Courts & Legal

Sanders v. The State - Appeal of Murder Convictions

The Supreme Court of Georgia decided Sanders v. The State on March 3, 2026. Appellant Joshua Sanders appealed his convictions for malice murder and related offenses. The court affirmed the trial court's denial of the motion for a new trial, finding the appellant's claims procedurally barred.

Mitchell v. The State - Murder and Knife Possession Conviction Appeal

The Supreme Court of Georgia decided Mitchell v. The State on March 3, 2026. The court affirmed the conviction of Johnson Bell Mitchell for malice murder and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. The appeal addressed the trial court's refusal to consider a motion for immunity and an objection to a prosecutor's statement.

Senior v. The State - Appeal of Malice Murder Conviction

Oscar Senior is appealing his 2013 malice murder conviction from a 2012 shooting. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, finding that any deficient performance by his trial counsel in failing to impeach witnesses with prior felony convictions did not prejudice Senior. The appeal was granted out-of-time due to ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to file a timely notice of appeal.

Hamilton v. State - Appeal of Felony Murder Convictions

The Supreme Court of Georgia decided the case of Hamilton v. The State, concerning appeals of felony murder convictions stemming from a fatal shooting. The court affirmed the trial court's decisions regarding mistrial motions and evidence admission, upholding the convictions.

State v. Lee - Murder Case Statements Admitted

The Supreme Court of Georgia reviewed a trial court's decision to suppress incriminating statements made by a defendant, Michael Donnell Lee, charged with murder. The appellate court affirmed the suppression of statements under Miranda and Edwards but reversed the suppression under due process principles.

US v. Daron Wright - Affirmation of Supervised Release Revocation

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's decision to revoke Daron Wright's supervised release, imposing a 10-month prison term and an 18-month supervised release term. The court found no meritorious grounds for appeal regarding the reasonableness of the sentence or ineffective assistance of counsel.

Beckford v. Elevance Health, Inc. - Employment Discrimination Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Elevance Health, Inc. The court found that the district court erred in its assessment of the prima facie case for employment discrimination, potentially shifting the burden of proof prematurely. The case involves claims of race discrimination under Title VII and other statutes.

Hoffman v. Inova Health Care Services - Employment Discrimination

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of employment discrimination claims filed by two CRNAs against Inova Health Care Services and NAPA. The court found that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim and that one plaintiff did not exhaust administrative remedies.

Fourth Circuit Affirms Ruling in Hoffman v. INOVA Health Care

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of claims brought by two CRNAs against Inova Health Care Services and North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA). The plaintiffs alleged discrimination and joint employer status after their clinical privileges were suspended and employment terminated due to refusal of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Stephanie Reddin v. Kristi Noem - Employment Discrimination Appeal

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a former Federal Air Marshal's discrimination lawsuit against the TSA. The court found the plaintiff failed to adequately plead she was a qualified individual capable of performing essential job functions, and that the TSA had provided reasonable accommodations.