Duane Edward Buck, Petitioner v. Rick Thaler

Summary

Justice Sotomayor, joined by Justice Kagan, dissents from the Court’s denial of certiorari, arguing that the death‑sentence case of Duane Buck raises serious constitutional concerns about racial considerations and a record tainted by the State’s misleading statements, and that the petitioner satisfied the standard for a certificate of appealability. She would grant review and remand for further consideration of the habeas claims.