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ARGUMENT ANALYSIS

No clear decision as justices debate Richard Glossip’s death sentence

at 5:16 p.m.

At oral arguments in Glossip v. Oklahoma, it was not clear how the Supreme Court will rule in Richard Glossip’s appeal for a new trial in the case that put him on death row nearly three decades ago. Glossip, now joined by the state that originally prosecuted him, argues that prosecutors withheld evidence about their key witness, violating his constitutional rights and creating an unfair trial. Oklahoma’s top criminal court, however, says Glossip’s sentence must stand.  

Man speaks to justices on bench while crowd looks on.

The court heard oral arguments in Glossip v. Oklahoma on Oct. 9. (William Hennessy)

SCOTUS NEWS

Court allows Pennsylvania to continue to enforce bar on gun possession for those under 21

 at 5:45 p.m.

The justices on Tuesday let stand a Pennsylvania law that effectively bars 18- to 20-year-olds from openly carrying a gun during a state of emergency. A lower court blocked the law, reasoning that the words “the people” in the Second Amendment “presumptively encompass all Americans.” The justices, without weighing in themselves, told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit to reconsider that decision.

ARGUMENT ANALYSIS

Supreme Court divided over disputed civil rights attorney’s fees

at 5:36 p.m.

The court was divided at oral arguments over a dispute concerning attorney’s fees for some civil rights plaintiffs. The justices seemed skeptical of Virginia’s contention that they should reverse the lower court’s ruling and hold that in cases of temporary relief, like the one here, plaintiffs can never win attorney’s fees. However the justices decide the case, it could have a major impact on civil rights litigation across the country.

ARGUMENT ANALYSIS

Court likely to let Biden’s “ghost gun” regulation stand

at 5:07 p.m.

The court on Oct. 8 seemed ready to uphold a 2022 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives rule regulating as traditional firearms guns that can be built from a kit and have no serial numbers. Known as ghost guns, these weapons have become increasingly popular in recent years. Challengers argued that the ATF had overstepped its authority set out under the 1968 Gun Control Act.

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