Justia Criminal Law Opinion Summaries

Defendant Jose Torres appealed the denial of his motion for post conviction relief. On appeal to the Supreme Court, Defendant argued that the grand jury indictment wrongly charged him with murder. Although he ultimately pled to a lesser charge of manslaughter, Defendant contended that his conviction should be vacated because of an "inherently flawed indictment"--a defect not waived by his plea agreement. "[B]y voluntarily pleading guilty to a charge that was amended with his consent, [Defendant] waived any argument that the State could not have proven him guilty of murder." The Court affirmed the lower court's decision.

Defendant Gerald Lynch appealed his conviction and sentence on four counts of first-degree sexual assault. At trial after the close of evidence, the state dismissed two counts of Defendantâs indictment, and Defendant moved for an acquittal on the remaining counts. The trial judge waited for the jury to return its verdict before ruling on Defendantâs motion. The jury found Defendant guilty on four counts of sexual assault. The judge then denied Defendantâs motion. On appeal, defendant alleged that, among other things, the trial judge erred in denying his motion for acquittal because the state failed to prove its case against him. The Supreme Court found that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to allow the jury to reach its conclusions and verdict. Finding no error, the Court affirmed the lower courtâs decision.