Appeals Court Overturns Two Death Sentences

A state appeals court overturned two death sentences, saying one man was mentally retarded and another was convicted on insufficient evidence.

Willie Mack Modden is one of dozens of inmates who have claimed mental retardation after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that those inmates cannot be executed. His sentence was reduced to life in prison by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin.

The court also ruled that evidence did not support a jury’s finding that Kenneth Vodochodsky aided an ambush that killed three law officers. His case was sent back to trial court for consideration.