James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,517 decisions
Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 0:22-cr-60078-RAR-6 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. WILBER VIGIL-BENITEZ

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Wilber Vigil-Benitez's conviction for murder in aid of racketeering, ruling that the district court's jury instructions on motive and participation were legally correct. The court held that the defendant waived his challenge to the motive instruction by expressly accepting it and that the refusal to give a separate "mere presence" instruction was proper because the aiding-and-abetting charge already covered the defense theory.

Criminal Violent Crimes
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Apr 28 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2260 Panel Decision

COREY R. KENDIG v. NICHOLAS STOLAR

The Third Circuit affirmed a summary judgment ruling that granted qualified immunity to a state trooper who omitted self-defense evidence from a probable cause affidavit. While the court established that officers must disclose known facts showing self-defense negates the mental state of charged crimes, it found the law was not clearly established at the time of the incident.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 8:97-cr-00082-RAL-SPF-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. HAROLD THORNTON

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Harold Thornton's third motion for compassionate release, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding Thornton dangerous to the community. The court held that Thornton's extensive violent history and ongoing threats to prison officials satisfied the statutory requirements to deny sentence reduction.

Compassionate Release Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cr-00050-SDG-RDC-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Byner

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Brandon Byner's 540-month sentence for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion. The appellate court held that the severity of the crimes and the need to protect vulnerable victims justified the lengthy term despite the defendant's history of abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal
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Apr 28 2026
4th Cir. 25-6963 Per Curiam

TONY BRYAN SMITH v. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

The Fourth Circuit denied a certificate of appealability and dismissed Tony Bryan Smith's habeas appeal because he failed to meet the statutory requirements for challenging a procedural dismissal. The court found that Smith did not demonstrate that the district court's ruling on the successive nature of his petition was debatable or that he substantially showed a denial of a constitutional right.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Apr 28 2026
5th Cir. 25-40384 Per Curiam

United States v. Lubiano-Vidales

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to withdraw counsel and dismissed the appeal. The court found that the appointed attorney properly filed a brief under Anders v. California showing no nonfrivolous issues for review.

Anders Brief Criminal
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