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Brumfield v. Cain

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
13-1433 5th Cir. Mar 30, 2015 Jun 18, 2015 5-4 Sotomayor OT 2014

Holding: Because the inmate’s evidence of intellectual disability satisfied the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(2), he was entitled to have his claim based on Atkins v. Virginia, in which the Court held that the Constitution prohibits the execution of the mentally disabled, considered on the merits in federal court.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Sotomayor on June 18, 2015. Justice Thomas filed a dissenting opinion in all but Part I-C, of which Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Scalia, and Justice Alito joined. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion, in which Chief Justice Roberts joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
May 29 2014Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 2, 2014)
Jul 2 2014Order extending time to file response to petition to and including July 9, 2014.
Jul 3 2014Brief of respondent Burl Cain, Warden in opposition filed.
Jul 22 2014Reply of petitioner Kevan Brumfield filed.
Jul 23 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 29, 2014.
Sep 30 2014Record Requested .
Oct 2 2014Record received from U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit. The record is electronic.
Oct 6 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 10, 2014.
Oct 6 2014Record received from the U.S.D.C. Middle District of Louisiana (5 boxes). The remaining record is electronic.
Oct 6 2014Record received from U.S.D.C. Middle District of Louisiana. (5 Boxes)
Oct 14 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 17, 2014.
Oct 27 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of October 31, 2014.
Nov 3 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 7, 2014.
Nov 10 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 14, 2014.
Nov 17 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 25, 2014.
Dec 1 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of December 5, 2014.
Dec 5 2014Petition GRANTED.
Jan 20 2015Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed.)
Jan 20 2015Brief of petitioner Kevan Brumfield filed.
Jan 27 2015Brief amici curiae of Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., et al. filed.
Feb 2 2015SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Monday, March 30, 2015
Feb 12 2015CIRCULATED
Feb 19 2015Brief of respondent Burl Cain, Warden filed. (Distributed)
Mar 17 2015Reply of petitioner Kevan Brumfield filed. (Distributed)
Mar 30 2015Argued. For petitioner: Michael B. DeSanctis, Washington, D. C. For respondent: Premila Burns, Baton Rouge, La.
Jun 18 2015Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Thomas, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in all but Part I-C of which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia and Alito, JJ., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Roberts, C. J., joined.
Jul 20 2015JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Jul 21 2015Records from U.S.D.C. Middle Dist. of Louisiana has been returned.