Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•4 min read

11th Circuit Upholds 15-Year Sentence for Felon's Firearm Possession

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 180-month prison sentence for Tomario Ricardo Hicks, who pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The enhanced sentence was imposed under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed 180-month sentence under Armed Career Criminal Act

•Hicks pled guilty to felon-in-possession charge after 2022 traffic stop

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•4 min read

Eleventh Circuit Affirms Cocaine Distribution Sentence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a federal criminal sentence against Joseph Acevedo, who was convicted on cocaine distribution and firearm charges after police discovered drugs, cash, and a weapon during a traffic stop in Florida.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed federal sentence against Joseph Acevedo for cocaine distribution and firearm charges

•Case began with traffic stop that revealed cocaine, $12,540 in cash, and loaded pistol

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

1w ago•4 min read

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Double Murder Conviction of Aaron Aldrich

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Aaron Aldrich's conviction on two counts of intentional murder and illegal firearm possession, rejecting his claims that evidentiary rulings and jury instructions deprived him of a fair trial. The court issued its decision on February 5, 2026.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Aaron Aldrich's conviction on two murder counts and illegal firearm possession

•Court rejected claims that evidentiary rulings and suppressed statements deprived defendant of fair trial

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms Guilty Plea Despite Defendant's Medication Use

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a district court properly handled a guilty plea from a defendant who had taken medications for bipolar disorder and sleep issues before the proceeding. The court rejected Steve Boria's argument that Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 required more extensive inquiry into his medication use.

•Second Circuit affirmed guilty plea despite defendant's use of psychiatric medications before court hearing

•Court ruled district judge's follow-up questions about mental clarity satisfied Rule 11 requirements

•Travis Graham appeals felony murder conviction for 2020 shooting death of Jeffrey Franklin

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Reviews Murder Conviction Appeal in Graham Case

The Georgia Supreme Court issued a decision February 3, 2026, in *Graham v. State*, addressing Travis Santel Graham's appeal of his felony murder conviction. Graham challenges his life sentence, claiming ineffective assistance of counsel regarding jury instruction requests.

•Claims ineffective assistance regarding jury instruction requests on property defense and character evidence

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

Georgia Supreme Court

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

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

Georgia Supreme Court

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

•Smith pleaded guilty in 2011 to attempted first-degree assault and firearm possession during felony commission, receiving a 25-year sentence for each charge

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Denies Writ of Prohibition in Smith Case

The Delaware Supreme Court denied a petition for writ of prohibition filed by Derrick Smith, who sought to prevent the Superior Court from proceeding with actions related to his 2011 guilty plea for attempted assault and firearm possession. Smith, serving a 25-year sentence for possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, unsuccessfully argued the lower court should be restrained from further proceedings.

•The Supreme Court denied his petition to prohibit the Superior Court from proceeding with certain actions related to his sentencing

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Upholds Warrantless Vehicle Search in Gun Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's denial of a motion to suppress evidence in *United States v. Davalos*, where a convicted felon challenged a warrantless search of his vehicle. The court ruled that exigent circumstances and probable cause justified the search that uncovered marijuana and a firearm.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed denial of suppression motion in felon firearm possession case

•Court found exigent circumstances and probable cause justified warrantless vehicle search