Verdict . News

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

5d ago•4 min read

Mass. High Court Denies Second New Trial Motion in 2005 Double Murder

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has denied a second new trial motion for Dennis M. Bateman, who was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for killing Brandy Waryasz and her unborn child in 2005. The court previously affirmed his convictions in 2023 after denying his first new trial motion.

•Dennis Bateman was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for killing Brandy Waryasz and her viable unborn child in 2005

•The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court previously affirmed his convictions in 2023 after denying his first new trial motion

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

6d ago•5 min read

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Vacates Conviction in Commonwealth v. Torner

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted Roberto Torner's petition for allowance of appeal and vacated a Superior Court decision affirming his criminal conviction. The court remanded the case for reconsideration in light of the recent Commonwealth v. Walker decision.

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted Roberto Torner's petition and vacated Superior Court's conviction affirmance

•Case remanded for reconsideration based on recent Commonwealth v. Walker precedent from January 2026

•Court upheld reasonable suspicion standard for vehicle stop based on eyewitness 911 call

NY Court of Appeals Upholds Weapons Conviction After Vehicle Stop

The New York Court of Appeals ruled that police officers had reasonable suspicion to stop a minivan suspected of involvement in prior criminal incidents, upholding defendant Amado Zubidi's conviction on four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

•Defendant convicted on four counts of criminal possession of weapon in second degree

•Court of Appeals addresses division among Appellate Division departments on Lopez exception application

NY Court of Appeals Clarifies Plea Challenge Standards in People v. Rios

The New York Court of Appeals issued a decision on Feb. 19 in People v. Rios addressing when defendants can challenge plea allocutions on appeal without first seeking withdrawal in trial court. The case involves the narrow Lopez exception for factually insufficient plea allocutions.

•Case involves standards for challenging plea allocutions without prior trial court motion

•New York Court of Appeals reversed unlicensed driving conviction due to improper jury note handling

NY Court of Appeals Reverses Traffic Conviction Over Jury Note Error

The New York Court of Appeals reversed Carlos Galindo's unlicensed driving conviction after finding the trial court failed to read a jury note verbatim as required by established precedent. The court held that improper handling of jury communications deprived the defendant of meaningful notice regarding jury confusion about key legal definitions.

•Trial court failed to read jury note verbatim as required by People v. O'Rama precedent

•Anderson's 16-month-old son died of asphyxia in 2002, ruled a homicide, but case went cold until 2018

NY Court of Appeals Upholds Murder Conviction in Cold Case Child Death

The New York Court of Appeals rejected Kelly Anderson's appeal in her murder conviction for the 2002 death of her 16-month-old son. The court ruled that lower courts properly applied evidence standards in a case built entirely on circumstantial evidence.

•Murder charges filed in 2020 based entirely on circumstantial evidence including unexplained bruises and harsh discipline

North Dakota Supreme Court

North Dakota Supreme Court Upholds Warrantless Vehicle Search

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling in *State v. Medina*, reinforcing law enforcement's authority to conduct warrantless vehicle searches under the automobile exception when probable cause exists. The court emphasized that officers may draw on their experience when determining whether contraband or evidence is likely present.

•North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed warrantless vehicle search under automobile exception

•Court ruled probable cause requires reasonable belief, not certainty, that contraband is present

North Dakota Supreme Court

North Dakota Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction in Davis Case

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the criminal conviction of Delon Evan Davis, who was found guilty of murder, tampering with evidence, unlawful firearm possession, and providing false information to law enforcement. The court rejected Davis's appeal arguments regarding procedural rule violations and evidence admission.

•Davis convicted on multiple felony charges including murder of Mark Ramon McMillan

•Supreme Court rejected arguments about criminal information amendment and evidence admission

1w ago•4 min read

•Court affirmed that combination of marijuana odor, bloodshot eyes, and defendant's admission of recent use provides reasonable cause for DWI charges

NY Court of Appeals Upholds Marijuana DWI Conviction Standard

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision in People v. Morel, ruling that allegations of recent marijuana use, physical signs of impairment, and refusal to submit to drug testing provide sufficient reasonable cause for driving while ability impaired charges. The Feb. 17 decision clarifies evidentiary standards for prosecuting marijuana-impaired driving cases.

•Decision clarifies evidentiary standards for marijuana-impaired driving prosecutions under Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1192(4)

•Idaho Supreme Court affirmed conviction for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter after jury acquitted on felony charge

1w ago•4 min read

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Vehicular Manslaughter Conviction

The Idaho Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of Pompeyo Salazar-Cabrera for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, following his appeal of a district court decision. The case involved a jury that acquitted Salazar-Cabrera on felony charges but convicted him on the lesser-included misdemeanor offense.

•Judge initially promised no jail time but later sentenced defendant to 150 days, creating grounds for appeal