| July, 2007 |
| July 10, 2007 Today, the Supreme Court of the State of Alabama denied the defense writ of mandamus. In other words, Judge Thompson's recusal stands. |
| Recusal order (.pdf) |
| Earliest possible trial date: September 10, 2007 |
| On May 11, the Court of Criminal Appeals ruled unanimously (5/5) to recuse Judge Thompson. On July 10, the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled unanimously (5/5) to uphold the recusal. It was the culmination of almost five years battle to get a second trial, and a fair one. The new judge (Judge Haddock), the prosecution, and the defense were ready to go. The defense lawyer had filed no further appeals; he did not ask the Supreme Court of Alabama to reconsider their decision. But, on July 23, the Supreme Court of Alabama issued a "notice" that : "This petition for writ of mandamus, having been denied on July 10, 2007, is placed on rehearing, ex mero motu." There is no author of the notice. "Ex mero motu" is Latin for "on their own," "of their own free will," or more literally, "on a mere impulse." It means they are not required by law to do anything, and no party to the case is asking them to do anything, but they're going to stop active plans to set a trial date in order to re-review the recusal. |
| The notice (.pdf) |
