Verdict . News

Connecticut Supreme Court

2w ago•4 min read

Connecticut Supreme Court Hears State v. Johnson Murder Appeal

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision in State v. Johnson, a criminal case involving murder, first-degree burglary, and conspiracy convictions. The case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews following the discovery of a decomposed body.

•Connecticut Supreme Court decided appeal in murder case involving Miles Johnson

•Case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews after body discovery

Supreme Court of Minnesota

3w ago•4 min read

Minnesota Supreme Court Orders New Trial in Nightclub Murder Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Jan. 28 that confusing jury instructions warrant a new trial in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from Unity McGill's murder at The Red Carpet Nightclub in St. Cloud. The court rejected the defendant's 'invited error' argument and clarified standards for innkeeper negligence cases.

•Minnesota Supreme Court ordered new trial due to confusing jury instructions in nightclub murder case

•Court rejected 'invited error' defense, allowing plaintiff to challenge problematic instructions on appeal

•Defense expert Harry Lidsky testified that 'catfishing did not occur' in the double murder case

Legal News

3w ago•4 min read

Defense Expert Challenges Catfishing Theory in Virginia Double Murder Trial

A digital forensics expert testified that no catfishing occurred in the double murder case against Brendan Banfield and au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães, directly challenging prosecutors' theory that they lured victim Joseph Ryan through an elaborate online scheme.

•Forensic evidence shows Christine Banfield frequently used her laptop in evenings, contradicting au pair's testimony

Supreme Court of the United States

Supreme Court

3w ago•2 min read

Supreme Court to Decide Glossip v. Oklahoma Death Penalty Case

The Supreme Court will decide Glossip v. Oklahoma, a capital punishment case involving Richard Glossip, who has been on death row for nearly 28 years. The case centers on whether Glossip should be executed based primarily on testimony from the actual killer, Justin Sneed, and involves complex post-conviction relief proceedings.

•Richard Glossip has been on death row for nearly 28 years based primarily on testimony from the actual killer, Justin Sneed

•The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Glossip's conviction on first appeal due to ineffective assistance of counsel, but he was retried and again sentenced to death

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

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

•Qamar Williams convicted of malice murder in 2019 shooting death of Calvin Chappell

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Williams Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Qamar Williams, who was sentenced to life without parole for the 2019 shooting death of Calvin Chappell. The court rejected Williams's appeal challenging newly discovered evidence claims and jury instruction issues.

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed life sentence without parole plus 15 years consecutive

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed denial of Russell Williams' motion to withdraw guilty plea for murder

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Denies Williams' Plea Withdrawal in Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a trial court's denial of Russell Williams' motion to withdraw his guilty plea for the beating death of Marcos Guerra-Lopez. Williams had pleaded guilty to malice murder and other crimes in April 2023.

•Williams pleaded guilty to malice murder and other crimes in beating death of Marcos Guerra-Lopez

Federal Circuit

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Denial of Habeas Petition in Ohio Murder Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has affirmed a lower court's denial of a habeas corpus petition filed by Ohio prisoner Jamal Dye, who was convicted of murder following a fatal shooting at a party. The federal appeals court's decision, filed January 21, 2026, upholds the district court's rejection of Dye's constitutional claims challenging his state court conviction.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed denial of habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254

•Case involves Ohio prisoner Jamal Dye convicted of murder in shooting death of James Gray

•Ohio Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of inmate's habeas corpus petition

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal of Inmate's Habeas Challenge

The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's dismissal of inmate Sammy Montanez's habeas corpus petition. The court ruled that Montanez remains lawfully imprisoned under two valid criminal judgments and has not completed his maximum sentence term.

•Sammy Montanez challenged his imprisonment but court found two valid criminal judgments support his confinement