Decided
Wood v. Allen
Holding
The Court upheld a death sentence, rejecting the defendant's claim that his defense attorney had failed to properly investigate or introduce evidence that the defendant's IQ being well below average.
Judgment
Affirmed, 7-2, in an opinion by Sonia Sotomayor on Jan 20, 2010. Justices Stevens filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Justice Kennedy.
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner Holly Wood
- Brief for Respondent Richard Allen, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections
- Reply Brief for Petitioner Holly Wood
- Joint Appendix Volume I
- Joint Appendix Volume II
Amicus Briefs
- Brief for the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Alabama in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Petitioner
- Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Indiana and 18 Other States in Support of Respondent
[##CERT-STAGE##]
Jan 21, 2009Application (08A642) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from February 10, 2009 to March 12, 2009, submitted to Justice Thomas.
Jan 28, 2009Application (08A642) granted by Justice Thomas extending the time to file until March 12, 2009.
Mar 12, 2009Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due April 13, 2009)
Apr 13, 2009Brief of respondents Richard F. Allen, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections, et al. in opposition filed.
Apr 23, 2009Reply of petitioner Holly Wood filed.
Apr 29, 2009DISTRIBUTED for Conference of May 14, 2009.
May 18, 2009Motion to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED. The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted limited to Questions 1 and 2 presented by the petition.
May 27, 2009The time within which to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including August 3, 2009.
May 27, 2009The time within which to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 18, 2009.
Jul 29, 2009Consent to the filing of amicus briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner.
Jul 29, 2009Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs in support of either party or neither party received from counsel for the respondents.
Aug 3, 2009Joint appendix filed (two volumes). Statement of costs received.
Aug 3, 2009Brief of petitioner Holly Wood filed.
Aug 6, 2009Brief amici curiae of American Civil Liberties Union, et al. filed.
Aug 10, 2009Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed.
Aug 17, 2009SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Aug 17, 2009CIRCULATED.
Sep 18, 2009Brief of respondents Richard F. Allen, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Sep 25, 2009Brief amici curiae of Indiana and 18 additional states filed. (Distributed)
Sep 25, 2009Brief amicus curiae of Criminal Justice Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed)
Oct 8, 2009Record received from U.S.D.C. for the Middle District of Alabama. ( U.S.C.A. for the 11th Circuit record included). (4 boxes)
Oct 19, 2009Reply of petitioner Holly Wood filed. (Distributed)
Nov 4, 2009Argued. For petitioner: Kerry A. Scanlon, Washington, D.C. For respondents: Corey L. Maze, Solicitor General, Montgomery, Ala.
Nov 6, 2009Letter, dated November 6, 2009, received from counsel for the petitioner. (Distributed).
Jan 20, 2010Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, and Alito, JJ., joined. Stevens, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Kennedy, J., joined.
Feb 16, 2010Petition for Rehearing filed.
Feb 24, 2010DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 19, 2010.
Mar 22, 2010Rehearing DENIED.
Mar 22, 2010JUDGMENT ISSUED.
May 27, 2010Records returned (4-boxes, including 11th Circuit record) to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.
Recommended Citation: Wood v. Allen, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/wood-v-allen/