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Bolandian Insider Trading Conviction Vacated, Remanded

The Ninth Circuit vacated Shahriyar Bolandian's insider trading conviction and remanded for a new trial, holding that the district court plainly erred by failing to independently investigate a juror (Juror No. 6) who expressed uncertainty about his impartiality. The panel held that defense counsel cannot waive a district court's independent duty to conduct a reasonable inquiry into juror bias that emerges during trial; without such an inquiry, Bolandian forfeited — rather than waived — his bias challenge, triggering plain-error review on appeal.

Martin v. Thomas Chevrolet - Wrongful Termination Appeal Affirmed

The Pennsylvania Superior Court affirmed the lower court's judgment in Martin v. Thomas Chevrolet, upholding a $0 jury verdict in a wrongful termination case. The appellant, Scott Martin, claimed his employment was terminated in retaliation for refusing to participate in insurance fraud. The court rejected claims of error regarding jury instructions, juror challenges, and evidentiary rulings.

Frank Estrada, III v. The State of Texas - Protective Order Violation Affirmed

Frank Estrada III was convicted in Travis County, Texas of violating a protective order twice within twelve months. The Texas Court of Appeals, 3rd District affirmed the conviction and six-year sentence, rejecting challenges to evidentiary rulings and juror selection. The case arose from Estrada's violation of a 2022 agreed protective order despite having been found to have committed family violence.

Goklu v. United States - Bitcoin Money Laundering Conviction Upheld

The Second Circuit rejected all three challenges to Mustafa Goklu's money laundering and unlicensed money transmitting business convictions stemming from bitcoin-for-cash exchanges with an undercover officer. The court affirmed that exchanging bitcoin for cash constitutes 'money transmitting' under federal law, that the district court properly empaneled the challenged juror, and that the jury instruction on transferring funds was legally correct. Goklu's sentencing challenge was dismissed as moot.

AG Uthmeier Secures Death Sentence for Joseph Zieler

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Capital Appeals Division secured affirmation of a death sentence for Joseph Zieler at the Florida Supreme Court. Zieler was convicted for the 1990 murder and rape of an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter during a home invasion; he evaded justice for decades until CODIS DNA linked him to the crimes. The affirmation represents one of the first capital sentences under Florida's new death penalty law (SB 450), which reduced the jury threshold from unanimous to a supermajority of eight jurors.

People v. Deen - Murder Convictions Reversed, Death Penalty Remanded

The California Supreme Court reversed murder convictions and the death penalty for Omar Richard Deen in People v. Deen (S092615), finding reversible error in the trial court's ruling on a defense challenge for cause of a juror panelist. The case, which originated in Imperial County Superior Court (CF-5338), is remanded for further proceedings.

State v. Bunton - Convictions Vacated Due to Biased Juror

Utah Court of Appeals vacated Brian Keith Bunton's convictions for aggravated sexual abuse of a child, child endangerment, and surreptitious administration of a substance, remanding for a new trial. The appellate court found the district court erred in failing to strike Juror 23 for cause after the juror expressed reservations about his ability to be unbiased in deliberations, stating he had opinions about cases involving children and young children of his own. The court held this warranted dismissal for cause.

Court of Appeal Quashes Former Churchwarden Murder Conviction, Orders Retrial

The Court of Appeal quashed Benjamin Field's murder conviction for the 2015 killing of Peter Farquhar, ordering a retrial after finding jurors were not properly directed on whether Farquhar's decision to drink spiked whisky was voluntary. Lord Justice Edis said the CPS may take the case to the Supreme Court, and Field will remain in prison pending any such appeal.

State v. Rickert - Assault Conviction Affirmed, Jury Coercion Claim Rejected

The Court of Appeals of Washington, Division One, affirmed Ryan Benjamin Rickert's convictions for assault in the third degree, criminal trespass in the first degree, and resisting arrest. The court rejected Rickert's claim that the trial court impermissibly coerced a juror into changing their vote on the assault charge. The court also rejected his double jeopardy argument, finding that assault and resisting arrest are separate offenses with distinct elements.

Daugherty v. Dingus - Habeas Corpus (Jury Impartiality)

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of Tony Daugherty's habeas petition, upholding the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals' determination that a juror's comments during deliberations (expressing knowledge of defendant's family and fear of consequences if acquitted) did not constitute impermissible external influence under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 standards.

Dorian Omar Chavarria v. Commonwealth of Virginia - Criminal Appeal Affirmed

The Court of Appeals of Virginia affirmed Dorian Omar Chavarria's conviction and sentences for object sexual penetration and aggravated sexual battery. The court rejected his double jeopardy challenge, holding that each offense contains an element the other does not, and therefore separate punishments are constitutional. The defendant's claim of juror misconduct was also waived under Rule 5A:18.

State v. Crockett - Criminal Conviction Appeal

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions of Dalvin Jarrell Crockett for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree aggravated robbery. The court found no abuse of discretion in the admission of prior-bad-acts evidence or the disqualification of a juror.

State of Minnesota v. Daniel Martez Walker - Criminal Appeal

The Minnesota Court of Appeals filed a nonprecedential opinion affirming the conviction of Daniel Martez Walker for second-degree intentional murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court addressed Walker's arguments regarding the exclusion of evidence, juror bias, and voir dire.

Gantt v. Washington - Personal Restraint Petition Denied

The Washington Court of Appeals denied Ian Anthony Gantt's personal restraint petition. The court found no evidence of jury bias or ineffective counsel regarding the impaneling of a previously excused juror and the decision not to call an expert witness on herpes transmission.

State v. Manzano-Legarda - Juror Inquiry

The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a felony murder conviction, ruling that the defendant lacked standing to challenge the search of a vehicle he did not own and that any error in admitting evidence from his room was harmless. The court also addressed the proper procedure for jury inquiries.

Sharpe v. Virginia - Judgment Affirmed

The Court of Appeals of Virginia affirmed the trial court's judgment against John Michael Sharpe, who was convicted of 20 counts of soliciting child pornography. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion in admitting testimony of prior bad acts, limiting jury instructions, or denying a motion for a new trial due to juror misconduct.

People v. Doster - Criminal Appeal

The California Court of Appeal reversed a criminal conviction in People v. Doster, finding that the trial court erred in discharging a prospective juror and violated the Racial Justice Act. The case is remanded for a new trial.

State v. Serrano - Criminal Appeal

The Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction in State v. Serrano, a non-precedential decision. The appeal concerned the adequacy of an evidentiary hearing regarding a juror's social media activity during deliberations. The court found no constitutional infirmity.

Louisiana v. Jermeil Young - Affirmation of Denial of Batson Challenge

The Louisiana Court of Appeal affirmed a district court's decision denying a Batson challenge in the case of Louisiana v. Jermeil Young. The court found the State's reason for striking a prospective juror was race-neutral. The decision was issued on March 13, 2026.

People v. Essor - Criminal Conviction Affirmation

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a judgment convicting Richard Essor of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon. The court found the defendant's contentions regarding juror excusal and sentencing unpreserved for review or without merit.