FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE # 114

FROM: CLERK OF SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

The opinions handed down on the 1st day of November, 1996 , are as follows:

BY WATSON, J. :

94-KA- 0025 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. LAWSON EUGENE STRICKLAND (Parish of Vernon)

For the reasons assigned, the defendant's first degree murder conviction is affirmed. The death sentence is conditionally affirmed. However, a final determination of the appeal is pretermitted. The case is remanded to the district court for an evidentiary hearing to determine the claim of counsel's ineffective assistance during the penalty phase, in accordance with this opinion. Defendant's right to appeal from an adverse decision on the issue is reserved. FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION AFFIRMED; DEATH SENTENCE CONDITIONALLY AFFIRMED; REMANDED TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR EVIDENTIARY HEARING.

MARCUS, J. - not on panel. Rule IV, Part 2, Section 3.

CALOGERO, C.J. - concurs and assigns reasons.

LEMMON, J. - joins in the opinion and assigns additional reasons. [Ed. note: dated November 1, 1996, added November 14, 1996]

BLEICH, J. - concurs in affirming the conviction and would affirm the sentence unconditionally.
 

BY BLEICH, J. :

96-C - 0711 TAMMY BULLOCK v. LILLIE GRAHAM, T.L. JAMES & COMPANY, INC. AND HIGHLANDS INSURANCE COMPANY (Parish of St. Helena)

For the assigned reasons, the maximum amount plaintiff could recover is $20,000.00, the amount of her stipulation, which will be reduced accordingly by plaintiff's percentage of fault. The decision of the First Circuit Court of Appeals is affirmed.

LEMMON, J. - not on panel. Rule IV, Part 2, Section 3.

CALOGERO, C.J. - dissents and assigns reasons.

KIMBALL, J. - dissents.

JOHNSON, J. - dissents.