Verdict . News

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Jamal Kerns' conviction for murdering his cousin Keschon Kerns and assaulting Malik Golar

Georgia Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction in Cousin Killing Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Jamal Kerns for the malice murder of his cousin Keschon Kerns and aggravated assault of Malik Golar. The court's decision on Feb. 3, 2026, upheld a life sentence with possibility of parole plus additional consecutive terms.

•Kerns received life in prison with possibility of parole plus consecutive terms totaling 25 additional years

•NBCUniversal failed to meet Georgia's 45-day deadline for responding to garnishment proceedings

Georgia Supreme Court Rejects NBCUniversal's Constitutional Challenge

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled against NBCUniversal Media, LLC in its attempt to overturn a $500,000 default judgment after the company failed to respond timely to continuing garnishment proceedings. The court rejected constitutional challenges to Georgia's garnishment default statute.

•Default judgment of over $500,000 was entered despite NBCU's claim it owed less than $1,000

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Riley's felony murder conviction for the 2021 shooting death of Devion Miley

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction Despite Brady Claims

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed Zajaliq Riley's felony murder conviction, rejecting his claims that prosecutors violated due process by failing to disclose a witness agreement and that his counsel was ineffective.

•Court rejected Brady violation claims, finding no agreement existed with witness Bush before trial

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed felony murder convictions of Lewis Shells and Marcus Leslie for 2016 robberies resulting in death of Darius Tucker

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Felony Murder Convictions in 2016 Robbery

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the felony murder convictions of Lewis Shells and Marcus Leslie for their roles in November 2016 robberies that resulted in the shooting death of Darius Tucker. The court rejected appeals challenging evidence sufficiency and procedural violations.

•Five defendants were indicted on 22 counts including home invasion, burglary, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and kidnapping involving multiple victims

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed suppression of murder suspect's incriminating statements made during police interrogation

Georgia Supreme Court Affirms Suppression of Murder Suspect's Statements

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a trial court's decision to suppress incriminating statements made by Michael Donnell Lee during custodial interrogation in connection with a fatal shooting in Atlanta. Lee had invoked his constitutional rights to counsel and to remain silent before making the statements.

•Michael Donnell Lee had properly invoked his constitutional rights to counsel and to remain silent before the interrogation

•Taylor convicted of malice murder in September 2019 shooting death of Miguel Munoz

Georgia Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction in 2019 Shooting

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Shauntae Laquana Taylor in connection with the 2019 shooting death of Miguel Munoz in DeKalb County. Taylor was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after being found guilty on all charges.

•Co-defendant Jessica Smith testified for prosecution after cases were severed

•Ronald Welsch convicted of murder and related crimes in 2021 double shooting deaths of Jamar Walton and Sherrod Gore

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Double Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Ronald Welsch's murder conviction and life sentence without parole in connection with the May 2021 shooting deaths of Jamar Walton and Sherrod Gore in Lowndes County. The court rejected Welsch's appeal challenging the sufficiency of evidence and trial court rulings.

•Co-defendant Kent Gillard pleaded guilty and testified against Welsch at September 2022 bench trial

•Gerald Jerome Clark was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Mary Kilpatrick in September 2020

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Clark Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the convictions of Gerald Jerome Clark, who was sentenced to life without parole for the brutal murder of Mary Kilpatrick in September 2020. Clark was found guilty of multiple felonies including malice murder, arson, and kidnapping.

•Clark was convicted on multiple felony charges including malice murder, arson, kidnapping, and aggravated assault involving entrapping the victim in a car trunk and setting it on fire

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Tax Collection Notice Requirements

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in Torrington Tax Collector, LLC v. Riley, addressing whether municipal tax collectors can pursue bank execution actions against former business owners who did not receive proper notice of tax debts. The case involves a dispute over collection procedures against Holly Riley, who had moved to California years before the collection action.

•Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on municipal tax collection notice requirements in Torrington case

•Trial court found tax collector's bank execution action invalid due to lack of proper notice to defendant