LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court leveled a stinging criticism at a recently retired judge in overturning the death sentence of a man convicted of beating a 68-year-old Las Vegas man and leaving him to die in 2009.
Justices chastised retired Judge Douglas Smith just a week after Smith stepped down after 23 years as a judge, including more than a decade on the Clark County District Court bench.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the April 19 ruling focused on the 2015 murder trial and death sentence of Will Sitton, but also listed 16 cases that were reversed on appeal due to errors by Smith.
Smith told the newspaper he had no comment about the ruling.
Sitton is 56. His attorney, Christopher Oram, says he's glad he's been granted a new trial.
