O’Dell v. Thompson, Warden, Et Al.

Sup. Ct. Va. Certiorari denied.

Opinion of

Justice Blackmun, with whom Justice Stevens and Justice O’Connor join,

respecting the denial of the petition for writ of certiorari.

This is a capital case. Since the present Term began on October 7, 1991, the Court has considered 102 capital petitions, each seeking review of a decision of a State’s highest court. Even if practical considerations did not preclude review on the merits of all such petitions, another consideration often argues against granting certiorari: In many of these cases, a federal habeas proceeding is necessary to develop further…