18 June 2007 :

the State Supreme Court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence of Gary Black, 51.
Black wanted to represent himself in his trial in 1999 for the Oct. 2, 1998, killing of Jason Johnson after an argument. The Supreme Court on Nov. 23, 2004 (see) had ordered a new trial for Black on grounds that his trial lawyers failed to adequately question conflicting testimony on whether the slaying was premeditated.. The retrial was held a year ago (see May 5, 2006) and he was again convicted and sentenced to death with the judge again denying his request to represent himself. The Supreme Court says the nd trial court made a mistake by assuming an appointed lawyer could do better representing Black than Black could do representing himself. The ruling means Black will get a 2nd new trial.