- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — A federal judge has denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have halted the execution this evening of Navajo citizen Lezmond Mitchell.
Judge Royce C. Lambert of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied Mitchell's request, which came as part of a lawsuit filed yesterday against Attorney General William Barr and several other government officials.
Mitchell's lawsuit raised three constitutional claims, arguing that Barr and other defendants deprived the Navajo man of his due process rights and also violated his Eight Amendment protection against the arbitrary infliction of cruel and unusual punishment. Mitchell also claimed the defendants violated the Equal Protection Clause by creating "an arbitary system of clemency evaluation."
In his legal opinion, Lambert wrote that none of the claims was likely to succeed on their merits.
The DC court's denial came a day after the Supreme Court denied Mitchell's request for a stay of execution.
Mitchell was convicted two decades ago of crimes that stunned Indian Country, killing a 63-year old Navajo woman and her nine-year old grandaughter on the Navajo reservation. He was sentenced to death after being convicted of robbery, firearms violations, murder, kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death.
Barring a last-minute stay or pardon by the President, Mitchell will be put to death by lethal injection at 6 p.m. (EDT) this evening at the federal correctional facility in Terre Haute, Ind.
More Stories Like This
THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 230 Cheyenne & Arapaho Massacred at Sand CreekNative ‘water warriors’ took to canoes during recent Port of Tacoma protest. Here’s why
Rep. Grijalva to Hold Historic and Cultural Preservation Roundtable at Close of Native American Heritage Month
Native News Weekly (November 26, 2023): D.C. Briefs
Celebrating Native American Heritage Day
Together, we can educate, enlighten, and empower.
November is celebrated as “Native American Heritage Month.” At Native News Online, we amplify Native voices and share our relatives’ unique perspectives every day of the year. We believe every month should celebrate Native American heritage.If you appreciate our commitment to Native voices and our mission to tell stories that connect us to our roots and inspire understanding and respect, we hope you will consider making a donation this month to support our work. For those who commit to a recurring donation of $12 per month or more, or make a one-time donation of $150 or greater, we're excited to offer you a copy of our upcoming Indian Boarding School publication and access to our quarterly Founder’s Circle meetings and newsletter.
