June 24 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court, in a decision that leaves intact the death sentences of 110 inmates, said a 2002 ruling that expanded the constitutional right to a jury trial doesn't apply to pending federal appeals.

The court ruled 5-4 in an Arizona case that death-row inmates who were pursuing federal appeals can't benefit from the decision that juries, not judges, must make factual findings needed to impose death. The Arizona inmate's lawyer has said 86 prisoners in Arizona, 15 in Idaho, five in Nebraska and four in Montana would be affected by today's case.

To contact the reporter on this story: Laurie Asseo in Washington at lasseo1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: June 24, 2004 10:35 EDT