News

New Hampshire Supreme Court dismisses petition from state’s only death row inmate

New Hampshire Supreme Court dismisses petition from state’s only death row inmate

FILE - In this photo taken Monday Oct. 20, 2008 of Michael Addison seen at the start of his trial in Manchester, N.H. Photo: Associated Press/AP Photo/Jim Cole, File


MANCHESTER, N.H.- The New Hampshire Supreme Court has dismissed a petition to review the case of Michael Addison, the state’s only death row inmate, as Addison and his lawyer claim his punishment goes against the state’s contemporary values.

According to the court decision Justice Melissa Countway said that the statute abolishing the death penalty specifies that it only applies to sentences handed down on or after the date that the statute became active. And that the court would only be able to determine whether Addison is entitled to a comparative proportionality review of his death sentence, which the court had already said was fair.

Following this news Addision’s lawyers said they were disappointed by the high court’s decision.

Addison’s efforts for a new sentence comes after New Hampshire abolished the death penalty in 2019 as he remains New Hampshire’s only death row inamte after being convicted of shooting and killing Manchester Police officer Michael Briggs back in 2006.

Recent Headlines

13 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Make no bones about it, the giant skeleton has become an American Halloween fixture

It reared its bony head in 2020, during that first, chaotic pandemic year that was rife with grief and fear but also toilet paper hoarding and questionable lockdown-inspired purchases. Behold Skelly, the 12-foot, 90-pound skeleton with glowing LCD eyeballs, on sale for $299 from Home Depot, just in time for Halloween — at least, if you can get your hands on one.

13 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ fame, dies at 86

Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who added Shakespearean gravitas to the "Star Trek" and "X-Men" franchises, has died. He was 86. Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles, following "a brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia, spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak said.

21 hours ago in Entertainment

Hometown of ‘Addams Family’ creator becomes ghoulish Halloween destination

Before there was "The Addams Family," there was Westfield. Cartoonist Charles Addams, who created the eccentric, fictional family, drew inspiration for his signature macabre style from the elegant Victorian homes, historic cemetery and other landmarks of his New Jersey hometown.

21 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Brewers beat the Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to win the first World Series title in franchise history

The small-ball Milwaukee Brewers playing in the smallest market in the majors are World Series champions for the first time. Hey, Milwaukee: grab a brat, raise a beer and prepare for that parade.

21 hours ago in Entertainment

South Carolina police close investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death after coroner’s ruling

Police in South Carolina have closed their investigation into the overdose death of actor Hayden Panettiere following a coroner's finding that it was accidental. The decision was based on the medical examiner's determination as well as the findings of the investigation, Greenville police said Wednesday in a statement.