Search results for Commonwealth V. Knight-Walker

Search & Seizure – Officer didn’t improperly extend traffic stop

The court of appeals of Virginia reversed a ruling that an officer impermissibly extended a traffic stop during a 12-second inquiry about weapons and drugs. The post Search & S...

Traffic stop questions didn’t violate Fourth Amendment

The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled that a 12-second police questioning during a Newport News traffic stop did not violate the Fourth Amendment. The post Traffic stop questions did...

Criminal – Wealth of evidence supports firearm possession conviction

Where the defendant told law enforcement where to find a firearm in the house, it was found in the location he identified, his fingerprints were on the ammunition magazine and […]...

Defense seeks to toss top murder charge against driver in deadly chase that killed Rutland officer

Massachusetts Denial of Gun Rights Restoration Reversed by Appellate Court

From In the Matter of K.P., decided June 26, 2024 by the Massachusetts District Court Appellate Division (Judge Thomas L.… The post Massachusetts Denial of Gun Rights Restoration R...

Criminal – Evidence supports conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon

The Mecklenburg County circuit court affirmed Nathaniel Junius Boyd-Goode's conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon under Code § 18.2-308.2. The post Criminal – Evidence...

Criminal – Evidence supports firearm possession convictions

The Chesapeake circuit court affirmed convictions of Lionel Williams Jr. for firearm possession linked to drug distribution and felon status. The post Criminal – Evidence supports...

Plain Error-Jury Instructions

Parr was convicted for a drive-by shooting in which a passenger in a vehicle fired a rifle, injuring one victim and endangering another. The post Plain Error-Jury Instructions firs...

Search & Seizure – Search of defendant’s backpack was not unlawful

The fredericksburg circuit court affirmed denial of motion to suppress evidence from defendant’s backpack after a lawful terry stop and frisk. The post Search & Seizure – Searc...

Criminal – Defendant was wrongly convicted of two counts of hit-and-run

Where the defendant was convicted of two counts of hit-and-run based on the same accident, one of the convictions was reversed. The circuit court erred when it found that a […] The...

100 mph driver convicted of involuntary manslaughter in deadly Rock Creek Parkway crash

A driver who fled a traffic stop on D.C.’s Rock Creek Parkway and crashed into a Lyft car, killing all three men inside in 2023, was found not guilty of second-degree murder. Na...

Search & Seizure – Warrant allowed search of vehicle within curtilage

Where a man moved to suppress evidence found in a vehicle, his motion was denied. The search warrant allowed law enforcement to search vehicles on the property, and the vehicle […]...

Search & Seizure – Defendant wasn’t entitled to copy of search warrant

The court of appeals of Virginia ruled that Code § 19.2-56(B) requires officers to provide a copy of the search warrant only for a place of abode, not for other locations. The post...

Jury finds man not guilty of 2022 Springfield killing

Judge denies motion to dismiss Waynesboro police officer’s charges

A judge denied a motion to dismiss charges against Waynesboro officer Jacob W. Moore, accused of assault and disarming a fellow officer with a stun gun. The post Judge denies motio...

She Didn't Fire Gun BUT She's GUILTY Of Killing Beloved Fairway Officer

Something that they should probably teach in school but don't . . .Felony murder rules, accomplice liability, or acting as a co-conspirator, where participation in a dangerous crim...

Search & Seizure – Inventory search exception applies to warrantless search

The 4th Circuit ruled that inventory search exception applies to warrantless search of Milton Allen's bags in Raleigh, reversing suppression of evidence. The post Search & Seiz...

Evidence – Court didn’t err in admitting unavailable witness’s testimony

Where the Commonwealth exercised due diligence in its attempts to procure a man’s live testimony for trial, the trial court did not err in ruling him unavailable, and admitting his...

Criminal – Police officer convicted of stealing money from evidence room

The Virginia court affirmed the conviction of Tiffaney N. Bratton for embezzlement of public funds from the South Boston Police Department evidence room. The post Criminal – Police...

Factors Supporting Reasonable Suspicion -Act 79 Searches

Spottswood, on probation for drug-related offenses, was found parked at night in a restricted, unlit area near a park-and-ride lot known for criminal activity. The post Factors Sup...

Criminal- Charges dismissed because of Speedy Trial Act

The henry county circuit court affirmed dismissal of felony indictments against John Antonio Fennell due to speedy trial act violations. The post Criminal- Charges dismissed becaus...

Criminal – Woman ordered to pay victim $4,359.28 for vehicle damage

The circuit court in Carroll County affirmed a restitution order requiring Gloria Ann Fleming to pay $4,359.28 for vehicle damage caused by felony destruction of property. The post...

Criminal – Evidence supports robbery conviction

The Richmond circuit court affirmed Raeshawn Juvon Pettus's robbery conviction, rejecting claims of insufficient evidence linking stolen money to him. The post Criminal – Evidence...

Criminal – Evidence didn’t support voluntary manslaughter jury instruction

Virginia court affirms refusal of voluntary manslaughter instruction in James Ray Williams' second-degree murder conviction due to insufficient provocation evidence. The post Crimi...