Dec. 17, 1998

Lost 1982 Letter Results in Overturned Death Sentence

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge has overturned a death sentence and double murder conviction because a letter stating a key informant in the case was unreliable was never given to the defense. Ironically, the critical 1982 letter, which originated in an unrelated federal action, was authored by now-U.S. Attorney Robert Mueller III.