Judge Wolf declares killer's death sentence unfair, grants new trial

October 29, 2011

Massachusetts: Chief Judge Mark Wolf, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, has ruled that a serial killer who was sentenced to death in 2004 is now entitled to a new trial. The case involved Gary Lee Sampson, who pleaded guilty to murdering three men (two in Massachusetts) in 2001. One of the jurors lied to the court in the jury selection process. She did not disclose information about some of her family problems, including episodes of domestic abuse from her former husband. Judge Wolf explained, "[Her] decision to lie rather than reveal these events demonstrates the tremendous emotional impact that they had on [her] at the time of the voir dire and calls her impartiality into question." Sampson was granted a new trial. Mike Rizzo, the father of one of the victims, stated, “I’m extremely disappointed and outraged by the fact that one man with an ego this size ... could overturn the work of so many people.” U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz responded on behalf of her office, "We remain committed to seeing that justice is done."