No. 25-5953
Christopher Matthew Henderson v. Alabama
IFP
Tags: adverse-inference capital-murder criminal-sentencing fifth-amendment prosecutorial-conduct right-to-silence
Key Terms:
FifthAmendment DueProcess Punishment
FifthAmendment DueProcess Punishment
Latest Conference:
2026-02-27
Question Presented (from Petition)
In the sentencing phase of a capital trial, where the defendant exercises his right to remain silent and to plead not guilty, does the Fifth Amendment prohibit the prosecution and the sentencing court from drawing adverse inferences about a defendant's lack of remorse or acceptance of responsibility from his silence?
Question Presented (AI Summary)
In the sentencing phase of a capital trial, where the defendant exercises his right to remain silent and to plead not guilty, does the Fifth Amendment prohibit the prosecution and the sentencing court from drawing adverse inferences about a defendant's lack of remorse or acceptance of responsibility from his silence?
Docket Entries
2026-02-12
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/27/2026.
2026-01-23
Brief of Alabama in opposition submitted.
2026-01-23
Brief of respondent Alabama in opposition filed.
2025-12-04
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is further extended to and including January 23, 2026.
2025-12-03
Motion of Alabama for an extension of time submitted.
2025-12-03
Motion to extend the time to file a response from December 24, 2025 to January 23, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2025-11-17
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including December 24, 2025.
2025-11-12
[othertext] of Alabama submitted.
2025-11-12
Motion of Alabama for an extension of time submitted.
2025-11-12
Motion to extend the time to file a response from November 24, 2025 to December 24, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.
2025-10-20
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due November 24, 2025)
2025-09-12
Application (25A290) granted by Justice Thomas extending the time to file until October 20, 2025.
2025-09-08
Application (25A290) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from September 18, 2025 to October 20, 2025, submitted to Justice Thomas.
Attorneys
Alabama
Jordan Shay Mauldin — Alabama Office of the Attorney General, Respondent
Jordan Shay Shelton — Alabama Office of the Attorney General, Respondent
Christopher Henderson
Alicia A. D'Addario — Petitioner