http://www.scotusblog.com/movabletype/archives/2006/02/alitos_first_vo.html
what does one make of alito splitting from roberts, scalia, and thomas on his first decision, not lifting a stay of execution?
what is it about? why is alito siding eith the liberal side of the court? its probably no big sign, but at least it is some good news.
New Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito split with the court's conservatives Wednesday night, refusing to let Missouri execute a death-row inmate contesting lethal injection.
Alito, handling his first case, sided with inmate Michael Taylor, who had won a stay from an appeals court earlier in the evening. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas supported lifting the stay, but Alito joined the remaining five members in turning down Missouri's last-minute request to allow a midnight execution.