Today in Supreme Court History: February 27

Washington v. Harper, 494 U.S. 210 (decided February 27, 1990): mentally ill prisoner could be treated with psychotropic drugs against his will; finding that he was danger to himself and others by panel of correctional officials and medical professionals comported with due process

Madison v. Alabama, 586 U.S. — (decided February 27, 2019): Eighth Amendment prohibits executing prisoner who no longer knows why he is being executed; here, Court remands for finding as to whether post-conviction mental condition (caused by series of strokes) consisted of specific delusions or just overall dementia (hearing was never conducted due to Madison’s ill health; he died on Death Row a year later, age 69)

Patchak v. Zinke, 583 U.S. 244 (decided February 27, 2018): Congress did not violate separation of powers by stripping federal courts of jurisdiction to hear claims as to specific land given by Interior Department to Michigan tribe for casino use (the fact that Native Americans survive by fostering gambling always depresses me, even if they think they’re putting one over on the White Man)

Raygor v. Regents of University of Minnesota, 534 U.S. 533 (decided February 27, 2002): pendency of federal suit (dismissed on Eleventh Amendment grounds) does not toll statute of limitations for state suit (this was an age discrimination suit against a state university)

Semtek Int’l Inc. v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 531 U.S. 497 (decided February 27, 2001): dismissal of diversity suit in California based on California statute of limitations did not bar subsequent suit brought in Maryland state court subject to Maryland’s longer statute (suit was for “inducement of breach of contract and various business torts”)