The Boston Globe   Appeals court backs new sentencing for serial
killer Gary Lee Sampson  Gary Sampson looked on during his
arraignment in Brockton District Court in August 2001.
Associated Press / File 2001   A federal appeals court has ruled
that serial killer Gary Lee Sampson’s death sentence must be
vacated and a new hearing held to determine the penalty for his
crimes.  Upholding a ruling by US District Judge Mark L. Wolf,
the court said “we conclude — as did the district court — that
the death sentence must be vacated and a new penalty-phase
hearing undertaken.”  The appeals court said Sampson deserved a
new hearing because of juror dishonesty. Sampson claimed that a
juror had been dishonest during the voir dire before the
sentencing portion of the trial, in which a jury decided Sampson
deserved the death penalty. In the voir dire process, jurors are
questioned to determine whether they are suitable to sit on the
case.  “This case is a stark reminder of the consequences of
juror dishonesty,” a three-ju