Supreme Court orders client Michael O'Laughlin released on bail
09.04.09
After nearly 9 years, Michael
O'Laughlin was release on bail last week. Attorney General of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts had filed any emergency motion with
the US Supreme Court to keep Michael in prison. Associate Justice
Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court denied the Attorney General's
motion and ordered Michael to be released with bail. Justice Breyer
wrote "Respondent’s liberty interest in release is
particularly substantial given that it is not reasonably likely
that this Court would grant a petition for certiorari filed by the
Commonwealth."
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals had overturned a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision earlier this summer, holding that the evidence presented could not permit any rational jury to conclude that O'Laughlin was the assailant beyond a reasonable doubt.
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals had overturned a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision earlier this summer, holding that the evidence presented could not permit any rational jury to conclude that O'Laughlin was the assailant beyond a reasonable doubt.