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Death Sentences Overturned A federal appeals court in San Francisco throws out the death sentences of about 100 inmates in three Western states, extending a 2002 Supreme Court decision that found only juries -- not judges -- can impose the death penalty. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the ruling should apply retroactively to inmates sitting on death row. Hear NPR's Richard Gonzales.

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Court Overturns More Than 100 Death Sentences

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Death Sentences Overturned

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A federal appeals court in San Francisco throws out the death sentences of about 100 inmates in three Western states, extending a 2002 Supreme Court decision that found only juries — not judges — can impose the death penalty. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the ruling should apply retroactively to inmates sitting on death row. Hear NPR's Richard Gonzales.