90 results for 'court:"Arkansas Supreme Court"'.
Per curiam, the Arkansas Supreme Court has determined the exercise of superintending authority may be appropriate as to the request for removal of the trial judge in the underlying matter. The record shows the judge may have acted in ways that do not promote confidence in the judiciary and has possibly not been impartial.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 13, 2024, Case #: CV-24-295, Categories: Administrative Law, Judiciary
J. Womack finds the circuit court properly denied the petition for habeas corpus. Defendant argues his rape conviction is illegal, claiming there are inconsistencies in the judgment and commitment order, as well as in the docket entries. The alleged inconsistences consist only of discrepancies in the offense date. Docket entries recorded by various court clerks have no bearing on the facial legality of a judgment or jurisdiction. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Womack , Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: CV-23-720, Categories: Habeas, Sex Offender, Due Process
J. Webb finds the circuit court properly dismissed the inmate's petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The inmate alleges the trial court lacked jurisdiction because no record evidence shows he pleaded guilty to a charge of illegal firearm possession. The inmate was found guilty for first-degree murder and the sentencing order recited he pleaded guilty to the firearm charge, the shorter sentence for which is being served concurrently with that for the murder conviction. The petition is time-barred. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb, Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: CV-23-721, Categories: Firearms, Habeas, Murder
J. Hudson finds the county court properly denied the inmate's petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Defendant was convicted for battery and committing a terroristic act for firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle, causing injury. Though sufficient evidence supports the convictions, defendant says the presiding special judge was not properly appointed, and also makes double jeopardy claims. Defendant offers no evidence the judge's appointment failed to comply with procedure, and a challenge to the appointment of a special judge is not cognizable in habeas proceedings. The acts of firing the weapon multiple times and the result of the victim being injured are legally separate charges, and double jeopardy does not apply. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hudson , Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: CV-23-633, Categories: Habeas, Battery, Terrorism
J. Hudson finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for capital murder, aggravated residential burglary, robbery and theft. Defendant was arrested after DNA evidence showed he was involved in an apartment break-in and murder. The court properly denied defendant's motion to exclude officer testimony involving fresh blood drops she saw that dried before being taken as evidence. Defendant thoroughly impeached the witness, and the jury was free to determine the weight held by the officer's testimony. The testimony was properly admitted, as the officer's opinion was based on her experience as a crime-scene specialist. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hudson , Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: CR-23-710, Categories: Burglary, Evidence, Murder
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J. Webb finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for murder, rape and abuse of a corpse. The suffocated victim was found wrapped in a bedspread on the side of the road with injuries indicating the victim had been beaten and sexually assaulted. An investigation revealed the victim had been in a relationship with defendant, leading to a warrant to search the home where signs of a struggle and blood spatter were found, along with pillow shams matching the bedspread in which the victim was wrapped. Defendant's DNA found on a cigarette butt near the victim's body, as well as the victim's DNA found in the trunk of defendant's vehicle support the conviction. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb , Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: CR-23-745, Categories: Evidence, Murder, Sex Offender
J. Kemp finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for capital murder and aggravated robbery, sentencing him to life plus 40 years in prison. A homeowner called her husband about a suspicious person at the house and the husband, on his way home, found a body in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. Police dash cam recorded defendant escaping in the victim's truck, and the victim's DNA was discovered on defendant's bloody pants when he was later arrested on multiple warrants. Defendant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence. Certain evidence was properly admitted as cumulative of other evidence admitted at trial, and Ring camera photos of the truck were properly authenticated by detective testimony. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Kemp , Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: CR-23-574, Categories: Evidence, Murder, Due Process
J. Webb answers the federal district court's certified question regarding Arkansas code addressing employee firearm possession on an employer's property. The Union Pacific employee's truck caught fire, revealing he had a gun inside, against Union Pacific's rules. Though the gun was properly locked and out of plain view, in compliance with the law, the employee was suspended for the company violation. Arkansas changed its law regarding weapons concealment and asked Union Pacific for clarification of its position in light of the change. The Arkansas code is not dependent on liability immunity provisions. If the employer immunity provision is preempted by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, the Arkansas Code is not likewise preempted.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb , Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: CV-23-653, Categories: Constitution, Employment, Firearms
J. Wood finds the circuit court properly disqualified defense counsel from the underlying incest and sexual assault of a child case. The attorney and his firm were disqualified because one of the firm's attorneys had worked as a deputy prosecutor on a matter involving the same alleged victim and defendant. No timely screening of the attorney was made and prompt notice was not provided. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Wood , Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: CR-23-630, Categories: Due Process, Attorney Discipline
