Guide Note

July 16, 2008: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered the U.S. to stay the executions of five Mexican prisoners in Texas, pending a review of their cases. Condemned killer Jose Medellin is one of the prisoners in question.¹

Fast Facts

1. July 16, 2008: U.S. ordered to halt executions of five Mexican prisoners
2. Order came from the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ)
3. ICJ is the U.N.'s highest court²
4. Jose Medellin set to be executed on August 5, 2008¹
5. Bush administration says ICJ does not have jurisdiction in the case³

In 1994, Mexican citizen Jose Medellin was convicted and sentenced to death in Texas for the rape and murder of teenagers Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman.⁴ In 2003, Mexico sued the U.S. on behalf of Medellin and other prisoners, claiming the inmates were denied their right to confer with the Mexican consulate about their cases.⁵ In 2004, the ICJ ruled the U.S. broke international law, and President Bush ordered Texas to review the prisoners' cases. The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled the Bush administration had overstepped its authority in requesting the review.⁶

Jose Medellin was scheduled for execution on August 5, 2008.