously handled a capital case and who failed to present evidence to oppose the death penalty.
In a 5-4 decision Thursday, the court said Doss deserves a new sentencing because a jury didn't hear about his troubled childhood or evidence of mental problems.
A Grenada County jury sentenced Doss to death in 1993 for his role in the armed robbery and killing of Robert C. Bell, a clerk at the Sparks Stop-N-Shop convenience store.
The Supreme Court initially ruled against Doss' request for a new sentencing hearing.
On Thursday, a majority of justices found Doss was represented at trial by a lawyer who had not previously handled a capital case and who failed to present evidence to oppose the death penalty.
