19920421

Even if the California Supreme Court affirms the death sentence, the inmate can initiate appeals on separate constitutional issues. Called Writs of Habeas Corpus, these appeals may be heard in both state and federal courts and can be used to introduce new information or evidence not presented at trial.

The death penalty was reinstated in 1978, but executions did not resume in California until April 21, 1992, when Robert Alton Harris was put to death in the San Quentin gas chamber.