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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Spratley

The defendant appealed a conviction for manslaughter in the first degree, stemming from the strangulation of his live-in girlfriend, Doris White. After her death, the defendant remained with the body for two days before leaving Albany, leading to police discovery of the body and his subsequent arrest and confession. The appeal challenged the trial court's jury instruction, which omitted 'with his hands' from the strangulation description in the indictment, and the admission of evidence concerning the defendant's actions post-death to show consciousness of guilt. The court affirmed the judgment, finding the omission did not improperly amend the indictment or prejudice the defendant, and any error in admitting the consciousness of guilt evidence was harmless.

Manslaughter First DegreeIndictment AmendmentJury InstructionsConsciousness of GuiltHarmless ErrorWeight of EvidenceSelf-DefenseCriminal ProcedureAppeal DecisionAlbany County
References
8
Case No. 06-10-00100-CR
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 19, 2011

in the Interest of D. M. H. and K. M. H., Minor Children

David Len Moulton appealed his murder conviction for the death of his wife, Rebecca Moulton. The primary issue was the trial court's erroneous jury instruction, which included an "asphyxiation by manner and means unknown" allegation alongside manual strangulation and drowning. The medical examiner could not conclusively determine the exact cause of asphyxia, though several options were identified through evidence. The appellate court found that the erroneous instruction, coupled with the prosecutor's arguments, caused harm to Moulton. The judgment was reversed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings.

Murder convictionCriminal appealJury charge errorAsphyxiationManner and means unknownStrangulationDrowningSuffocationDomestic violenceMedical examiner testimony
References
61
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Huffman v. State

Appellant Huffman was convicted of capital murder in connection with the brutal beating and strangulation death of Jeanette Peters during a robbery. Peters' car and other belongings were stolen and later recovered from Huffman after a police chase. Huffman appealed, challenging the sufficiency of evidence for robbery-murder, the admission of oral statements, and a videotape. The court upheld the conviction but, after reviewing evidence from both the guilt and penalty stages, found insufficient evidence to support the jury's affirmative finding on future dangerousness. Consequently, the judgment was reformed from the death penalty to life imprisonment.

Capital MurderRobberySufficiency of EvidenceFuture DangerousnessDeath PenaltyIntoxicationPrior ConvictionsVideotape EvidenceImpeachmentOral Statements
References
72
Case No. W2013-00845-CCA-R3-CD
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 18, 2014

State of Tennessee v. Joseph Caronna

Joseph Caronna, convicted of first-degree murder of his wife Tina Caronna, appealed the judgment from Shelby County Criminal Court. His wife's body was discovered two days after her disappearance in her Chevy Avalanche, with the cause of death determined as asphyxiation or strangulation. Caronna's appeal challenged speedy trial rights, the sufficiency of the evidence, and the admission of evidence concerning financial fraud, family conflict, and an extramarital affair. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no reversible error, noting the overwhelming circumstantial evidence and a confession to an inmate.

First Degree MurderSpousal HomicideAsphyxiationStrangulationCircumstantial EvidenceSpeedy Trial ViolationSufficiency of EvidenceEvidence AdmissibilityFinancial FraudExtramarital Affair
References
88
Case No. 02-19-00206-CR
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 02, 2021

Kevin Wayne Powell v. the State of Texas

Kevin Wayne Powell was found guilty of capital murder for the disappearance and presumed death of his fiancée, Kasey Nutter, who vanished in late 2015. Nutter had been in an abusive relationship with Powell, marked by strangulation and threats to dismember her body. Powell's son testified that Powell admitted to killing Nutter because she wouldn't retract an assault statement, and had dismembered and dissolved her body. The appellate court affirmed the conviction, addressing challenges regarding the sufficiency of evidence under the corpus delicti rule, the denial of a speedy trial, admission of Kasey's out-of-court statements under the forfeiture by wrongdoing doctrine, and evidentiary rulings on prior bad acts and witness impeachment.

Capital MurderDomestic ViolenceDisappearance CaseCorpus Delicti RuleSpeedy TrialForfeiture by WrongdoingHearsayConfrontation ClauseSuppression of EvidencePawned Goods
References
75
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 00827 [158 AD3d 622]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 07, 2018

Matter of Deandre A.

