Latest Case: State v. Kirkland (Civil Rights)

Don’t Blame the SCOTUS DACA Ruling for Difficulties Undoing Trump’s Damage

MICHAEL C. DORF

Cornell law professor Michael C. Dorf responds to claims that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last term invalidating the Trump administration’s effort to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program license President Trump to take actions that will be difficult for a future Democratic administration to undo. Dorf argues that characterizing the ruling as a win for Trump and his executive power is far-fetched, and we should instead be concerned with the long-lasting damage to the environment and our nation’s foreign policy caused by the Trump administration.

Read More

State v. Kirkland

Citation: 2020-Ohio-4079

Opinion Date: August 18, 2020

Judge: Judith L. French

Areas of Law: Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the trial court sentencing Defendant to death for the aggravated murders of Casonya C. and Esme K., holding that there was no prejudicial error in the proceedings below. Defendant was found guilty of two aggravated murders and sentenced to death for each aggravated murder. The Supreme Court later vacated the death sentences and remanded the case to the trial court for resentencing. On remand, the trial court again sentenced Defendant to death for the aggravated murders of Casonya and Esme. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the trial court did not err by denying Defendant's request for individual sequestered voir dire; (2) the trial court did not commit an obvious error in failing to dismiss a prospective juror sua sponte; (3) Defendant did not receive ineffective assistance of counsel during the resentencing hearing; (4) any error with respect to the prosecutor's comments during closing arguments did not prejudicially affect Defendant's substantial rights; and (5) the death sentences in this case were proportionate and appropriate.