Supreme Court reverses death sentence for Texas man News
Supreme Court reverses death sentence for Texas man

[JURIST] The US Supreme Court Monday reversed the death sentence of a Texas man because jurors were not instructed to consider mitigating evidence when deliberating on the sentence. LaRoyce Lathair Smith was convicted of murdering a former co-worker during an attempted robbery at a Dallas Taco Bell. Read the court's per curiam opinion [PDF]. AP has more.

Also Monday, the Court did not grant any new petitions for certiorari. Among the cases the court declined to hear was an appeal of a US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Kmart had no authority to pay more than $300 million to supplies after the store filed for bankruptcy. AP has more. Read the Court's full Order List [PDF].

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.