That's the title of an AP report on a Department of Justice filing in the continuing jurisdictional dispute between Rhode Island and the federal government. It's via the San Francisco Chronicle.
Federal Justice Department officials are recommending that the U.S. Supreme Court decline to review the case of a Rhode Island man caught in a dispute between state and federal officials over the death penalty.
Jason Pleau is charged with killing a Woonsocket gas station manager in 2010. He's currently in federal custody and faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee had refused to turn over Pleau to federal authorities, citing the state's rejection of the death penalty. But an appeals court ruled the state must surrender Pleau to federal officials.
The Providence Journal reports, "US Justice Department urges Supreme Court not to take up custody battle over accused killer Jason Pleau." It's written by Tracy Breton.
Governor Chafee is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review and overturn an appeals court ruling that the state must surrender Pleau to federal custody in connection with the 2010 robbery and shooting death of gas station manager David D. Main in Woonsocket. Chafee had refused to relinquish Pleau from state prison, citing the state's longstanding rejection of the death penalty. Pleau's federal trial is now scheduled for 2013.
Chafee's petition for writ of certiorari is supported by the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and several criminal defense organizations as well as a group dedicated to preserving states' rights.
The US Supreme Court asked the Justice Department to weigh in.
Earlier coverage of the state-federal dispute begins at the link. Related posts are in the federal death penalty category index.
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