State Courts

Samuels v. State - Murder Conviction Appeal

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed the murder conviction of Dyanta Derall Samuels. Samuels appealed his 2022 convictions for malice murder and other crimes related to two separate incidents in 2020, arguing insufficient evidence and trial court errors. The court found the evidence sufficient and denied the appeal.

Murphy v. State - Appeal of Murder Conviction

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed Dacha vous Murphy's convictions for felony murder and other crimes stemming from a 2011 nightclub shooting. Murphy appealed, arguing various trial court errors, including the exclusion of evidence and ineffective assistance of counsel. The court found no reversible error and upheld the convictions.

Owens v. State - Supreme Court Reverses Murder Convictions

The Supreme Court of Georgia reversed Maria Owens's murder convictions, finding that the trial court erroneously instructed the jury on mutually exclusive mental states for crimes arising from a single act. The court applied its own previously overruled precedent, leading to the reversal of the felony murder conviction but allowing for retrial.

Rivers v. The State - Appeal of Malice Murder Conviction

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed Karre Rivers's conviction for malice murder and related crimes. Rivers appealed, asserting the trial court erred in charging the jury on excessive force. The court found no plain error and upheld the conviction and life sentence without parole.

Dempsey v. State - Appeal of Felony Murder Convictions

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed the felony murder convictions of Le’Quan Dempsey for the shooting deaths of John Pendrak and Aiden Reynolds. Dempsey appealed, arguing insufficient evidence and improper admission of evidence regarding his probation status. The court rejected these arguments.

State v. Jackson - Postconviction Relief Denied

The Delaware Superior Court denied Raymond Jackson's motion for postconviction relief. Jackson sought relief based on alleged evidence suppression and ineffective assistance of counsel, but the court found no grounds to overturn his guilty plea.

KBranch v. BS13 Menu Buyer - Summary Judgment Opinion

The Delaware Superior Court issued a memorandum opinion in KBranch, Inc. v. BS13 Menu Buyer, Inc. The court denied the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and granted in part and denied in part the defendant's motion for summary judgment regarding claims related to an escrow dispute following a company sale.

Delaware Court of Chancery Opinion on No Surprises Act

The Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed a case seeking to enforce arbitration awards under the No Surprises Act, ruling that the Act does not contain an implied private right of action. The court followed federal precedent in declining to create such a right, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims.

Commonwealth v. Caraballo-Nieves - Criminal Case Appeal

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court vacated a judgment dismissing drug charges against Jesus R. Caraballo-Nieves. The court found the trial judge abused discretion by refusing to allow the Commonwealth to proceed on a motion to suppress without presenting fentanyl-containing drugs as evidence, citing a conflicting court policy.

California Supreme Court Modifies People v. Dixon Opinion

The California Supreme Court has modified its previous opinion in the case of People v. Dixon. The court has remanded the case back to a lower court for a hearing, indicating a procedural adjustment rather than a substantive change in law.