Mr. Riechmann was condemned for the fatal shooting of his companion, Kersten Kischnick, when the two German tourists were visiting South Florida in October 1987. A jury voted 9-3 to recommend a death sentence and he was condemned. The conviction was upheld on direct appeal and in the first postconviction appeal but the trial judge ordered a new sentencing hearing. The Supreme Court upheld that ruling. In a parallel development, Mr. Riechmann filed another appeal in trial court challenging his conviction on new grounds. It was rejected and he now appeals that ruling to this Court. The Federal Republic of Germany has filed an amicus brief supporting Mr. Riechmann and arguing that state officials violated international protocol in their investigations in Germany.