Brumfield v. Cain
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-1433 | 5th Cir. | Mar 30, 2015 | Jun 18, 2015 | 5-4 | Sotomayor | OT 2014 |
Holding: Because the inmate’s evidence of intellectual disability satisfied the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(2), he was entitled to have his claim based on Atkins v. Virginia, in which the Court held that the Constitution prohibits the execution of the mentally disabled, considered on the merits in federal court.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Sotomayor on June 18, 2015. Justice Thomas filed a dissenting opinion in all but Part I-C, of which Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Scalia, and Justice Alito joined. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion, in which Chief Justice Roberts joined.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Crawford narrowed, Atkins solidified (Lyle Denniston, June 18, 2015)
- A “view” from the Courtroom: A bonus day for opinions (Mark Walsh, June 18, 2015)
- Argument analysis: The record's the thing -- unfortunately (Lyle Denniston, March 30, 2015)
- Argument preview: Mental disability and death sentencing (Lyle Denniston, March 27, 2015)
- Court to rule on license plate messages, two other cases (Lyle Denniston, December 5, 2014)
- Petition of the day (Maureen Johnston, October 7, 2014)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| May 29 2014 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 2, 2014) |
| Jul 2 2014 | Order extending time to file response to petition to and including July 9, 2014. |
| Jul 3 2014 | Brief of respondent Burl Cain, Warden in opposition filed. |
| Jul 22 2014 | Reply of petitioner Kevan Brumfield filed. |
| Jul 23 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 29, 2014. |
| Sep 30 2014 | Record Requested . |
| Oct 2 2014 | Record received from U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit. The record is electronic. |
| Oct 6 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 10, 2014. |
| Oct 6 2014 | Record received from the U.S.D.C. Middle District of Louisiana (5 boxes). The remaining record is electronic. |
| Oct 6 2014 | Record received from U.S.D.C. Middle District of Louisiana. (5 Boxes) |
| Oct 14 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 17, 2014. |
| Oct 27 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 31, 2014. |
| Nov 3 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 7, 2014. |
| Nov 10 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 14, 2014. |
| Nov 17 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 25, 2014. |
| Dec 1 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of December 5, 2014. |
| Dec 5 2014 | Petition GRANTED. |
| Jan 20 2015 | Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed.) |
| Jan 20 2015 | Brief of petitioner Kevan Brumfield filed. |
| Jan 27 2015 | Brief amici curiae of Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., et al. filed. |
| Feb 2 2015 | SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Monday, March 30, 2015 |
| Feb 12 2015 | CIRCULATED |
| Feb 19 2015 | Brief of respondent Burl Cain, Warden filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 17 2015 | Reply of petitioner Kevan Brumfield filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 30 2015 | Argued. For petitioner: Michael B. DeSanctis, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Premila Burns, Baton Rouge, La. |
| Jun 18 2015 | Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Thomas, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in all but Part I-C of which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia and Alito, JJ., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Roberts, C. J., joined. |
| Jul 20 2015 | JUDGMENT ISSUED. |
| Jul 21 2015 | Records from U.S.D.C. Middle Dist. of Louisiana has been returned. |
