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Indonesia | 14 years on death row: Timeline of Mary Jane Veloso’s ordeal and fight for justice

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MANILA, Philippines — The case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has spanned over a decade and remains one of the most high-profile legal battles involving an overseas Filipino worker. Veloso was arrested on April 25, 2010, at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to death in October – just six months after her arrest. Indonesia’s Supreme Court upheld the penalty in May 2011.

Mississippi death penalty case before U.S. Supreme Court

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The U.S. Supreme Court will consider Jan. 10 whether to hear an appeal from a woman on Mississippi's death row who is seeking a new trial in the slaying of her husband based on claims that she was abused.

Court officials say a decision could be announced shortly after the court conference.

Michelle Byrom says she deserves a new trial because her original lawyer failed to present what could have been evidence of physical and sexual abuse by her husband.

Prosecutors argue the abuse issue was raised at her trial and rejected by the sentencing judge.

Byrom was convicted of capital murder in 2000. She was sentenced to death.

Court records show Edward Byrom Sr., an electrician, was shot June 4, 1999, at the couple's home in Iuka.

Source: Associated Press, December 18, 2013
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