James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Apr 28 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2740 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AARON LYONS

The Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Aaron Lyons's habeas petition, ruling that his claim based on the Supreme Court's Rehaif decision was procedurally defaulted. The court held that the legal argument regarding knowledge of conviction status was reasonably available when Lyons pleaded guilty, and he failed to demonstrate actual innocence to excuse the default.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 5:24-cr-00042-MTT-CHW-1 Per Curiam

United States v. York

The Eleventh Circuit summarily affirmed Joshua York's 270-month sentence, ruling that his prior Georgia methamphetamine convictions qualify as controlled substance offenses under the Sentencing Guidelines. The court held that its prior decision in United States v. Kennedy forecloses York's challenge regarding the definition of controlled substances.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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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
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
11th Cir. 3:23-cr-00064-TKW-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Beck

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the drug conspiracy and possession convictions of Philip Beck, Florence Beck, and Joshua Martinez, rejecting challenges to evidence admission and sentencing. The court held that the defendants' confrontation and evidentiary objections were either unpreserved or lacked merit under controlling precedent.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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