Justia Constitutional Law Opinion Summaries

Appellant LaForrest Rush was convicted of malice murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He appealed the denial of his motion for new trial contending the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict and trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed. View "Rush v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Catherine O'Connell was sentenced to life in prison for the malice murder of her adoptive mother. She appealed, contending the trial court erred by denying her "Batson" challenge and granting a motion in limine to bar hearsay evidence of abuse she allegedly suffered in Guatemala. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed. View "O'Connell v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Following a joint jury trial regarding two separate crimes committed on the same night, defendant Martavious Jackson was found guilty of armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Defendant appealed those convictions, arguing he should not have been tried for both crimes at the same trial, the jury array was improper, and the trial court failed to appropriately consider the possibility that defendant was incompetent to stand trial. Finding no reversible error, the Supreme Court affirmed defendant's convictions. View "Jackson v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Following a jury trial, Dasjwan Foster was found guilty of malice murder and aggravated assault. He appealed, arguing the trial court committed numerous evidentiary errors and handed down an improper sentence. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed. View "Foster v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Samantha Latrice Jessie was convicted of killing her newborn son and then concealing his death. Jessie appealed the denial of her motion for new trial, asserting that the evidence was insufficient, her trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance, and her life sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed. View "Jessie v. Georgia" on Justia Law

In 2010, the Department of Transportation (DOT) initiated condemnation proceedings for property owned by Brian McMeans. The condemnation petition named as defendants, inter alia, McMeans, and McMeans Leasing, Inc. (MLI), a corporation owned solely by McMeans. McMeans filed an answer acknowledging that he was the "owner of the property loosely described in" the condemnation petition, and alleging damages of at least $1.3 million. MLI filed an amendment to the answer McMeans filed in order "to provide that said Answer was for [MLI], a corporation solely owned by Brian K. McMeans." This pleading stated that McMeans was the owner of the property, that MLI was a leasehold tenant, and that MLI would sustain damages for business losses resulting from its removal from the property. At the same time, McMeans filed a pleading, "Answer of Brian K. McMeans," in which he alleged damages of at least $1.3 million as a result of lost uses of the property, interruption in his business income, loss of business, and damage to his business in addition to the value of the condemned real estate. Following a hearing, the trial court granted DOT’s motion and struck both pleadings. MLI filed a direct appeal, which was dismissed by the Court of Appeals on jurisdictional grounds because it was not an appeal from a final judgment; McMeans filed an application for interlocutory appeal to the Court of Appeals, which was granted, and he appealed the trial court’s order striking his "First Amendment" to his answer. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial court, holding that it erred to the extent it ruled that McMeans could not plead a business loss based on his failure to include it earlier and that he could not plead a loss from the business he owns and operates on the condemned property. The Supreme Court granted certiorari to the Court of Appeals to consider whether the appellate court erred in its decision. The Supreme Court concluded the Court of Appeals indeed erred in its decision, and reversed. View "Dept. of Transportation v. McMeans" on Justia Law

Following a jury trial, Reginald Ferguson was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the shooting death of Robert Walton. On appeal Ferguson contended that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support the verdict and that the trial court erred by refusing to disqualify the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office from participating in his motion for new trial hearing. Finding no reversible error, the Supreme Court affirmed Ferguson's convictions. View "Ferguson v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Troy Davis, Jr. appealed his conviction for the malice murders of his aunt and uncle. He argued he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Finding no violation of Davis' constitutional rights, the Supreme Court affirmed his conviction. View "Davis v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Franklin Benson appealed his convictions for malice murder and other crimes relating to the death of Leslyan Williams. On appeal, he argued: (1) the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions; (2) the trial court erred in closing the courtroom during voir dire; and (3) that his trial counsel provided constitutionally ineffective assistance. The Supreme Court found appellant's claims of error were without merit, and accordingly affirmed appellant's convictions. View "Benson v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Shawn Currier appealed his convictions for felony murder and related crimes stemming from the death of David Buriles. Among other errors, appellant largely challenged the sufficiency of the evidence presented against him at trial. Finding no reversible error or abuse of the trial court's discretion, the Supreme Court affirmed appellant's convictions. View "Currier v. Georgia" on Justia Law