Journal file photo
Jason Pleau
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The U.S. Justice Department is urging the nation's highest court not to get involved in the custody battle over accused killer Jason Wayne Pleau, who is currently in federal custody and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Governor Chafee is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review and overturn an appeals court ruling that the state must surrender Pleau to federal custody in connection with the 2010 robbery and shooting death of gas station manager David D. Main in Woonsocket. Chafee had refused to relinquish Pleau from state prison, citing the state's longstanding rejection of the death penalty. Pleau's federal trial is now scheduled for 2013.
Chafee's petition for writ of certiorari is supported by the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and several criminal defense organizations as well as a group dedicated to preserving states' rights.
The US Supreme Court asked the Justice Department to weigh in.