The Second District holds that when a trial court finds a defendant eligible and suitable for mental-health diversion under Penal Code section 1001.36, requiring a no-contest plea as the price of receiving the same treatment via probation directly conflicts with the statute’s purpose.
The Second District affirms a first-degree murder conviction, holding the trial court had no duty to instruct on attempted murder where the defendant’s brutal attack was a substantial factor in the victim’s death even though the victim had grave preexisting heart and liver disease.
Case His Majesty the King v. Joyce Mwanz Court Court of Appeal for Ontario (Canada) Date Decided May 4, 2026
The California Supreme Court holds that a non-killer accomplice with intent to kill is guilty of first-degree felony murder only if they aided the actual killer in the lethal act itself, not merely the underlying felony — reopening resentencing for many defendants previously denied.
The Second District holds that felony false imprisonment based on menace does not require a threat of force greater than necessary to effectuate restraint — a doctrinal clarification that affirms a domestic-violence conviction.
When resentencing a defendant under section 1172.75, the trial court may reimpose an upper term using aggravating facts the defendant already stipulated to — no new jury findings required.
The Second District holds that hearsay testimony from a preliminary hearing is admissible at a section 1172.6 evidentiary hearing if it qualifies as a declaration against penal interest — affirming denial of a gang-shooting resentencing petition.
The Fourth District holds that an unqualified Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 dismissal encompasses the underlying findings, satisfying section 786(d)’s "dismissed" condition for sealing serious juvenile offense records — but the firearm restriction survives.
The Ninth Circuit issues an amended opinion granting a Rhines stay-and-abey for an Arizona death-row petitioner’s IAC-at-sentencing claim, and remands his Atkins intellectual-disability claim for the district court to address in the first instance.
Case In the Matter of Kevin M. Brill Court Rhode Island Supreme Court Judge Suttell (Donald L. Carcieri, 2003); Goldberg
Case State of Ohio v. Demetreist Gamble Court Ohio Court of Appeals, First District Judge Bock (elected 2020) Date Decided
Case State of Nebraska v. Michael M. Dicken Court Nebraska Supreme Court Judge Funke (Pete Ricketts, 2016) Date Decided May
Case State of Nebraska v. Mariano Flores Court Nebraska Supreme Court Judge Bergevin (Jim Pillen, 2025) Date Decided May 1,
Case Timothy Aaron Covington v. State of Maryland Court Appellate Court of Maryland Judge Ripken (Larry Hogan, 2021) Date Decided
Case Lee Boyd Malvo v. State of Maryland Court Appellate Court of Maryland Judge Ripken (Larry Hogan, 2021) Date Decided
Case Jerome Thomas v. State of Maryland Court Appellate Court of Maryland Judge Tang (Larry Hogan, 2022) Date Decided May
Case Robert Laverne Wittwer v. State of Maryland Court Appellate Court of Maryland Judge Wells (Larry Hogan, 2019) Date Decided
Case State of Louisiana v. Donald Briggs, III A/K/A Donald Briggs C/W State of Louisiana v. Stefan Jermaine Briggs Court
Case State of Washington v. Zachary Gene Boyce Court Washington Court of Appeals, Division III Judge Lawrence-Berrey (Jay Inslee, 2014)
Case State of West Virginia v. Richard A. Hensley Jr. Court Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Judge Ewing
Case State v. William Gilbert Court Rhode Island Supreme Court Judge Suttell (Donald L. Carcieri, 2003) Date Decided April 30,
Case James Aren Duckett v. State of Florida Court Supreme Court of Florida Judge Per Curiam Date Decided April 30,
Case Lonnie Keith Sorrell v. State of Oklahoma Court Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Date Decided April 30, 2026 Docket
Case State of Idaho v. Koche Roland Alio Court Idaho Court of Appeals (Criminal) Judge LORELLO (C. L. “Butch” Otter,