Powell v. Delaware

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Justia Opinion Summary

Defendant Derrick Powell appealed the superior court's denial of his motion for postconviction relief. During the pendency of that appeal, Powell moved to vacated his death sentence based on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in "Hurst v. Florida," and the Delaware Supreme Court's interpretation of that decision in "Rauf v. Delaware." The only issue addressed in this decision was Powell's motion to vacate this death sentence. The question presented by Powell's motion was whether the holding in "Rauf" applied to a death sentence was already final when "Rauf" was decided. The Delaware Supreme Court concluded that the decision of "Rauf" applied retroactively to Powell's case, and that his death sentence should have been vacated, and Powell sentenced to life imprisonment.

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