The appellant, Deandre A., appealed an order of fact-finding and disposition from the Family Court, Westchester County, which adjudicated him a juvenile delinquent. The Family Court found that he committed acts that, if committed by an adult, would constitute attempted strangulation in the second degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and attempted assault in the third degree. These findings were based on evidence that the appellant put his hands around a social worker's neck, applied pressure, and covered her nose and mouth, causing pain and leaving marks. The Appellate Division affirmed the order, finding the evidence legally sufficient and the Family Court's fact-finding determination not against the weight of the evidence.

Juvenile DelinquencyAttempted StrangulationCriminal Obstruction of BreathingAttempted AssaultLegal Sufficiency of EvidenceWeight of EvidenceFamily Court AppealAppellate ReviewSocial Worker AssaultCriminal Law
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 18, 1984

People v. De Oliveira

The defendant appealed a judgment from the Tioga County Court convicting him of second-degree murder. The case involved the strangulation death of his wife, Constance De Oliveira, in September 1983. The marriage had been deteriorating, marked by separation and a condition of no sexual relations upon reunion. Evidence presented included the defendant's statements indicating prior knowledge of his wife's adultery, his presence near where her body was found in a rest area, and his inexplicable failure to search Day Hollow Road, which he later suggested as a search location to a co-worker before the body was discovered. The appellate court found the evidence sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, affirming the judgment.

Murder in the second degreeStrangulationCircumstantial evidenceAppellate reviewSufficiency of evidenceMotive and opportunityIncriminating statementsNo-knock search warrantCPL article 690Brady material
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 14, 1984

People v. McRoy

The defendant appealed a judgment from the County Court, Suffolk County, rendered November 14, 1984, which convicted him of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree sodomy. The charges stemmed from the strangulation death of 15-year-old James Richards, who died after refusing the defendant's sexual advances. The defendant confessed to the killing after initially denying involvement and being questioned by police regarding Richards' disappearance. On appeal, the defendant argued his confession should be suppressed as it was obtained during unlawful custody, but the court affirmed the judgment, finding the confession voluntary. Minor trial errors were deemed harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt.

Criminal LawMurderAttempted SodomyConfession VoluntarinessMiranda RightsSuppression HearingHarmless ErrorAppellate ReviewPolice InterrogationSufficiency of Evidence
References
12
Case No. 01C01-9605-CC-00208
Regular Panel Decision
May 22, 1998

State v. James Young

James Clayton Young, Jr., was convicted of felony murder and unlawful disposal of a corpse following the death of Joseph Ladd. Ladd's body was found in a ravine, showing signs of ligature strangulation and binding. Young initially denied involvement but later confessed to engaging in consensual sexual activity with Ladd, then binding and gagging him before strangling him during an attempted sexual act. He subsequently disposed of the body and evidence. The appellate court found multiple errors, including issues with expert medical testimony, the admission of a redacted audio recording of Young's statement, lay witness opinion testimony, and prosecutorial comments, which cumulatively warranted a reversal and remand for a new trial.

Criminal LawFelony MurderRapeAttempted RapeStrangulationEvidence SufficiencyJury UnanimityAdmissibility of EvidenceExpert WitnessLay Witness Testimony
References
120
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Trevino v. State

Joe Mario Trevino, Jr. appealed his capital murder conviction and death sentence for the 1983 strangulation, rape, and robbery of Blanche Miller. The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas considered multiple points of error, including the trial court's refusal to admit a psychological assessment of the appellant, alleged jury selection biases (exclusion of black jurors, general jury composition), restrictions on voir dire questioning, and challenges to the constitutionality of the capital murder statute. The court also reviewed the denial of motions to quash the indictment and special jury instructions regarding mitigating circumstances like youth. Ultimately, finding no reversible error, the Court affirmed the trial court's judgment.

Capital MurderDeath PenaltyCriminal AppealVoir DireJury SelectionEvidence AdmissibilityPsychological AssessmentMitigating FactorsYouthful OffenderConfession Voluntariness
References
44
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