State Courts

State v. Morales - Sentencing Appeal

The Nebraska Court of Appeals reviewed sentencing in State v. Morales. The court affirmed sentences for two convictions but vacated and remanded one sentence due to plain error in sentencing procedure. The case involves charges of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine.

State v. Starkey - Possession Conviction Appeal Affirmed

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the possession conviction of Natasha L. Starkey. The court ruled against Starkey's assertions that the district court erred in admitting evidence or denying her motion to suppress physical evidence obtained during a search at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.

State v. Pineda-Paz - Attempted Murder Conviction Affirmed

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed the attempted murder conviction of Hermes J. Pineda-Paz. The court found no error in the district court's sentencing or in the effectiveness of Pineda-Paz's trial counsel. The decision upholds the original conviction and sentence.

State v. Lockman - Fentanyl Possession Conviction Affirmed

The Nebraska Court of Appeals affirmed Stephen J. Lockman's convictions for drug possession with intent to distribute and tampering with evidence. Lockman appealed his convictions, arguing issues with impeachment evidence, insufficient evidence, and ineffective assistance of counsel.

Cup Foods v. City of Minneapolis - Property Taking Claim

The Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Cup Foods, Inc. and other business owners against the City of Minneapolis. The businesses alleged that the city's actions following George Floyd's death constituted an unconstitutional taking of their property. The court found no unconstitutional taking occurred.

State v. Thompson - Criminal Competency Appeal

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's order finding Nicholas Scott Thompson competent to proceed with criminal proceedings. The court found no error in declining to consider the appellant's request to discharge his counsel and that counsel's performance was objectively reasonable.

State of Minnesota v. Shane Joseph Gross - Criminal Appeal

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Shane Joseph Gross on charges including drive-by shooting and assault. The court found no abuse of discretion in admitting evidence of jail calls and determined that a single remark during closing arguments did not affect the verdict.

State v. Mason - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed and remanded a district court's sentencing decision for Paul Lewis Mason. The appellate court found the district court abused its discretion by imposing a downward durational departure in sentencing for felony threats of violence. The case is remanded for resentencing.

Krystal Drift v. Sean Swapinski - Harassment Restraining Order Affirmed

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a harassment restraining order (HRO) against Sean Swapinski, finding the district court did not err in admitting evidence or in its factual findings. The HRO prohibits Swapinski from contacting Krystal Drift or coming within 25 feet of her home for two years.

Dormire v. State of Iowa - Sexual Abuse Conviction Affirmed

The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's denial of postconviction relief for Caleb Dormire, who was convicted of sexual abuse in the second degree. The court found no merit in Dormire's arguments regarding ineffective trial counsel and newly discovered evidence.