The Supreme Court of Georgia has affirmed the felony murder conviction of Tommy Joe Byrd, rejecting his appeal that the trial court improperly denied a motion for a mistrial after a witness unexpectedly mentioned that Byrd had recently been released from prison. Byrd was convicted of felony murder in connection…
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Court Upholds Murder Conviction But Orders Resentencing After Finding Merger Error
The Supreme Court of Georgia largely affirmed the conviction of Tony Adams, Jr., for the malice murder of his mother, Belinda Woodson, but overturned key parts of his sentence due to a legal error concerning included offenses. While Adams’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel were rejected, the high court…
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Ninth Circuit Upholds Firearm Ban for Illegal Immigrants, Citing Historical Tradition
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed the conviction of Oscar Vazquez-Ramirez for possessing a firearm while being unlawfully present in the United States. The ruling relies on a historical analysis suggesting that regulations restricting firearm access for non-citizens are consistent with the nation’s traditions, even…
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Missouri’s Mandatory Halloween Sign for Sex Offenders Violates Free Speech, Eighth Circuit Rules
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down a Missouri law that required registered sex offenders to post a sign on Halloween stating, “No candy or treats at this residence.” The court affirmed the district court’s finding that this specific mandate constitutes compelled speech, violating the First Amendment, though…
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Life Sentence Upheld: Nebraska Supreme Court Reaffirms Limits on Reviewing Sentencing Decisions
The Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed a life sentence imposed on Armon K. Rejai for second degree murder, making it clear that appellate courts will not second-guess a trial judge’s sentencing decision unless there is a clear abuse of discretion. The ruling strongly reasserts established legal principles, specifically rejecting the…
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Court Affirms Harsher Sentence Despite Plea Deal Agreement
A defendant in Ohio’s Second Appellate District will serve a longer prison term than what was jointly recommended by the prosecution and defense, as the appellate court ruled the trial judge was within his rights to impose the stiffer penalty. Andrew Scott Latham appealed his sentence after pleading guilty to…
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Nebraska Court Upholds Denial of Post-Release Supervision Termination Despite Multiple Sentences
The Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed a district court’s decision to deny a motion seeking to terminate post-release supervision, ruling that the defendant was required to complete all prison time before supervision could begin, regardless of consecutive sentences imposed in different counties. The case involved Melvin L. Jackson, who appealed…
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Court Affirms Convictions in Child Sex Crimes Case, Upholding Rulings on Miranda, Trial Joinder
The Ohio Second District Court of Appeals has affirmed the convictions of Uriah Christopher Eichenlaub on charges of rape and gross sexual imposition involving a young child, concluding that the trial court made no reversible errors regarding the suppression of his statements, the decision to hold joint trials, or the…
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Donation Scheme Exposed: Appeals Court Upholds Conviction and Sentence for Misusing BLM Funds
A federal appeals court has affirmed the wire fraud and money laundering convictions and the resulting sentence for Sir Maejor Page, who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through a Facebook fundraising page purportedly for “Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta” (BLMGA) but instead spent the money on personal luxuries,…
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Kentucky Court Affirms Revocation of Probation for Man Who Quit Rehab and Fled
The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld the decision of the Harlan Circuit Court to revoke James Randall Nantz’s five-year probation, sending him to serve a cumulative 12-year prison sentence. The appellate court found that the trial court correctly followed statutory requirements when it determined Nantz posed a significant risk…