Supremax
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Secret orders, requests for recusal bog down Colorado’s death penalty prosecution
Colorado’s only criminal case in which federal prosecutors are actively pursuing the death penalty has taken unusual turns in recent weeks, with defense attorneys continuing to challenge the judge’s ability to hear the case and the judge issuing orders not available for public viewing. Ishmael Petty stands accused of killing a fellow inmate at the…
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Federal judge says 8 years in solitary confinement not grounds to reduce man’s sentence
A federal judge concluded earlier this month that a man’s eight years allegedly spent in solitary confinement did not justify granting his request for a sentence reduction. However, U.S. District Court Senior Judge William J. Martínez signaled his willingness to re-evaluate Randy Platt’s request if Platt details why his experience in prolonged isolation amounts to…
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Federal judge allows inmate to challenge prison’s confiscation of allegedly dangerous book
A federal judge has permitted an incarcerated man to challenge prison officials’ decision to withhold a book that allegedly depicted or encouraged disruption. Rodney C. Hamrick is incarcerated at the Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, also known as “supermax” or “ADX.” In 2022, the warden rejected two books Hamrick received, both of which were written…