Verdict . News

3w ago•4 min read

•Third Circuit denied Guatemalan national's asylum petition for review

Third Circuit Denies Guatemalan's Asylum Appeal in Immigration Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied Huber Adelmar Camaja-Ceballos's petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals removal order. The court upheld the BIA's denial of his applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture.

•Petitioner claimed persecution by gang members but provided inconsistent testimony

3w ago•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed denial of asylum for Salvadoran woman citing lack of evidence of specific MS-13 threats

3rd Circuit Denies Asylum for Salvadoran Woman Fleeing MS-13 Violence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum for Erika Urquilla-Pereira, a Salvadoran citizen who sought protection from MS-13 gang violence. The court acknowledged MS-13's dangerous presence in El Salvador but found insufficient evidence of specific threats against the petitioner.

•Court acknowledged MS-13's dangerous presence but required proof of individualized targeting

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Calvin Stapleton's life sentence for the 2017 murder of Andre Taylor

State Court

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction Despite Unsworn Bailiff Claims

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the malice murder conviction of Calvin Stapleton, who was sentenced to life without parole for the 2017 shooting death of Andre Taylor. The court rejected Stapleton's claims that unsworn bailiffs and ineffective counsel entitled him to a new trial.

•Court rejected claims that unsworn bailiffs and ineffective counsel warranted a new trial

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit denied petition for review of Guatemalan citizen's asylum case

3rd Circuit Denies Guatemalan Woman's Asylum Appeal in Gang Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied a petition for review from Consuelo de Maria Mejia Romero, a Guatemalan citizen who sought asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture after claiming gang threats at her beauty salon. The court upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to deny all her applications.

•Petitioner's testimony contradicted written statements about gang threats

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 14, 2026•3 min read

Fifth Circuit Denies Torture Protection for Salvadoran Gang Member

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied protection from deportation to Jose Fuentes-Pineda, a Salvadoran gang member convicted of murder who claimed he would face torture if returned to El Salvador. The court ruled that harsh prison conditions in El Salvador do not constitute government-intended torture under the Convention Against Torture.

•Fifth Circuit upheld BIA denial of Convention Against Torture protection for Salvadoran gang member

•Court found El Salvador's harsh prison conditions don't constitute intentional government torture

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 8, 2026•4 min read

4th Circuit Denies Asylum Appeal for El Salvador Mother, Child

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review from Ana Rafaela Marquez-Cruz, who sought asylum on behalf of herself and her minor daughter. The court upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' dismissal of their asylum application in an unpublished opinion issued January 8, 2026.

•Fourth Circuit denied asylum petition for El Salvador mother and minor daughter

•Case involved MS-13 gang harassment dating back to 2003 when petitioner was 12

•Nine South Bay men indicted for racketeering conspiracy as SAP Norteños gang members

Legal News

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

Nine Salinas Gang Members Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges

A federal grand jury has indicted nine South Bay men for racketeering conspiracy as members of the Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteños street gang. The charges include 11 murders, 14 attempted murders, and extensive drug and weapons trafficking operations.

•Charges include 11 murders and 14 attempted murders linked to gang activities

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit denied asylum petition from Honduran family fleeing MS-13 gang violence

3rd Circuit Denies Asylum for Honduran Family Fleeing Gang Violence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied a petition for review from a Honduran family seeking asylum and withholding of removal after fleeing MS-13 gang violence. The non-precedential decision affects Minerva Carbajal-Recinos and her nephew Delmer Orlando Carbajal-Duque.

•Gang members systematically extorted and pillaged the family's farm from 2008-2009

•California Supreme Court reversed gang enhancements and death sentence for Refugio Ruben Cardenas

State Court

Sep 4, 2025•4 min read

California Supreme Court

California Supreme Court Reverses Gang Enhancement in Death Penalty Case

The California Supreme Court reversed gang enhancement allegations and a death sentence for Refugio Ruben Cardenas, who was convicted of murder and attempted murder. The court found error based on legal developments that occurred after the original trial.

•Court found error based on People v. Sanchez decision and Assembly Bill 333 amendments to gang law