October Term 2001 · Docket 00-6933
Can a death row inmate prove innocence after trial?
Remon Lee claims new witnesses prove his innocence. The state says he failed to follow court rules.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Vergeer stated Lee never had a chance to present witnesses.
She claimed these witnesses could establish his innocence.
Mr. Wilson argued compliance with Rule 24 does not require tracing through the record.
He stated Lee presented his claims all at once to the trial judge.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 39-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Remon Lee serves life without parole for first-degree murder. He claims witnesses can prove his innocence. The state says he did not follow court rules. The Court must decide if his claim fails.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 29, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 39-43
What each side wants
Lee wants the Court to accept his new witness claims.
The state wants the Court to reject his late claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
What each side says
Lee argues the witnesses prove his innocence.
The state argues Lee failed to follow court rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if Lee followed Rule 24.
Justice Kennedy asked why Lee provided no better showing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 39-43
Why it matters
This case defines how inmates prove innocence after trial. It sets the standard for late evidence claims. It affects how courts handle new witness testimony.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 39-43
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-27 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 27-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.