Dissenting Justices Say SCOTUS Left Brady Violation Injustice in Place

Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented as the Supreme Court declined to review James Skinner’s 1998 Louisiana murder case, arguing the denial preserves an injustice by upholding a Brady v. Maryland violation—prosecutors allegedly hid favorable evidence that helped Skinner’s co-defendant Wearry. Sotomayor warned Skinner could spend life in prison while Wearry walked free, and Jackson joined her in the dissent, though four votes are needed to grant review. This reflects ongoing criticism from Democratic appointees of the court’s handling of criminal-justice precedents.