Metrish v. Lancaster
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-547 | 6th Cir. |
Apr 24, 2013 Tr.Aud. |
May 20, 2013 | 9-0 | Ginsburg | OT 2012 |
Holding: Because the Michigan Court of Appeals did not unreasonably apply clearly established federal law when it retroactively applied a decision of the Michigan Supreme Court rejecting the diminished-capacity defense to petitioner, who was charged with a murder that occurred several years before the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision, petitioner was not entitled to habeas relief.
Judgment: Reversed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Ginsburg on May 20, 2013.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion recap: Saying little on retroactivity
- Argument recap: Who makes law?
- Argument preview: Taking away a defense to crime
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Oct 31 2012 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 3, 2012) |
| Nov 27 2012 | Order extending time to file response to petition to and including January 2, 2013. |
| Dec 3 2012 | Brief amici curiae of Indiana, et al. filed. |
| Dec 28 2012 | Brief of respondent Burt Lancaster in opposition filed. (Distributed) |
| Jan 2 2013 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 18, 2013. |
| Jan 18 2013 | Petition GRANTED. |
| Feb 11 2013 | SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, April 24, 2013 |
| Feb 22 2013 | Record from U.S.C.A. for 6th Circuit is electronic. |
| Mar 1 2013 | Brief amicus curiae of Wayne County, Michigan filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 4 2013 | Joint appendix filed. (Distributed) (Statement of costs filed) |
| Mar 4 2013 | Brief of petitioner Linda Metrish, Warden filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 8 2013 | CIRULATED |
| Mar 11 2013 | Brief amici curiae of Indiana, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 20 2013 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner. |
| Apr 3 2013 | Brief of respondent Burt Lancaster filed. (Distributed). |
| Apr 5 2013 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondent. |
| Apr 10 2013 | Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 17 2013 | Reply of petitioner Linda Metrish, Warden filed. (Distributed) |
| Apr 24 2013 | Argued. For petitioner: John J. Bursch, Michigan Solicitor General, Lansing, Mich. For respondent: Kenneth M. Mogill, Lake Orion, Mich. |
| May 20 2013 | Judgment REVERSED. Ginsburg, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. |





