FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
November 6, 2017
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL WELCOMES U.S.
SUPREME COURT DECISION CLEARING THE WAY FOR EXECUTION OF DEATH
ROW INMATE VERNON MADISON
(MONTGOMERY) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall welcomed a decision by the
U.S. Supreme Court clearing the way for the execution of Vernon Madison. Madison has been
on Alabama’s death row for 32 years for the 1985 murder of Mobile police officer Julius
Schulte.
“Today’s unanimous decision of the Supreme Court confirms the State’s argument that Vernon
Madison is competent to be executed for the murder he committed more than 30 years ago,” said
Attorney General Marshall. “The Supreme Court correctly overturned the federal appeals court
ruling blocking Madison’s execution on the grounds he did not remember the crime he
committed due to health reasons. Accordingly, the State will pursue a new execution date as
soon as possible.”
On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed with the State court’s decision that Madison was
competent to be executed. “The state court did not unreasonably apply Panetti and Ford when it
determined that Madison is competent to be executed because – not withstanding his memory
loss – he recognizes that he will be put to death as punishment for the murder he was found to
have committed,” the Justices wrote.
On April 18, 1985, Vernon Madison shot and killed Cpl. Julius Schulte of the Mobile Police
Department while the officer sat in his unmarked patrol car. Schulte was shot twice in the back
of the head at close range. Madison was subsequently found guilty of capital murder and has
been on death row since 1985.
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“This is but the latest example of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning an 11 Circuit Court
ruling blocking an Alabama execution,” added Attorney General Marshall. “Hopefully, the
Supreme Court’s wisdom will continue to prevail and allow Alabama executions to go forward.”
Attorney General Marshall commended Solicitor General Andrew Brasher and former Deputy
Solicitor General Brett Talley for their exemplary work in bringing this case to a successful
conclusion.
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