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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit

Jan 12, 2026•4 min read

5th Circuit Upholds Sentence for Modified Gun Killing After Fake Sale

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal sentence of Jamaion Wilson, who killed a man with a modified handgun after discovering he had been sold a fake firearm. Wilson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun under federal law.

•Wilson killed a man with a modified handgun after discovering he was sold a fake firearm

•The weapon was equipped with a "Glock switch" that converted it to fire like a machinegun

•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

Supreme Court of New Jersey

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

N.J. Supreme Court Reviews Jury Instructions in Murder Case

The New Jersey Supreme Court issued a per curiam decision in State v. Michael Owens, examining whether trial courts must instruct juries on passion/provocation manslaughter as a lesser-included offense without defense counsel's request and whether domestic assault evidence should be separated from murder charges.

•New Jersey Supreme Court reviewed whether trial courts must give passion/provocation manslaughter jury instructions without defense counsel's request

•Appellate Division ruled evidence must "jump off the proverbial page" to require sua sponte lesser-included offense instructions

•Three defendants convicted of double murder and gang charges in June 2021 shooting that killed Saiveon Pugh and Jesse Ransom

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Gang Murder Convictions in Fatal 2021 Shooting

The Georgia Supreme Court on January 5, 2026, upheld the murder convictions of three men who were found guilty of killing two people and injuring two others in a gang-related shooting. Terrence Upshaw, Roderick Glanton, and Homer Upshaw were convicted under Georgia's Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act along with multiple counts of malice murder and aggravated assault.

•Georgia Supreme Court rejected challenges to admission of prior criminal offense evidence under Gang Act

•Travis Smith's murder conviction and life sentence affirmed by Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in 2014 Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Travis Smith in the 2014 shooting death of Cortez Dowell. Smith challenged evidence admission and claimed ineffective counsel but the state's highest court rejected his appeal.

•Smith was convicted in 2014 shooting death of Cortez Dowell and sentenced to life without parole

•Christopher Sellers' life sentence without parole affirmed for 2019 murder of Thedarious Mitchell

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Sellers Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of Christopher Sellers, who was sentenced to life without parole for the 2019 shooting death of Thedarious Mitchell in DeKalb County. The court rejected Sellers' arguments challenging the sufficiency of evidence and jury instructions.

•Georgia Supreme Court rejected challenges to evidence sufficiency and jury instructions

•Georgia Supreme Court affirmed trial court's denial of Murray's motion to withdraw his guilty plea for 2021 murder

Georgia Supreme Court Denies Murder Defendant's Plea Withdrawal Appeal

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a trial court's denial of Cornelius Murray's motion to withdraw his guilty plea for the 2021 murder of Willie Jacox. Murray had argued his plea was not knowing and voluntary and that his counsel was deficient.

•Murray argued his plea was not knowing and voluntary and that his counsel was ineffective

•Florida Supreme Court affirmed denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., sentenced to death for 2015 double murder

Dec 30, 2025•4 min read

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentences for James Terry Colley Jr.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of postconviction relief for James Terry Colley Jr., who was sentenced to death for murdering his estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins in 2015. The court also denied Colley's habeas corpus petition in a Dec. 30, 2025 ruling.

•Court rejected Colley's habeas corpus petition challenging his convictions for killing estranged wife Amanda Colley and her friend Lindy Dobbins

Connecticut Supreme Court

Dec 23, 2025•4 min read

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Prearrest Silence in Murder Case

The Connecticut Supreme Court addressed whether prosecutors can cross-examine defendants about their failure to report self-defense claims to police before arrest. The case involved Joseph Thorpe, convicted of murder after claiming self-defense in a shooting death.

•Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on whether prosecutors can cross-examine defendants about prearrest silence in murder cases

•Joseph Thorpe was convicted of murder after unsuccessfully claiming self-defense in a shooting death