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Bush Can't Force US Courts to Obey World Body: Justices

Ruling by international court not binding, nor was president's order for US to follow

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 25, 2008 4:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Supreme Court ruled today for states, and against President Bush in a quarrel over international law, finding that a foreign death-row inmate did not have a right to further review—though the world's top court said he did. Ernesto Medellin was not provided counsel from his native Mexico, violating the Vienna Convention; Texas balked at Bush’s attempt to enforce the body's ruling.

The justices found 6-3 that International Court judgments don’t bind US state courts—and that Bush doesn’t have authority to enforce foreign decisions, the Washington Post reports. The dissent by Justice Stephen Breyer worried the “nation may well break its word,” despite the president’s best intentions. Justice John Paul Stevens sided with the majority, but urged Texas to re-open the case voluntarily.

President Bush makes a statement at the State Department in Washington, Monday, March 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

This file photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows death row inmate Jose Ernesto Medellin. (AP Photo/Texas Department of Criiminal Justice, File)

Spectators line up outside the Supreme Court in Washington on March 18,2008. The Court ruled today that President Bush overstepped his authority in ordering US courts to obey World Court rulings. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

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Bush Can't Force US Courts to Obey World Body: Justices

Ruling by international court not binding, nor was president's order for US to follow

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death penalty • Texas • US Supreme Court • George W. Bush • International Court of Justice • Vienna Convention • Ernesto Medellin

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