J. Womack finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for aggravated residential burglary, theft of property and capital murder. Defendant murdered the owner of the house he was living in after the owner kicked him out for beating his estranged girlfriend. DNA evidence supports the conviction. The probative value of evidence of defendant's assault on his girlfriend, as related to his intent and motive, was not outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Womack , Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: CR-23-400, Categories: Burglary, Murder, Assault
J. Baker finds the circuit court improperly dismissed the inmate's request for additional DNA testing following his conviction in the "Memphis 3" murder. The circuit court misinterpreted the plain language of the relevant statute, consistent with other law, that “any person...who has alleged actual innocence” is entitled to petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The court erroneously dismissed the petition on the grounds defendant was not in state custody at the time it was filed. Reversed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Baker , Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: CR-22-670, Categories: Dna, Habeas, Murder
J. Womack finds the circuit court improperly denied the remaining plaintiffs-attorneys' petition for declaratory judgment. The attorneys, as officers of the court, seek to carry guns in court. As officers of the court, according to the clear language of amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution, the attorneys are allowed to carry guns in courthouses. The Arkansas Supreme Court distinguished courtrooms from courthouses because the General Assembly distinguished them in the section being interpreted, not considering courthouses and courtrooms the same. Courtroom-specific claims may proceed. Reversed in part.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Womack , Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: CV-23-477, Categories: Constitution, Firearms, Attorney Discipline
J. Hudson finds the circuit court properly denied defendant's petition for writ of mandamus seeking to withdraw his guilty plea for his conviction on a charge of attempting to furnish a prohibited article into a correctional facility. Separate from his murder, assault, burglary and kidnapping charges, defendant attempted to introduce a cell phone battery into his jail cell while awaiting trial. After a guilty plea conviction, the conviction and sentence cannot be modified. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hudson , Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: CR-23-646, Categories: Sentencing, Smuggling, Plea
J. Kemp finds the circuit court properly denied defendant's petitions for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and for extraordinary writs. Defendant was sentenced to 72 months in prison on his no-contest plea conviction on sexual assault charges. He does not plead the facial invalidity of the judgment or the trial court’s lack of jurisdiction, as necessary, having not pleaded his actual innocence. Defendant has not properly alleged illegal detainment. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Kemp , Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: CR-22-450, Categories: Sentencing, Sex Offender, Plea
J. Baker finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for murder. Defendant was taken into custody after having been identified as a suspect. She was found with the murder weapon, Mirandized and admitted she had been in an argument with the victim because he had allegedly struck her 14-year-old son. Sufficient evidence, including surveillance video and clothing worn by the assailant in the video found at defendant's home, support the conviction. Though it was later found a juror's sister worked for the defense attorney, no evidence shows the juror and attorney knew each other. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Baker , Filed On: April 11, 2024, Case #: CR-23-602, Categories: Evidence, Jury, Murder
J. Wood finds the circuit court improperly found for an unsuccessful applicant for a medical marijuana cultivation license. The applicant sought to have a licensee stripped of his license, arguing his application did not comply with merit selection criteria. The challenged licensee was not named as a defendant or joined as a party in the suit. The circuit court erroneously denied his motion to enter the case, as he is an indispensable party. Reversed in part.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Wood , Filed On: April 11, 2024, Case #: CV-22-739, Categories: Agriculture, Licensing, Due Process
J. Webb finds the circuit court properly denied defendant's pro se writ of habeas corpus, in which he argues his life sentence, imposed when he was convicted of capital murder at 19 years old, is cruel and unusual punishment. Though he says certain case law should be applied in an individualized manner, arguing there is no neurotypical distinction between a juvenile teenager and nonjuvenile teenager, the sentence is not illegal on its face. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb , Filed On: April 11, 2024, Case #: CV-23-552, Categories: Constitution, Juvenile Law, Murder
J. Hudson finds the trial court properly dismissed the voter advocacy group's complaint for declaratory relief. The group says voting machines used by the state are noncompliant because the voter cannot independently verify selections on the ballot prior to casting a vote. Testimony introduced at the hearing established the voter has the opportunity to review his or her selections on a summary screen. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hudson , Filed On: April 4, 2024, Case #: CV-23-755, Categories: Administrative Law, Constitution, Elections
J. Hudson finds the trial court properly struck the complaint, finding the attorney is a necessary witness. The department of finance and administration declined a trade-in tax credit on vehicles transferred to the company after they were purchased by individuals with company funds. The attorney representing the vehicle purchasers was in involved in the original scheme, and the trial court properly applied all tests in determining he is disqualified. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hudson , Filed On: April 4, 2024, Case #: CV-23-59, Categories: Fraud, Tax, Attorney Discipline
J. Webb finds the trial court properly found for the state on a concealed carry license holder's claim he is entitled to carry a firearm into the university's on-campus arena. Though the licensee correctly notes state law provides that prohibition of concealed carry on a premises covered by an alcohol permit “does not apply if the place is [a] public university," the code is limited to the location and readability of the notice of prohibition. The arena is covered by an alcohol permit and has provided the requisite, readable notice. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb , Filed On: April 4, 2024, Case #: CV-23-518, Categories: Administrative Law, Education, Firearms
