Kansas v. Cheever, No. 12-609; U.S. Supreme Court; opinion by Sotomayor, J.; decided December 11, 2013. On certiorari to the Supreme Court of Kansas.
Shortly after respondent Cheever was charged with capital murder, the Kansas Supreme Court found the state’s death penalty scheme unconstitutional. State prosecutors then dismissed their charges to allow federal authorities to prosecute him. When Cheever filed notice that he intended to introduce expert evidence that methamphetamine intoxication negated his ability to form specific intent, the federal district court ordered Cheever to submit to a psychiatric evaluation. The federal case was eventually dismissed without prejudice.
