The World Court faulted the United States on Wednesday for violating international rights of two German-born brothers executed in 1999 and ordered Washington to reconsider convictions in any similar cases. The court also rebuked US officials for disobeying an order in March 1999 by the United Nations body to delay the execution by the state of Arizona of one of the brothers. Walter and Karl LaGrand had been found guilty of killing a bank manager in a bungled 1982 robbery.
Germany filed a case with the International Court of Justice in 1999, arguing US officials violated the Vienna Convention by not informing its consular officials of the arrest and murder convictions of the LaGrands.
Walter was gassed to death the day after the court, the highest UN legal body, issued its emergency order. Karl had been put to death before the case was filed. Bureau Report