Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a death row inmate's habeas corpus petition regarding jury instructions on intent. The court held that the state court did not unreasonably apply federal law in finding the instructions did not violate due process.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a state prisoner seeking relief under the federal habeas corpus statute. The court denied a certificate of appealability because the petitioner failed to make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed a one hundred forty month prison sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm. The court held the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance based on the defendant's repeated dangerous conduct.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a conviction for a felon in possession of a firearm. The court held that binding precedent forecloses a Second Amendment challenge to the statute.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a state prisoner seeking habeas corpus relief. The court denied the petitioner's request for a certificate of appealability because he failed to make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Ernesto Leyva for drug conspiracy. The court granted counsel's motion to withdraw after finding no non-frivolous issues for appeal.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a sentence reduction motion under the First Step Act. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting the defendant's arguments for a reduced term.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of a defendant charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court rejected constitutional challenges to the statute and found no error in the district court's sentencing calculation.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling denying a deputy sheriff's motion to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force. The court held that discharging high-velocity pepper spray directly into a handcuffed suspect's eye from half the manufacturer's safe distance violated clearly established law.
The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal regarding a foreclosure sale because the property had already been sold while the case was pending. The court also ruled it lacked jurisdiction to review a future order that had not yet been entered when the notice of appeal was filed.
