US Courts

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.

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. Urquidi-Martinez - Criminal Sexual Penetration Double Jeopardy

The New Mexico Supreme Court reviewed a Court of Appeals decision vacating two convictions for criminal sexual penetration (CSP) on double jeopardy grounds. The court reversed the Court of Appeals regarding one conviction, reinstating it.

State v. Aguilar - Non-Precedential Opinion

The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a non-precedential opinion affirming the convictions of Precious Aguilar for accessory to murder, conspiracy, accessory to kidnapping, accessory to aggravated battery, and tampering with evidence. The court found sufficient evidence and rejected claims of prosecutorial misconduct.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.