Supreme Court Revives Brenda Andrew's Death Row Challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court has reopened the case of Brenda Andrew, the only woman on death row in Oklahoma, following concerns that her trial was tainted by 'sexist stereotyping.' The Court overturned a federal appeals court ruling that upheld Andrew's conviction for the 2001 murder of her estranged husband, arguing that the prosecution's use of derogatory sexual evidence, including terms like 'slut puppy' and the display of her thong, was unduly prejudicial. Andrew's defense contends that this evidence was irrelevant and violated her due process rights, while prosecutors maintain it was necessary to establish motive. The case will now return to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for further examination of the fairness of her original trial. Dissenting justices argued that the overwhelming evidence against Andrew warranted upholding her conviction. This decision reflects ongoing debates about the influence of gender stereotypes in the criminal justice system.