Anthony Ray Hinton v. Alabama, USSC 13-6440, 2/24/14 (per curiam), vacating Hinton v. State, __So. 3d__, 2013WL 598122 (2/15/13). Docket here. Trial lawyers, listen up. Check your expert witness funding cap before settling for an “expert” you know is sub par. In 1985, managers of 3 different restaurants were robbed and shot—each with two .38… Read more
B. Opinions
Marcus Burrage v. United States, USSC 12-7515, 1/27/14, reversing United States v. Burrage, 687 F.3d 1015 (8th Cir. 2012). Docket here. SCOTUSblog analysis here. The Uniform Controlled Substances Act imposes a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence on a defendant who unlawfully distributes a Schedule I or II drug, when “death or serious bodily injury results from… Read more
Kansas v. Cheever, USSC No. 12-609, 12/11/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing Kansas v. Cheever, 284 P.3d 1007 (Kan. 2012). The Supreme Court unanimously holds that “where a defense expert who has examined the defendant testifies that the defendant lacked the requisite mental state to commit a crime, the prosecution may offer evidence from a… Read more
Burt v. Titlow, USSC No. 12-414, 11/5/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing Titlow v. Burt, 680 F.3d 577 (6th Cir. 2012) When a state prisoner asks a federal court to set aside a sentence due to ineffective assistance of counsel during plea bargaining, our cases require that the federal court use a “‘doubly deferential’” standard of review… Read more
Adoptive Couple v. Baby Birl, USSC No. 12-399, reversing and remanding 298 S.C. 625, 731 S.E.2d 550 (2012). SCOTUSblog coverage here. TPR lawyers, this one is for you. The dissent says the casual reader of the majority opinion could be forgiven for thinking that Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 points to only one sensible… Read more
Giridhar C. Sekhar v. United States, USSC No. 12-357, 6/26/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing U.S. v. Sekhar, 683 F.3d 436 (2nd Cir. 2012) Attempting to compel a person to recommend that his employer approve an investment does not constitute “the obtaining of property from another” for purposes of a prosecution under the Hobbs Act… Read more
United States v. Anthony James Kebodeaux, USSC No. 12-418, 6/24/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing U.S. v. Kebodeaux, 687 F.3d 232 (5th Cir. 2012) The Court holds that the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) applies to a person despite the fact he was convicted (at a court martial), and completed service of… Read more
Matthew Robert Descamps v. United States, USSC No. 11-9540, 6/20/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing United States v. Descamps, No. 08-30013 (9th Cir. Jan. 10, 2012) (unpublished) The Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA or Act), 18 U. S. C. §924(e), increases the sentences of certain federal defendants who have three prior convictions “for a… Read more
