Explore 16 court opinions on First Degree Murder. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
16 recent cases analyzed in this topic area.
Malicious wounding conviction doesn't qualify for ACCA enhancement
Stevens v. Jurnigan, decided by Virginia Supreme Court on April 9, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The core dispute involved whether a defendant's prior conviction for a "crime of violence"...
CA Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction, Reverses Death Sentence
People v. McCowan, decided by California Court of Appeal on January 13, 2026, resulted in a mixed outcome. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. The California Sup...
Invoking Right to Counsel Invalidates Subsequent Waiver Without Re-initiation
The People of the State of Colorado v. Mario Nicholas Blue, decided by Colorado Supreme Court on December 22, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Colorado Supreme Court reviewed whether a d...
Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms First-Degree Murder Conviction
Joel Armen Underwood, III v. State of Minnesota, decided by Minnesota Supreme Court on August 27, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Joel...
SJC Upholds Murder Conviction, Finds Evidence and Jury Instructions Proper
Commonwealth v. Jason Estabrook, decided by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on August 25, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the convicti...
Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction, Finds No Miranda Violation
State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Erick Dewaun Haynes, Appellant, decided by Minnesota Supreme Court on July 30, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the a...
MN Supreme Court Upholds DWI Conviction, Admitting Prior Offense Evidence
State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Clifford Robert Letourneau, III, Appellant, decided by Minnesota Supreme Court on July 9, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Minnesota Supreme Court aff...
Felony child endangerment conviction affirmed for leaving infant in car
People v. Miller, decided by California Court of Appeal on July 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The defendant, Miller, was convicted of felony child endangerment after leaving his infant...
MN Supreme Court Upholds Warrantless Vehicle Search
State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Jason Turner Johnson, Appellant, decided by Minnesota Supreme Court on July 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the a...
Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction, Admits Prior Inconsistent Statements
State of Iowa v. Jordan Kevin Cole, decided by Iowa Supreme Court on June 27, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Jordan Kevin Cole for first-d...
Florida Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction and Sentence
Glen Edward Rogers v. State of Florida, decided by Florida Supreme Court on May 8, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Florida Supreme Court reviewed the conviction and sentence of Glen Edw...
Court Affirms Murder Conviction, Upholds Admission of Prior Misconduct Evidence
People v. Whipple, decided by California Court of Appeal on May 1, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The defendant, Whipple, was convicted of second-degree murder and assault with a deadly we...
Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Confession Admissibility
People of Michigan v. Montario Marquise Taylor, decided by Michigan Supreme Court on April 10, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Michigan Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals' deci...
Voluntary Intoxication and Specific Intent in Attempted Murder
In Re The People of the State of Colorado, Plaintiff: v. Roberto C. Silva-Jaquez, Defendant:, decided by Colorado Supreme Court on March 3, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Colorado Supr...
Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction, Admitting 'Other Acts' Evidence
State of Iowa v. Ezekiel Kieffer, decided by Iowa Supreme Court on February 21, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed a defendant's conviction for first-degree mur...
Iowa Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction, Affirms Evidence Admissibility
State of Iowa v. Taylor Christopher Smith, decided by Iowa Supreme Court on February 14, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Taylor Christopher...