United States First Circuit

The imposition of the death penalty on federal defendants in Puerto Rico does not violate the substantive due process rights of the United States citizens who reside in Puerto Rico because Congress has the power to apply the federal criminal laws, and their penalties, to Puerto Rico.

Appellate Information

• Decided 06/05/2001
• Published 06/06/2001

Judges

• LYNCH, Circuit Judge., Before LYNCH, Circuit Judge, COFFIN, Senior Circuit Judge, and SCHWARZER, Senior District Judge.

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Robert J. Erickson,Department of Justice, with whom Guillermo Gil, United States Attorney, was on brief, for appellant., Timothy R. Macdonald, with whom Tim Atkeson and Arnold & Porter were on brief, for Amici Curiae Comisión De Derechos Civiles De Puerto Rico, Ciudadanos Contra La Pena De Muerte, and Colegio De Abogados De Puerto Rico.


• For Appellees:
  
• Steven M. Potolsky for appellee Joel Rivera-Alejandro., William D. Matthewman for appellee appellee Hector Oscar Acosta-Martinez.