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Dean supports death penalty
The Governor spoke about his position on the death penalty and the appropriate usage of the death penalty for the state of Vermont.
Spaziano gets new lawyers, judge
A key witness in the trial of Joseph Spaziano, for the murder of Laura Harberts, changed his statement. Spaziano now has a new legal team and the presiding judge has removed himself in fear of impartiality. Spaziano's execution has been postponed and…
Court gives 'Crazy Joe' 11th-hour reprieve
“Crazy Joe” Spaziano receives a last-minute stay of execution on his 50th birthday September 25, 1995. In 1975 police charged Joe Spaziano with the 1973 rape-torture slaying of 18-year-old hospital clerk Laura Lynn Harberts. Jurors found Spaziano…
Florida Supreme Courts grants Spaziano a stay of execution
This article is about a stay of execution granted by the Florida Supreme to Joe Spaziano after Michael Mello refused to send his paperwork to state lawyers.
Arguments heard in death appeal
Death row inmate requests appeal in case two weeks before execution.
Spaziano insists he's innocent
Spaziano later claims his innocence in court and Gov. Lawton Chiles delayed Spaziano's execution based on this information.
Reveal report on Spaziano
Governor Lawton Chiles should release a summary of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement report that he used to determine that Spaziano's murder conviction was just.
Spaziano's lawyer wants off case
Lawyer for Joseph Spaziano, Michael Mello, asks The Florida Bar if he should remain on the case. Due to lack of time and money, Mello finds this case hindered.
'Crazy Joe' defense to dispute secret probe
On Tuesday August 29, 1995, "Crazy Joe" Spaziano's defense lawyer Michael Mello challenges death warrant.
Governor asked to free 'Crazy Joe'
This is an article describing the admittance that a testimony previously given in trial of Joe Spaziano was false. Spaziano's lawyer Michael Mello has asked the governor to free Spaziano, while the police are certain that Spaziano is still the…
Gov. Chiles Halts Execution After Witness Recants
Witness claims Florida police planted story in his head using hypnosis.
Closing the door on innocence
News article covering Mello's continued defense of Joseph Spaziano 23 days before his execution is carried out.
Florida Court ruling could spare lives of some condemned inmates
The Flordia Court made a ruling to spare the lives of condemned inmates.
Porno Ban Is Assailed: Condition Imposed on Alleged Rapist Called Improper
Newspaper article analyzing the legality of a judges ruling to ban an alleged rapist from owning or viewing pornography. Michael Mello and other legal professionals give insight into the case.
Treatment Programs For Inmates Raise Deep Questions
An article about treatment programs in Vermont dealing with sexual and violent offenders. Programs in Vermont deal with the rehabilitation of inmates with questionable methods that some argue are not constitutional. Mello, Pithers, and Bush, three…
Girmay Ruling May Affect Use Of Insanity Defense
Haile Selassie Girmay is a man accused of murdering two Dartmouth College students. He may use insanity as a defense, but that defense may be impacted by a ruling from Judge Peter Smith. Smith found that Girmay's taped confession will be permissible…
Ruling Over DNA Testing To Have Impact
An article about the approval for use of DNA testing in federal court rulings.
Legal Scholar on Death Row Fights to Halt Own Execution
Legal scholar Joseph Giarratano appeals to the Supreme Court in an attempt to commute his death sentence and save his life.
Appeals ruling key to death sentence: Inmate leaves Death Row for life term
Paul Edward Magill was sentenced to death for crimes he committed as a juvenile. He went through many trials with many appeals. He is now withstanding the last trial to determine his fate. Magill stated that more people had gotten off Death Row than…