[In Maryland]

"The crimes were vile and inhuman. It will be torture for the families of the victims to do it all over.

I agree with you. However, any accused - no matter how vile the crimes - is entitled to a fair trial, and I don't see how they could have gotten a fair trial under a judge who was drugged throughout the proceedings. My heart goes out to the families - but the blame lies squarely on the original trial judge who created the need for this deplorable situation.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

It sounds like a bad TV western where the old corrupt judge is drun on the bench. But if the argument is that the guy didn't serve as the “13th juror” and review the sentences, it seems the only thing that would need be repeated is the sentencing phase of the proceedings. The twelve jurors who weighed the evidence and pronounced guilt are not being questioned.