Law-Guy: Daily Case Summaries

 HARBISON v. BELL, WARDEN, U.S. Supreme Ct., April 1, 2009
Appointed federal counsel on the habeas in this Tennessee DP case wants to do State clemency proceedings after State court refuses to appoint state counsel on those proceedings. Federal court denies request to expand federal counsel role to clemency proceedings.  US Supremes say she should be appointed.

People v. Chun (2009) , Cal.4th  Cal Supremes Mar. 30, 2009
16 yr old Def is driving around with his home boys, sitting in the back seat.  A shooting war ensues with another car and one of the other guys dies.  Def is tried as adult for special circ murder.  Jury is instructed on 2d deg [...]

Abernathy v. Superior Court (People) (2007) , Cal.App.4th [No. A119308. First Dist., Div. One. Dec. 3, 2007
Def charged with murder with specials. DA has made no declaration re intent w/respect to DP. Def requests daily PX transcript.  Court declines. Writ follows.  App Court says daily is mandatory per statute - no requirement for DA to announce intent [...]

People v. Mendoza, No. S067678 Supreme Court for the State of California
Death Penalty case.  Def engages in domestic terror with wife and kids.  They leave him. Teen girl child discloses that Def Dad has been molesting her. Family then all go to California.  Def freaks and several days later chases down family and kills 3 kids and shoots [...]

People v. Campos (2007) , Cal.App.4th [No. B191256. Second Dist., Div. Two. Nov. 14, 2007
Def convicted of multiple murders with drive by special and various gun enhancements. Def also convicted of attempt murder on surviving victim.  Def gets multiple LWOP sentences.   The surviving victim ID’s def.  The murder weapon is found on Def and he makes [...]

People v. DePriest (2007) , Cal.4th [No. S040527. Aug. 9, 2007
DP case with robbery/att rape as specials.  Jury selection issues-Def exhausted 20 prempts-request for more properly denied; seemingly lame speedy trial challenges are denied-delays mostly occasioned by time consumed in convicting Def for out of state crimes prior to his contested extradition; Good Miranda claim-but [...]