MATA, RAYMOND JR.

DOB: February 7, 1973
Race: Hispanic
Gender: Male

Crime and Trial

County of conviction: Keith (on change of venue from Scottsbluff County)
Number of counts: 1
Race of victim: Hispanic
Gender of victim: Male
Date of crime: On or about March 15, 1999
Date of sentencing: June 1, 2000

Trial Counsel:

Jeffery Pickens
Jerry Soucie

Legal status

Current proceedings:

• Supreme Court of Nebraska will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of the execution by electrocution in
  State v. Mata, No. S-05-1268.
   
• Resentencing pending before trial court, following sentencing relief on direct appeal under Ring v. Arizona.

Last judicial decision:

• Conviction affirmed, sentence reversed on direct appeal by State v. Mata, 668 N.W.2d 448 (Neb. 2003), cert denied by Mata v. Nebraska, 125 S.Ct. 1088 (U.S. Neb. Jan 24, 2005).

Current counsel:

James R. Mowbray
Jerry Soucie
Jeffery Pickens
Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy
P.O. Box 98932
140 N. 8th St., Suite 270
Lincoln, NE 68509-8932
402-471-7774 / 402-471-8086

Email: advocate@ncpa.state.ne.us

Reported Opinions:

• Conviction affirmed, sentence reversed on direct appeal by State v. Mata, 668 N.W.2d 448 (Neb. 2003), cert denied by Mata v. Nebraska, 125 S.Ct. 1088 (U.S. Neb. Jan 24, 2005).

Significant legal issues:

• voluntariness of statements to the police, given without Miranda warnings and after Mata was handcuffed
   
• double jeopardy claim stemming from dual submission to jury on first degree murder and felony murder (trial court entered conviction and sentence on first degree murder only, even though jury convicted on both)
   
• constitutionality of the electric chair
   
• retroactive application of Nebraska's post-Ring sentencing statute, enacted in 1993

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