Garza v. United States
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Case No. 12 243, Inter-Am. Comm'n H.R. Report No. 52/01 (April 4, 2001)
- Written by Liz Nakamura, JD
Facts
Juan Garza (plaintiff), a United States citizen, was convicted by a United States District Court of committing three homicides during a continuing criminal enterprise. At the sentencing hearing, the United States (defendant) introduced evidence of four unadjudicated homicides Garza had allegedly committed in Mexico. The four unadjudicated homicides were outside of United States jurisdiction. Garza was sentenced to death. After exhausting domestic appeals, Garza filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) under the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (American Declaration), arguing that the death sentence violated Garza’s (1) right to life; (2) right to a fair trial; and (3) right to due process of law. Garza specifically argued that the introduction of evidence regarding the four unadjudicated Mexican homicides violated due process. Garza did not challenge the homicide convictions, only the sentencing.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning ()
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