Rompilla v. Beard

Rompilla (plaintiff) was convicted of murder, and at sentencing the prosecution introduced his prior felony convictions as an aggravating factor supporting the death penalty. His trial lawyers interviewed him and his family for mitigating evidence but never reviewed the file from his earlier conviction, and the jury sentenced him to death. After new counsel raised an ineffective-assistance claim, the state courts found the original lawyers' investigation reasonable, but the federal district court disagreed and granted habeas relief; the Third Circuit reversed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.