Georgia Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson has re-introduced a bill aimed at providing death row inmates with the opportunity to introduce newly discovered evidence in their appeals. The bill, known as H.R. 9868 or the Effective Death Penalty Act, seeks to amend a provision in the U.S. Code governing habeas corpus petitions filed by state prisoners.
Johnson emphasized the importance of allowing inmates to present compelling new evidence of innocence, stating that the current system is both inhumane and unconstitutional. Under existing law, federal courts are restricted from granting habeas corpus petitions until all state court remedies have been exhausted, a requirement established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1999 to ensure state courts have the opportunity to address federal constitutional claims.
