Texas A&M University School of Law Professor Mary Margaret “Meg” Penrose was court appointed to represent the defendant in a capital murder case, Licho Escamilla v. William Stephens, Director. She argued before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Dec. 2.
The panel of judges included Judge James L. Dennis, Judge Jerry Edwin Smith and Judge Catharina Haynes. They heard one hour of oral argument on whether Escamilla was denied his constitutional right (under the Sixth Amendment) to the effective assistance of counsel during the punishment phase of his capital trial.
Should his appeal succeed, he would receive a new sentencing hearing but no court could reconsider the issue of guilt. For more on the case, view the court document.
About Professor Penrose
Professor Mary Margaret “Meg” Penrose, a member of the law school faculty since 2009 and a member of the American Law Institute, teaches Criminal Procedure, International Human Rights, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law. Professor Penrose continues to practice in federal court with an emphasis on federal habeas corpus representation of Texas Death Row inmates and Title VII and Title IX litigation challenging gender bias and discrimination in the workplace. Prior to teaching, Professor Penrose served as Senior Law Clerk and pro se Staff Attorney at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. See her research and recent articles on SSRN.