Mexican citizen Jose Medellin was convicted of raping and killing two teen girls in 1993 in the state of Texas.BBC News: Bush overruled in Death Row Case(March 25, 2008) Medellin was sentenced to death and was executed by lethal injection on August 5, 2008.WashingtonPost.com: Mexican National Executed in Texas (August 6, 2008)
Case Background
Mexico sued the U.S. in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on behalf of Medellin and other Mexican prisoners who have been convicted and sentenced in the U.S. Mexico claims the prisoners were denied of their right to consult Mexican diplomats. The ICJ ordered the U.S. to halt the execution on July 16, 2008.Reuters: Court to Rule on Mexico Bid to Halt U.S. Executions(June 11, 2008) The ICJ ruled that the Bush's Administration must reconsider the case. In 2005, the White House instructed Texas to reconsider the conviction. CNN: Supreme Court overrules Bush, OKs Texas execution(March 25, 2008)
On April 30, 2007, the Supreme Court agreed to review the Medellin Vs. Texas. The New York Times: Supreme Court to Hear Appeal of Mexican Death Row Inmate(May 1, 2007) On March 25, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the arguments of the Bush Administration, and ruled that President Bush can't force Texas to reconsider, even if in violation of the International Court of Justice.BBC News: Bush overruled in Death Row Case(March 25, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
-
Born
March 4, 1975
-
Name
Jose Ernesto Medellin
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Convicted of the rapes and murders of two teen girls
-
Fact:
Victims: 16-year-old Elizabeth Pena and 15-year-old Jennifer Ertman
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Claims he was not informed of his right to contact Mexican consulate officials under the Vienna Convention treaty CNN: Supreme Court overrules Bush, OKs Texas execution(March 25, 2008)
-
Fact:
Mexican government obtained a ruling from ICJ in 2004
-
Fact:
After ruling, President Bush issued memo that US courts would implement the ICJ ruling
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Medellin was executed by lethal injection on August 5, 2008, as scheduledWashingtonPost.com: Mexican National Executed in Texas (August 6, 2008)
