September 2011 KSC Docket

Here are the criminal cases on the KSC docket for August 29-September 2, 2011. These summaries are based on the issues listed in the briefs filed and may not very accurately or fully describe the actual issues in the cases. I recommend you review the briefs yourself if you would like more details. Don't forget, arguments are streamed live over the internet at the appellate court website (here) if you would like to listen in to any of these arguments.

August 29--Monday--a.m.

State v. Ranell Turner, No. 102,594 (Sedgwick)
Direct appeal; Rape/kidnapping
Lydia Krebs

1. Improper imposition of life sentence

State v. Steven Hernandez, No. 101,719 (Sedgwick)
Direct appeal; Agg Indecent Liberties
Rachel L. Pickering

1. Improper imposition of life sentence (Bello)
2. Improper verdict forms
3. Failure to give lesser
4. Failure to suppress statement

August 30--Tuesday--a.m.

State v. Perry Parks, No. 101,905 (Wyandotte)
Direct appeal; Felony murder
Carl A. Folsom, III

1. Improper admission of post-Miranda silence
2. Violation of in limine order by officer
3. Denial of right to cross-examine state's witness


4. Improper Allen instruction

State v. Morgan Wade, No. 101.548 (Chautauqua)
Direct appeal; First degree murder
Matthew J. Edge

1. Inadequate answer to jury question on premeditation
2. Failure to give lesser-included offense instruction

State v. Bryan Sprung, No. 99,704 (Cloud)
Direct appeal (petition for review); Agg Crim Sodomy
Lydia Krebs

1. Failure to give unanimity instruction
2. Multiplicity
3. Prosecutorial misconduct (closing argument)
4. Denial of psychological exam

August 31--Wednesday--a.m.

Kenneth Haddock v. State, No. 101,508 (Johnson)
K.S.A. 21-2512 appeal
Elizabeth Seale Cateforis

1. Denial of new trial after DNA testing

Marc Thompson v. State, No. 100,058 (McPherson)
K.S.A. 60-1507 appeal
Meryl Carver-Allmond

1. Ineffective assistance of counsel
2. Improper dismissal of amended motion

September 1--Thursday--a.m.

State v. Alesia Warrior, No. 101,799 (Wyandotte)
Direct appeal; First-degree murder
Korey A. Kaul

1. Improper admission of statements
2. Failure to disclose exculpatory evidence
3. Improper admission of hearsay evidence
4. Improper instruction that trial a burden on both sides

State v. Katreal Harris, No. 101,613 (Wyandotte)
Direct appeal; First-degree murder
Christina M. Waugh

1. Failure to give lesser-included offense isntruction
2. Failure to suppress statements
3. Improper admission of pre-trial identification
4. Failure to grant mistrial during jury selection

September 2--Friday--a.m.

State v. Matthew Astorga, No. 103,083 (Leavenworth)
Direct appeal; First-degree murder
Theresa L Barr (brief); Meryl Carver-Allmond (argue)

1. Improper instruction restricting self-defense
2. Forcible felony restriction vague
3. Juror misconduct (failure to disclose)
4. Improper imposition of hard-50

State v. Daniel Benson, No. 97,905 (Shawnee)
Direct appeal; Felony DUI
Shawn E. Minihan

1. Improper admission of Intoxilyzer evidence (Confrontation Clause)