Oscar Doster was found guilty earlier this year of capital murder in the course of a robbery in Alabama. Doster claimed that his co-defendant actually committed the murder. The jury unanimously recommended that Doster be sentenced to life without parole. In Alabama, unlike most other death penalty states, the judge is allowed to override a jury’s recommendation for life. Typically in other states, even one juror’s vote for a life sentence will prevent the court from imposing a death sentence. Judge Ashley McKathan rejected the recommendation of all 12 jurors that Doster’s life be spared.
(Andalusia Star News, Nov. 22, 2006).
See Arbitrariness and Sentencing.
See also DPIC’s report, Blind Justice.
Citation Guide
- Death Penalty Information Center (2025, March 14). Unanimous Jury Votes for Life Sentence, but Alabama Judge Imposes Death. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/unanimous-jury-votes-for-life-sentence-but-alabama-judge-imposes-death
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Unanimous Jury Votes for Life Sentence, but Alabama Judge Imposes Death.” Last modified March 14, 2025. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/unanimous-jury-votes-for-life-sentence-but-alabama-judge-imposes-death.
- Death Penalty Information Center. “Unanimous Jury Votes for Life Sentence, but Alabama Judge Imposes Death.” Death Penalty Information Center, 14 Mar. 2025, https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/unanimous-jury-votes-for-life-sentence-but-alabama-judge-imposes-death. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.
