Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal after finding the record insufficient to evaluate a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. The court granted the appointed attorney's motion to withdraw under Anders v. California procedures.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Alton Frank Nichols due to an insufficiently developed record. The court granted the appointed attorney's motion to withdraw after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court judgment finding that a plaintiff failed to prove negligence in a slip-and-fall incident at a CVS store. The appellate court held that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur did not apply because exclusive control over the beverage cooler shelf was divided between CVS employees and third-party vendors.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the defendant's convictions for simple assault and felon in possession of a firearm but vacated his sentence due to a sentencing error. The court held that the district court plainly erred by applying a sentencing enhancement based on conduct for which the defendant had been acquitted.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed a federal sentence for cyberstalking, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court violated the Tapia rule by considering rehabilitation. The court held that the sentencing judge imposed an upward variance primarily for public protection and deterrence, not to promote the defendant's rehabilitation.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal regarding claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The court found the record insufficient to fairly evaluate the defendant's arguments.
The Eighth Circuit enforced an appeal waiver contained in a plea agreement and dismissed the defendant's challenge to his sentence. The court rejected the argument that the district court's failure to explain its sentencing rationale constituted a miscarriage of justice.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by the Federal Public Defender to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
