Supreme Court Votes 6–3 to Uphold Murder Conviction Based on Another Defendant’s Confession

The Supreme Court upheld by 6–3 along ideological lines the conviction of Adam Samia, who was found guilty in a murder-for-hire scheme on the strength of another person’s written confession.
In the June 23 ruling, the six conservative justices found that Samia’s constitutional right to confront and cross-examine his co-defendant while he was being tried alongside the man was not violated. The co-defendant filed a written confession with the trial court, which was edited so Samia’s name didn’t appear in it.
Because prosecutors took steps to protect Samia’s rights, the U.S. Constitution was not violated.
The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution states, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right … to be confronted with the witnesses against him.”…