Verdict . News

•North Carolina Supreme Court ruled on jury instruction standards for castle doctrine in State v. Allison shooting case

NC Supreme Court Rules on Castle Doctrine in Fatal Doorway Shooting

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Allison, addressing whether a jury was properly instructed on the castle doctrine after George Lee Allison was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Brandon Adams in his doorway in December 2020.

•George Lee Allison convicted of second-degree murder for shooting Brandon Adams in doorway in December 2020

•North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed conviction for possession of stolen firearm based on substantial evidence standard

NC Supreme Court Upholds Stolen Firearm Conviction in State v. Bracey

The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a conviction for possession of a stolen firearm, ruling there was substantial evidence that defendant Mack Vernon Bracey knew or had reasonable grounds to believe the gun was stolen. The December 12, 2025 decision resolves questions about knowledge standards in stolen firearm cases.

•Court ruled there was sufficient evidence defendant knew or had reasonable grounds to believe gun was stolen

•Pedro Isaias Calderon was convicted of three counts of taking indecent liberties with a 13-year-old girl

NC Supreme Court Reviews Conviction in Child Sexual Abuse Case

The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled on the appeal of Pedro Isaias Calderon, who was convicted in 2021 of taking indecent liberties with a 13-year-old girl. The state's highest court reviewed the case after the Court of Appeals partially reversed the conviction and remanded for resentencing.

•Court of Appeals partially reversed conviction, finding insufficient evidence for one count

•Supreme Court modified Court of Appeals decision to require actual knowledge, not 'should have known' standard for felony animal cruelty

NC Supreme Court Modifies Animal Cruelty Standard in State v. Ford

The North Carolina Supreme Court modified a Court of Appeals decision in State v. Ford, clarifying that felony animal cruelty requires actual knowledge of an animal's presence, not a 'should have known' standard. The court otherwise affirmed the denial of Ford's motions to dismiss felony obstruction and animal cruelty charges.

•Court otherwise affirmed denial of Ford's motions to dismiss both felony obstruction and animal cruelty charges

•North Carolina Supreme Court issued brief per curiam affirmation upholding criminal conviction

NC Supreme Court Affirms Criminal Conviction in State v. Reel

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued a brief per curiam affirmation in State v. Quashaun Melsun Reel, upholding a criminal conviction that originated in Guilford County Superior Court. The case reached the state's highest court after a divided Court of Appeals panel affirmed the original December 2022 conviction.

•Case originated with December 2022 conviction in Guilford County Superior Court

•North Carolina Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision allowing consecutive sentences for robbery convictions alongside concurrent life sentences for juvenile murder

NC Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeals on Juvenile Sentencing

The North Carolina Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision in State v. Kelliher, allowing consecutive sentences for robbery convictions to run alongside concurrent life sentences for a juvenile murderer. The case involves James Ryan Kelliher, who was 17 when he committed the August 2001 murders of Eric Carpenter and his pregnant girlfriend Kelsea Helton.

•Case involves James Ryan Kelliher, who was 17 when he murdered Eric Carpenter and pregnant girlfriend Kelsea Helton in 2001

•Nebraska Supreme Court defined intent to terrorize as producing intense fear or anxiety in another person

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Intent in Juvenile Terror Threats

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling December 12 in In re Interest of Jerel S., defining the intent requirement for terroristic threats prosecutions against juveniles. The court held that intent to terrorize means producing intense fear or anxiety in another person.

•Court applied de novo review standard in juvenile delinquency cases while recognizing trial court advantages in witness credibility

•Court established two-pronged test for self-defense requiring objectively reasonable and good faith belief in necessity of using force

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Affirms Criminal Conviction, Sets Self-Defense Standard

The Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed a criminal conviction in *State v. Rupp*, establishing key precedent on self-defense claims and evidence sufficiency standards. The December 12, 2025 ruling clarifies legal requirements for asserting self-defense and reinforces appellate review procedures.

•Reaffirmed standard that appellate courts must view evidence in light most favorable to prosecution when reviewing criminal convictions

•North Carolina Supreme Court ruled on when sales tax applies to prepaid wireless stored-value cards

NC Supreme Court Rules on Sales Tax for Prepaid Wireless Services

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued a ruling in December 2025 addressing taxation of prepaid wireless calling services under the state's Sales and Use Tax Act. The case involved a dispute between the North Carolina Department of Revenue and Wireless Center of NC, Inc. over when sales tax should be collected on real-time replenishments sold as stored-value cards.

•Dispute centered on whether tax should be collected at purchase or redemption of real-time replenishments