Justia Rhode Island Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of one count of second-degree murder and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, holding that the trial justice did not err in failing to grant a mistrial and properly denied Defendant's motion for a new trial.On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial justice erred by failing to declare a mistrial and in denying his motion for a new trial. The Supreme Court disagreed, holding (1) the trial justice did not err in failing to grant a mistrial because the grounds for a mistrial that Defendant raised were never articulated before the trial justice; and (2) the trial justice articulated adequate grounds for denying Defendant's motion for a new trial and did not overlook or misconceive material evidence. View "State v. Vidot" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of one count of first-degree robbery and other firearm-related offenses, holding that there was no error in the proceedings below.On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on cross-racial identification and that he was denied his right to due process when the trial court denied his motion to dismiss the State's habitual offender notice. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the trial justice did not err or abuse his discretion in failing to give Defendant's requested instruction regarding cross-racial identifications; and (2) the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant's motion to dismiss the State's habitual offender notice as untimely under R.I. Gen. Laws 12-19-21. View "State v. Hampton-Boyd" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court dismissing Plaintiff's complaint against Defendants - Brown University and two of its officials - seeking damages and equitable relief arising out of Defendants' response to Plaintiff's sexual assault allegations, holding that the trial court did not err.Plaintiff brought his suit pursuant to the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act, chapter 112 of title 42 of the general laws (RICRA) and article 1, section 2 of the Rhode Island Constitution. The hearing justice granted Defendants' motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, concluding that issue preclusion foreclosed the claims under RICRA based on a previous decision of the federal courts and that article 1, section 2 did not grant Plaintiff a private right of action. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the hearing justice did not err in dismissing Plaintiff's complaint. View "Doe v. Brown University" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of two counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault, holding that the trial justice did not err.On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial justice erred by restricting Defendant's right of confrontation and sufficient cross-examination and erred by denying his motion for a new trial. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) it was within the trial justice's discretion to exclude a certain line of questioning on a certain subject; (2) the trial justice did not err by excluding cross-examination with respect to a certain allegation; and (3) the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant's motion for a new trial. View "State v. Chadha" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of five counts related to conduct stemming from a drive-by shooting, holding that there was no error in the proceedings below.Specifically, the Supreme Court held (1) there was no need to reach the merits of Defendant's belatedly raised double jeopardy contention; (2) the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant's motion to suppress an eyewitness identification; (3) the trial justice did not err by summarily denying Defendant's motion to recuse; (4) Defendant was not denied his constitutional right to self-representation; and (5) Defendant's remaining arguments were not properly preserved for appellate review. View "State v. Segrain" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the district court committing Respondent to a residential living facility for adults with developmental disabilities, holding that there was no error or abuse of discretion.The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals filed a petition for civil court certification to retain Respondent, a person with developmental disabilities, in a residential facility. The hearing justice found that Respondent was developmentally disabled and ordered that he reside at a group home. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) Respondent's appeal was timely; and (2) Respondent waived his argument that the district court erred in allowing the admission of testimony regarding Respondent's juvenile conviction, his requirement to register as a sex offender, and other uncharged bad acts committed by Respondent. View "In re J.T." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the superior court's entry of a judgment of conviction and commitment reflecting the fact that a jury found Defendant guilty of one count of first-degree sexual assault, holding that the trial justice did not abuse its discretion.Specifically, the Supreme Court held (1) the trial justice did not abuse its discretion in allowing an expert witness to testify after the State's late disclosure and fashioning a remedy in reaction to the late disclosure; (2) the trial justice did not abuse its discretion when he admitted the expert testimony because the testimony did not invade the province of the jury; and (3) Defendant's remaining argument was waived. View "State v. Sheridan" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of first-degree murder after a jury trial, holding that the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant's motion for a new trial.On appeal, Defendant arguing that the evidence failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim's murder was premeditated and that the State failed to meet its burden of disproving voluntary manslaughter. The Supreme Court disagreed, holding that the trial justice did not overlook or misconceive any material evidence and did not err in denying Defendant's motion for a new trial. View "State v. Avila" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's conviction of one count of driving under the influence, holding that Defendant was not entitled to relief as to her allegations of error.On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial justice erred in limiting her cross-examination of the arresting police officer, that the trial justice erroneously denied her motion for a new trial, and that there were pro of law regarding her motion for a new trial. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the trial justice's limitation of the cross-examination did not constitute an abuse of discretion; (2) there was no error in the trial justice's denial of Defendant's motion for a new trial based on the weight of the evidence; and (3) Defendant's remaining alleged errors of law were waived. View "State v. Ricker" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the family court convicting Defendant of cruelty to or neglect of a child and sentencing her to a one-year suspended term of imprisonment, with probation, holding that a new trial was required.On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial justice erred by proceeding with a bench trial without obtaining a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of Defendant's right to a jury trial and erred in finding habitual neglect in this case. The Supreme Court vacated the judgment below, holding that because there was nothing in the record indicating that the trial justice was assured by Defendant that her waiver of a jury trial was made intelligently and with full knowledge of the consequences of her waiver, the case must be remanded for a new trial. View "State v. Michaud" on Justia Law