Appealed From: U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
Subject: Eighth Amendment; Capital Punishment; Criminal Law; Jury Instructions

Decision: In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that a judge does not have to tell jury members about evidence that might make sentence a defendant to life in prison rather than death.

• Read the full text of the 4th Circuit decision, Buchanan v. Angelone, at the Findlaw Internet Legal Services Web site. Also read the Eighth Amendment at the Findlaw Internet Legal Services Web site.

Sources: The Washington Post, Supreme Court, The United States Law Week (a Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. publication)