A dozen GVRs based on Ramos (with Justice Alito always commenting along the way, and Justice Thomas dissenting in a few)

Of criminal justice interest on this order list released by the Supreme Court this morning are a series of orders sending cases back to lower courts for reconsideration in light of the Court's unanimous juries ruling last week in Ramos v. Louisiana (basics here).  I count 12 total cases being remained, nearly all from Louisiana and one from Oregon.  Here is how the first of these orders reads:

The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted.  The judgment is vacated, and the case is remanded to the Court of Appeal of Louisiana, First Circuit for further consideration in light of Ramos v. Louisiana, 590 U. S. ___ (2020).  Justice Alito, concurring in the decision to grant, vacate, and remand: In this and in all other cases in which the Court grants, vacates, and remands in light of Ramos v. Louisiana, I concur in the judgment on the understanding that the Court is not deciding or expressing a view on whether the question was properly raised below but is instead leaving that question to be decided on remand.  Justice Thomas would deny the petition for a writ of certiorari.

Notably, this comment by Justice Alito appears with every remand order, but Justice Thomas indicates he would deny the petition in only five of the twelve cases.  (I would guess that the five cases that Justice Thomas would deny are in a distinct procedural posture from the other seven.)

Prior related posts:

• In lengthy split opinion (with interesting splits), Supreme Court holds Sixth Amendment applies to states to require unanimous verdict to convict of serious offense
• A reminder of why "acquitted conduct" sentencing enhancements should be seen as a constitutional abomination

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