Decisions

UTSA Research Expands to Examine Juror Decisions: New Insights from Child Witness Studies Led by Rising Scholar

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San Antonio, Texas – At the University of Texas at San Antonio, research in the GROWTH lab is providing innovate insights into jury deliberations involving child witnesses, a topic with limited existing research. Under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Psychology Monica Lawson, Tori Holland’s work is drawing attention and praise. With new funding secured, this pilot study is set to expand and deepen our understanding of juror behavior. Under Holland’s leadership, the lab has previously focused on distilling deliberations of mock jurors from UTSA into meticulously detailed transcripts, noting every gesture and spoken word. … Read more

Dec. 28: A Momentous Day in History Highlights Judicial Decisions, Cinema Milestones, and Major Birthdays

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Today marks a momentous day in history, as we reach the 363rd day of the year 2024 with only three days remaining. This date has been witness to several key events that have shaped our world in various spheres, from groundbreaking advancements in cinema to pivotal legislative enactments. It was on December 28, 2015, when a significant legal decision came out of Cleveland, as a grand jury chose not to indict two white officers in the death of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old Black boy who was shot while holding a toy pellet gun. The decision … Read more

Judge Upholds Guilty Plea and Life Sentence for Oxford High School Shooter, Affirms Decisions Are ‘Right Under Law’

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Oxford, Mich. – In recent judicial decisions, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwamé Rowe rejected two appeals from the individual convicted in the Oxford High School shooting. The court upheld the original guilty plea and sentence, relegating any possibility of a retrial or altered sentencing for the shooter. On Thursday, Judge Rowe addressed the shooter’s request to withdraw his guilty plea, asserting that the plea was entered knowingly, voluntarily, and without any procedural flaw. In a subsequent ruling, the judge also dismissed a motion for resentencing, stating the constitutionality and appropriateness of the life sentence … Read more

North Dakota Federal Judge Criticizes Biden’s Commutation Decisions, Cites Lack of Consultation and Impact on Victims

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BISMARCK, N.D. — This month, President Joe Biden announced an unprecedented act of clemency, commuting the federal sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals. According to the White House, these individuals had previously been transitioned to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and had successfully reintegrated into their communities. However, this sweeping decision has faced criticism from a Bismarck-based judge, adding a layer of controversy to what the administration has labeled as a progressive step toward justice reform. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland, serving since 2002, has voiced significant concerns regarding the lack of consultation with … Read more