Today in Supreme Court History: October 29

Oct 28, 2025

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Shell v. Mississippi, 498 U.S. 1 (decided October 29, 1990): capital murder conviction reversed because definition of “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel” given to jury was too vague

Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education, 396 U.S. 19 (decided October 29, 1969): Court attempts to end “all deliberate speed” stalling by declaring that as of now any segregated school system is per se illegal

New York v. Eno, 155 U.S. 89 (decided October 29, 1894): federal courts can’t spring someone from state jail until state appeals process on federal question has run its course

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Today in Supreme Court History: October 16

Charlotte Harbor & N. Ry. Co. v. Welles, 260 U.S. 8 (decided October 16, 1922): Florida Legislature can ratify county’s ultra vires (this means exceeding authority) creation of new bridge district whi

Today in Supreme Court History: October 15

Civil Rights Cases, 109 U.S. 3 (decided October 15, 1883): strikes down federal statute prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations; Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments apply only to g

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