J. Baker finds the circuit court improperly found for a Ford dealership. A financial audit revealed tax payment discrepancies, as well as incorrect usage of license tags. Though it is true “a vehicle may be involved in many transactions... [triggering] sales tax liability,” the dealer's allowing certain vehicles for business use by individuals, not being a transaction, and thus not triggering tax liability, is incorrect. The court applied the wrong standard of review. Reversed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Baker , Filed On: March 28, 2024, Case #: CV-23-450, Categories: Licensing, Tax, Business Practices
J. Webb finds the circuit court properly dismissed taxpayers' illegal exaction class action alleging constitutional violations involving tax assessment definitions as applied to disabled people and senior citizens. The taxpayers did not exhaust administrative remedies and the court properly dismissed the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb , Filed On: March 28, 2024, Case #: CV-23-326, Categories: Tax, Jurisdiction, Class Action
J. Webb finds the circuit court properly found in favor of the state of Arkansas on constitutional claims filed by an involuntarily civilly committed psychiatric patient who was found to be in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop. His commitment was based on his dangerous and reckless use of a firearm. In Arkansas, only felons convicted of non-gun-related and nonviolent crimes may have their gun rights restored. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Webb , Filed On: March 28, 2024, Case #: CV-23-349, Categories: Constitution, Health Care, Firearms
J. Hiland finds the circuit court properly denied defendant's petition for postconviction relief. Defendant was convicted for murder, aggravated robbery, and a firearm enhancement, receiving sentences of life, 35 years and 15 years. The 35-year sentence for aggravated robbery is within statutory guidelines and not unconstitutional. Although no written instruction deleting the life sentence option was proffered, trial counsel made a sufficient enough record to preserve the argument, and claims of ineffective assistance fail. The jury did not enter a life sentence on the aggravated-robbery charge, and there is no evidence showing a different instruction would have resulted in a different sentence. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hiland , Filed On: March 14, 2024, Case #: CR-23-354, Categories: Constitution, Murder, Sentencing
J. Wood finds the circuit court properly denied the landowners' petition for a writ of mandamus challenging the county's tax assessment. The county, after a certain time of assessing the owner's timberland as agricultural without structures, learned of a structure that had been built and increased the taxes. The owner's husband represented her without authorization to practice law and, therefore, the petition is a nullity as to her claims. The husband also has not exhausted his administrative remedies. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Wood , Filed On: March 7, 2024, Case #: CV-23-511, Categories: Administrative Law, Remedies, Tax
J. Baker finds the circuit court improperly reduced the restored building owner's tax obligation to $0. The Department of Arkansas Heritage issued a $125,000 state income tax credit to the owner, who used a portion to pay certain taxes, then sought review of the assessor's adjustment. The circuit court concluded that certain statutes regarding the limits of a rehabilitation credit conflict and ordered the tax obligation reduced to $0, allowing the owner to carry forward the unused portion of the credit for five years. The court incorrectly determined the credit must be applied after apportionment and erroneously determined the statutes conflict. Reversed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Baker , Filed On: March 7, 2024, Case #: CV-23-412, Categories: Administrative Law, Construction, Tax
J. Hiland finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for domestic battery based on sufficient evidence. Defendant's fiancé's toddler, who was found unconscious while with defendant, suffered a severe brain bleed, which led to the diagnosis of physical child abuse. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Hiland , Filed On: February 22, 2024, Case #: CR-23-603, Categories: Evidence, Domestic Violence, Child Victims
J. Kemp finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for two counts of first-degree murder. Officers responded to a call by a victim's son when he discovered his mother and defendant's father dead from gunshot wounds. The father's body appeared to officers to be posed with a gun in its hand, though it was later confirmed he had been shot six times by that very gun. Furthermore, the trial court properly rejected proffered instructions on justification and kidnapping because there was no evidence defendant reasonably believed the victims were about to commit a felony with force or violence, or that his life was in imminent danger. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Kemp , Filed On: February 22, 2024, Case #: CR-23-486, Categories: Evidence, Murder, Jury Instructions
J. Baker finds the circuit court properly granted the department of correction's motion for summary judgment. The inmate, convicted in 1980 for capital murder and rape, sought a declaration he was eligible for parole and asked the court to compel parole. Parole eligibility is based on the number of times a defendant has been convicted for felonies. Because defendant committed attempted first-degree murder and first-degree battery while incarcerated, and after a cited statute had been enacted, he became ineligible for parole after committing the last of the four felonies. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Baker , Filed On: February 15, 2024, Case #: CV-23-282, Categories: Evidence, Murder, Prisoners' Rights
J. Baker finds the county court properly found the deceased's will to change the beneficiaries of annuities. The sons argue a recent change in law provides that a testamentary change to an insurance policy or annuity contract beneficiary is ineffective if the change is not made according to the annuity and policy terms, but the law does not state it is to be applied retroactively. The widow also had a vested interest in her husband's annuity when he died, which was before the law's enactment. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Baker , Filed On: February 15, 2024, Case #: CV-23-73, Categories: Family Law, Insurance, Wills / Probate