Verdict . News

•Vermont Supreme Court reversed Anna Sylvester's conviction for lewd conduct with a child

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Reverses Child Sex Abuse Conviction Over Testimony Rules

The Vermont Supreme Court reversed Anna Sylvester's conviction for lewd conduct with a child, ruling that allowing the six-year-old complainant to testify outside the defendant's presence violated constitutional confrontation rights.

•Court ruled that allowing six-year-old complainant to testify outside defendant's presence violated Sixth Amendment confrontation rights

Supreme Court of New Jersey

NJ Appeals Court Upholds 42-Year Sentence in Casino Sexual Assault Case

The New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division affirmed the convictions of Jamel Carlton for aggravated sexual assault, burglary, and other charges against an Atlantic City casino-hotel housekeeper. The court upheld a 42-year prison sentence after rejecting Carlton's appeal challenging his Confrontation Clause rights.

•New Jersey appeals court affirmed 42-year sentence for Jamel Carlton in casino sexual assault case

•DNA evidence and surveillance video supported victim's testimony about violent encounter

•Supreme Court of Texas requires disclosure of communications with neutral appraisers about hiring decisions to all parties

Texas Supreme Court

Texas Supreme Court Sets Appraiser Impartiality Standards in Real Estate Case

The Supreme Court of Texas ruled that communications about hiring decisions with neutral appraisers in real estate disputes must be disclosed to all parties. The unanimous decision in Burke v. Houston PT BAC Office Limited Partnership establishes new transparency requirements for commercial lease valuation disputes.

•Court applied arbitration law impartiality principles to real estate appraisal dispute resolution processes

•Jackson and three codefendants murdered James and Carol Sumner by burying them alive in 2005

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Penalty in 2005 Burial Murders

The Florida Supreme Court issued a corrected opinion in the case of Michael James Jackson, who was convicted of robbing, kidnapping, and murdering an elderly couple by burying them alive in 2005. Jackson's death sentences were vacated in 2017 but the case has continued through appeals under changing Florida capital punishment laws.

•Original death sentences vacated in 2017 due to Hurst v. State requiring unanimous jury recommendations

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Dec 19, 2025•2 min read

Maryland Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in State Farm Auto Case, Vacates Judgment

The Maryland Supreme Court granted a petition for writ of certiorari on December 19, 2025, in *Bowler v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company*, vacating the lower court judgment and remanding the case with reference to its recent Bowens decision, marking a significant development in the auto insurance dispute from Prince George's County Circuit Court.

•Maryland Supreme Court granted petition for writ of certiorari in Bowler v. State Farm case on December 19, 2025

•Court vacated the lower court judgment and remanded case to Prince George's County Circuit Court

•Nebraska Supreme Court establishes that appellate jurisdiction questions are matters of law in insurance disputes

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Appellate Jurisdiction in Insurance Case

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a decision December 19, 2025, in Continental Indemnity Company v. Starr Indemnity & Liability Co., establishing important precedent on appellate jurisdiction requirements for insurance disputes between out-of-state corporations.

•Court clarifies requirements for final judgments, mandating single signed documents addressing all relief

•Nebraska Supreme Court clarifies that ineffective counsel claims involve mixed questions of law and fact requiring different review standards

Nebraska Supreme Court Sets Standards for Ineffective Counsel Claims

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Keadle on December 19, 2025, clarifying appellate review standards for ineffective assistance of counsel claims in criminal cases. The court applied the established Strickland v. Washington framework while addressing procedural questions about how appeals courts should evaluate attorney performance.

•Court applies clear error review to factual findings but independent review to legal determinations under Strickland test

•Nebraska Supreme Court establishes that appellate courts review bad acts evidence rulings for abuse of discretion under Evidence Rule 404(2)

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Evidence Standards in State v. Logan

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued an opinion in State v. Logan on December 19, 2025, establishing clearer standards for when trial courts abuse their discretion in evidentiary rulings. The decision provides guidance on admitting evidence of defendants' other crimes or bad acts under Nebraska Evidence Rule 404(2).

•Court defines abuse of discretion as decisions based on 'untenable or unreasonable' reasons or actions 'clearly against justice or conscience'

•Court established that plain error requires unasserted trial errors that are plainly evident, prejudice substantial rights, and threaten judicial integrity

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Plain Error Standard in State v. Molina

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued an opinion December 19, 2025, in State v. Cristian E. Gonzalez Molina establishing clear standards for when appellate courts may address unpreserved errors. The ruling emphasizes protecting judicial integrity while limiting plain error review to cases involving substantial rights and potential miscarriages of justice.

•Appellate courts retain discretion in plain error review but are not constrained by specific brief arguments or required to review every possible error