COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 9 -- The South Carolina Judicial Department's Supreme Court issued the text of the following opinions: JUSTICE BEATTY: In this post-conviction relief (PCR) case, Angle Joe Perrie Vazquez (Petitioner) petitioned this Court for a writ of certiorari to review the PCR judge's denial of his request for relief from his convictions and capital sentence. We granted the writ of certiorari to review whether trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to comments made by the   more

JUNEAU, Alaska, Aug. 9 -- Gov. Sean Parnell issued the following news release: Governor Sean Parnell announced his selection of Pamela Scott Washington for the Anchorage District Court. Currently a domestic violence prosecutor for the Municipality of Anchorage, Washington also serves with the Anchorage Youth Court, Crisis Pregnancy Center, NAACP, North to the Future Business and Professional Women, and as adjunct faculty at University of Alaska Anchorage. She earned a bachelor's degree in   more

NEW YORK, Aug. 9 -- The U.S. Mission to the United Nations issued the following statement: Today, on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, the United States affirms its deep and abiding commitment to improving the lives of First Americans. The United States also recognizes the more than 370 million indigenous people who live in some 90 countries around the world. We honor their immeasurable contributions to society and call upon all nations to work together with indigenous c  more