Verdict . News

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

SJC: Crimes in Detention Don't Count as 'On Release' Offenses

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Lewis v. Commonwealth that a defendant cannot be considered 'on release' for purposes of state bail law if they remain in detention after bail is set but not posted. The decision clarifies an important distinction in Massachusetts bail statutes.

•Court ruled that being 'on release' requires actual posting of bail, not just having bail set

•Decision affects interpretation of G.L. c. 276, § 58 regarding crimes committed while on release

•Byron Mayhan appealed three rape convictions arguing insufficient evidence of 'physical union'

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Affirms Rape Convictions in Mayhan Case

The Delaware Supreme Court has affirmed the rape convictions of Byron Mayhan, who challenged his convictions by arguing the state failed to present direct evidence of required 'physical union' in forced oral sex charges. The court unanimously rejected Mayhan's appeal in a case stemming from a violent 2020 assault at a Wilmington park.

•The case involved violent assaults at two locations in Wilmington on May 29, 2020

•Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Carter's motion for reconsideration on January 20, 2026

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Dismisses Police Lawsuit Appeal by Samuel Carter

The Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Carter's motion for reconsideration in his lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department and multiple officers. The court ruled that its December 2025 decision rejecting Carter's certiorari petition is final and cannot be reconsidered under state appellate rules.

•Court ruled its December 2025 certiorari rejection is final under appellate rules

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Denies Habeas Corpus Appeal in Grant Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court has denied Cecil Grant's habeas corpus petition challenging his conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery, and assault in connection with the shooting of a pizza delivery driver. Grant had claimed his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance.

•Connecticut Supreme Court denied Cecil Grant's habeas corpus petition challenging his robbery and assault convictions

•Grant claimed his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance in his defense strategy

Supreme Court of New Jersey

N.J. Supreme Court Sets New Standard for Attorney Duty to Non-Clients

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously established a new standard for determining when attorneys owe a duty of care to non-clients in legal malpractice cases. The decision arose from a dispute over estate planning errors that allegedly cost beneficiaries their inheritance.

•New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously established new standard for attorney duty of care to non-clients in malpractice cases

•Case involved estate planning attorney who allegedly misadvised clients about existing wills, causing beneficiaries to lose inheritance

•Delaware Supreme Court reversed Court of Chancery ruling in favor of Moelis & Company

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Reverses Chancery in Moelis Shareholder Case

The Delaware Supreme Court reversed a Court of Chancery ruling in a class action lawsuit brought by the West Palm Beach Firefighters' Pension Fund against investment bank Moelis & Company. The January 20, 2026 decision represents a victory for the financial services firm in a dispute over stockholder agreement provisions.

•Case involved pension fund challenge to stockholders agreement provisions

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Denies Habeas Appeal in Grant Pizza Delivery Shooting

The Connecticut Supreme Court has denied Cecil Grant's habeas corpus petition challenging his convictions for conspiracy, attempted robbery, and assault in connection with the shooting of a pizza delivery driver. Grant had claimed ineffective assistance of counsel in his original trial.

•Connecticut Supreme Court denied Cecil Grant's habeas corpus petition challenging convictions for conspiracy, attempted robbery, and assault

•Grant was convicted in connection with shooting of pizza delivery driver after co-defendant testified against him

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Reviews Sexual Assault Conviction Appeal

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision in State v. Carlos G., examining the defendant's conviction on five counts of first-degree sexual assault involving two child victims at a home daycare. The case involved complex jury instruction issues regarding unanimity requirements for multiple instances of abuse.

•Connecticut Supreme Court reviewed conviction for five counts of first-degree sexual assault involving child victims at defendant's home daycare

•Case involved complex jury instruction issues regarding unanimity requirements for multiple instances of alleged abuse

•Colorado Supreme Court denied certiorari in self-defense case but Chief Justice dissented

Colorado Supreme Court

Colorado Supreme Court Denies Self-Defense Appeal in Split Decision

The Colorado Supreme Court denied certiorari in *Mumin v. People*, but Chief Justice Márquez dissented, seeking to clarify whether the provocation exception to self-defense requires conscious intent to provoke an attack.

•Legal dispute centers on whether provocation exception requires conscious intent to provoke