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GUEST: Majorie Cohn, Professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, author of Cowboy Republic: Six Ways the Bush Gang Has Defied the Law

The Supreme Court began its new term yesterday amid high profile cases surrounding the death penalty and Guantanamo. The high court has already rejected some 2,000 appeals, including one by Guantanamo prisoner Salim Ahmed Hamdan. Nine justices returning to the bench will, however, hear arguments on whether or not the constitutional requirement of habeas corpus was violated by a law prohibiting Gitmo detainees from legally challenging their confinement in civilian courts. Another anticipated high profile case is that of whether or not lethal injections constitute a form of cruel and unusual punishment. With President Bush’s appointment of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the bench – both of whom replaced Reagan appointees, including Sandra Day O’connor – these cases may further establish the conservative trend set at the end of the high court’s last term.

Majorie Cohn will be signing copies of her new book
Thursday, October 4th, 7:30 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
3rd St Promenade, Santa Monica