Update on Trump’s Coup: Do Not Think That This Is Guaranteed to End Well

NEIL H. BUCHANAN

UF Levin College of Law professor Neil H. Buchanan explains why “being patient with Trump” is a recipe for disaster, why there are still reasons to be guardedly optimistic, and why this all could still end very badly. Buchanan argues that the present situation is not guaranteed end badly, but he cautions that a Trump coup is eminently possible.

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Collins v. State

Citation: 2020 Ark. 371

Opinion Date: November 12, 2020

Judge: Womack

Areas of Law: Criminal Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's convictions, holding that no prejudicial error occurred during the proceedings below. Defendant was convicted of capital murder and aggravated assault. On appeal, Defendant argued that the circuit court erred in denying his motion for directed verdict and in admitting autopsy photographs after he offered to stipulate the cause of death. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) substantial evidence supported Defendant's conviction; and (2) the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the autopsy photographs to aid the jury in understanding the nature and degree of the injuries the victims sustained and corroborated witness testimony. The Supreme Court remanded the case to the circuit court with directions to correct two clerical errors found in the sentencing order.

Flow v. State

Citation: 2020 Ark. 370

Opinion Date: November 12, 2020

Judge: Wynne

Areas of Law: Criminal Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the trial court denying Defendant's pro se petition for a writ of error coram nobis, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying relief. Defendant pleaded guilty pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1977), to second-degree sexual assault. In his coram nobis petition, Defendant argued that his guilty plea was coerced. The trial court denied issuance of the writ. The Supreme Court denied relief, holding that the trial court did not clearly err when it gave greater weight to the testimony of Defendant's counsel and did not abuse its discretion when it denied Defendant's petition for coram nobis relief.