Courts & Legal

State v. Benavidez - New Mexico Supreme Court Opinion

The New Mexico Supreme Court has issued an opinion in State v. Benavidez, concerning a defendant convicted of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The appeal raises issues regarding parole term legality, sufficiency of evidence for intent, jury instructions on provocation, prosecutorial misconduct, and double jeopardy.

State v. Valencia - New Mexico Supreme Court Opinion

The New Mexico Supreme Court has granted a motion for rehearing in State v. Valencia, withdrawing its prior opinion filed July 14, 2025. The court will issue a substituted opinion addressing the defendant's challenges to his convictions for murder and attempted murder, including claims related to jury instructions on diminished capacity and double jeopardy.

Johnson v. State - Kansas Appeals Court Opinion

The Kansas Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal filed by Rheuben Johnson. The court found it lacked appellate jurisdiction because Johnson failed to file a timely notice of appeal after his K.S.A. 60-1507 motion was summarily denied by the district court.

State v. Hekekia-Dixon - Criminal Appeal

The Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision in State v. Hekekia-Dixon, ruling that the defendant was not entitled to jail credit for time served in an unrelated case. The court found that the precedent set in State v. Ervin did not apply to the specific facts of this case.

State v. McLeroy - Probation Revocation Appeal

The Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to revoke Shywanna N. McLeroy's probation and impose her prison sentences. McLeroy had admitted to violating probation conditions twice, leading to the revocation and denial of her sentence modification request.

In re C.D. - Termination of Parental Rights

The Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to terminate a mother's parental rights to her son, C.D. The court found the evidence sufficient to support the termination based on the mother's unfitness and the likelihood of its continuation, concluding that termination was in the child's best interests.

Armstrong v. State - Habeas Corpus Appeal

The Court of Appeals of Kansas affirmed the dismissal of Daryl Wayne Armstrong Jr.'s second motion for postconviction relief. Armstrong sought to overturn his sex crime convictions, but the court found his claims were conclusory and the motion was successive, failing to show exceptional circumstances.

Louisiana Court of Appeal Opinion on Succession Case

The Louisiana Court of Appeal issued an opinion regarding the succession of Emerick Mitchel Guillot. The court denied a stay and a writ in this case, identified by docket number 2026 CW 0144.

State of Louisiana v. Namicha Lacey - Court of Appeal Opinion

The Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit, issued an opinion in State of Louisiana v. Namicha Lacey. The court denied a request for rehearing, citing procedural rules regarding the timeliness of such applications and the denial of the original writ application.

State of Louisiana v. Sirelderick Deon Hays - Criminal Appeal

The Louisiana Court of Appeal affirmed the convictions and sentences of Sirelderick Deon Hays. Hays was convicted of manslaughter, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court denied his motions for post-verdict judgment of acquittal and for a new trial.