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TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2001

The full panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ordered a new trial be held for a Texas man because his lawyer slept through parts of his trial.

The full court reversed a three-judge panel decision which had upheld the 1984 murder conviction of Calvin Burdine. The court said Burdine's constitutional rights were deprived and he should get a new trial.

Authorities in Texas may try him again or could set him free.

Get the Case:
BURDINE v. JOHNSON, No 99-21034 (5th Cir. August 13, 2001)

Get the Story:
Texas death row inmate whose lawyer slept during case deserves new trial, appeals court rules (AP 8/13)

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