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| | Law.com - Judge's Conduct Overturns Death Sentence |
 | | Sturm, a former high school cheerleader who was well-liked by friends, neighbors and teachers, was convicted in May 1992 of the 1990 murders of Darrell Esgar, Chad Chadwick and Russell Williams -- friends and former co-workers at the Super Shops automotive store in Tustin. |
 | | At trial, Sturm, a cocaine addict, conceded that he killed the men, but claimed he was only guilty of first-degree felony murder, not premeditation. |
 | | Although Sturm's crime was "undeniably heinous," the high court held, it was reasonably probable that he would have gotten life without parole "had the trial judge exhibited the patience, dignity and courtesy that is expected of all judges." |
| www.law.com /jsp/article.jsp?id=1141725930735 (888 words) |
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