Harbison v. Bell
Issue: Whether the Terrorist Death Penalty Enhancement Act of 2005 provides prisoners sentenced under state law the right to federally appointed and funded counsel to pursue clemency under state law, and whether a district court’s denial of such a request may be appealed without a certificate of appealability.
Judgment: Reversed, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens on April 1, 2009.
Briefs and Documents
Merit briefs
Amicus briefs
Certiorari-Stage Documents