FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY CASE -- MISSOURI
NORRIS HOLDER
General Information
DOB: Dec. 16, 1975
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Crime and Trial
District of conviction: Eastern District of Missouri
Trial judge: E. Richard Webber
Number of counts: 1
Race of victim: White
Gender of victim: Male
Date of crime: March 17, 1997
Date of sentencing: July 23, 1998
Trial Counsel: Charles M. Shaw and Jennifer Herndon
Legal status
Current proceedings:
- Motion to vacate/correct sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Case No.4:03-cv-00923-ERW)
Last judicial decision:
- Affirmance of conviction and sentence on direct
appeal. United States v. Allen, 247 F.3d 741 (8th Cir. 2001).
Current counsel:
Christopher E. McGraugh
Leritz and Plunkert
One City Centre, Suite 2001
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-231-9600
Fax: 314-231-9480
Email: cmcgraugh@leritzlaw.com
Michael J. Gorla
720 Olive, Suite 1630
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-621-1617
Fax: 314-621-7448
Email: mjgorla@msn.com
Reported Opinions:
- Conviction and sentence affirmed by United States v. Allen, 247
F.3d 741 (8th Cir. 2001)
Significant legal issues:
- Counsel’s concession of guilt, despite viable defense that Mr. Holder did
not specifically deliberate upon the defendant’s death, as required to make
Mr. Holder death-eligible, and counsel’s failure to challenge the "pecuniary
gain" aggravating circumstance
Lead counsel’s sleeping through portions of the penalty phase defense,
then delivering the penalty-phase closing argument
Death sentence imposed despite possible absence of premeditated murder,
and instead on theory of felony murder for aiding and abetting a bank robbery
(Holder was not the triggerman)
- Trial and appellate counsel’s failure to assert Ring error based on
failure of indictment to allege statutory aggravating circumstances
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