Justia Rhode Island Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff, holding that summary judgment was appropriate because the mortgage granted to Defendant was discharged by operation of the ancient mortgages statute, Mass. Gen. Laws 34-26-7, well before the commencement of foreclosure proceedings in 2017.On appeal, Defendant argued that it held a valid mortgage on the property on which Defendant commenced foreclosure proceedings. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court, holding that the hearing justice did not err in granting Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment because Defendant’s mortgage on the property was discharged by operation of the ancient mortgages statute before the foreclosure proceedings commenced. View "Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC v. Providence Business Loan Fund, Inc." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court convicting Defendant of first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon in a dwelling house with intent to commit robbery, holding that the trial justice was not clearly wrong when he denied Defendant’s motion for a new trial.After a jury trial, Defendant was convicted. The trial justice denied Defendant’s renewed motion for judgment of acquittal and motion for new trial, in which Defendant argued that the jury’s verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial justice’s denial of Defendant’s motion for new trial, holding that the trial justice did not overlook or misconceive any material evidence and did not err in denying the motion. View "State v. Johnson" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court quashed the order of the superior court denying Plaintiff’s motion for a protective order concerning the deposition of Lawrence Rainey, holding that, pursuant to rule 26(b)(4)(B) of the Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, Defendants failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” to depose Rainey, a nontestifying expert.On appeal, Plaintiff argued that Rainey was a nontestifying expert and therefore may not be deposed absent a showing of exceptional circumstances in accordance with Rule 26(b)(4)(B). The Supreme Court agreed, holding (1) Rule 26(b)(4)(B) is applicable to the discovery issue here; (2) the hearing justice erred in failing properly to apply the Rule 26(b)(4)(B) standard in this case; and (3) Defendants failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” as to why they wished to depose Rainey. View "Sandy Point Farms, Inc. v. Sandy Point Village, LLC" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court quashed the judgment of the superior court that granted Defendant’s application for postconviction relief and reinstated Defendant’s convictions, holding that the hearing justice erred in holding that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in certain respects.The Supreme Court reinstated Defendant’s conviction with respect to aiding-and-abetting counts for felony murder, robbery, using a firearm in the commission of a crime o violence, discharging a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and committing a crime of violence while armed and having available a firearm. Specifically, the Supreme Court held (1) trial counsels’ performance was not deficient in failing to propose aiding-and-abetting jury instructions in line with Rosemond v. United States, 572 U.S. 65 (2014), because that case was inapplicable here; and (2) the hearing justice erred when she held that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence with respect to an aiding-and-abetting theory. View "Whitaker v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court granting summary judgment in favor of Defendant in this construction dispute, holding that summary judgment was appropriate.Plaintiff entered into a contract with a general contractor to construct a facility. The general contractor subcontracted the roofing installation to Defendant. When the roof began to leak, Plaintiff filed a complaint against the general contractor and Defendant, alleging breach of contract, breach of the implied warranty to construct in good and workmanlike manner, misrepresentation, and negligence. The superior court granted Defendant’s motion for summary judgment, holding that Plaintiff was only an incidental beneficiary, as opposed to an intended beneficiary, of the subcontract between Defendant and the general contractor. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the motion justice appropriately granted summary judgment in favor of Defendant on Plaintiff’s claims. View "Hexagon Holdings, Inc. v. Carlisle Syntec Inc." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant’s conviction of one count of first-degree child molestation sexual assault, holding that none of the superior court justice’s challenged evidentiary rulings warranted reversal.Specifically, the Court held (1) Defendant waived his argument that the trial justice erred in allowing testimony concerning other alleged incidents of sexual assault, in violation of R.I. R. Evid. 403 and 404(b); (2) Defendant failed to preserve his objection to the trial justice’s rulings limiting defense counsel’s cross-examination of a witness, and even if the trial justice erred, such error would have been harmless beyond a reasonable doubt; and (3) Defendant waived his argument that the trial justice erred in allowing hearsay testimony into evidence. View "State v. Colon" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant’s conviction of two counts of second-degree child molestation sexual assault, holding that the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant’s motion for a new trial.On appeal, Defendant argued that the evidence presented at trial raised serious doubt about the allegations and that the trial justice overlooked and misconceived material evidence. The Supreme Court disagreed, holding (1) the trial justice conducted an appropriate analysis of the evidence presented, evaluated the credibility of the witnesses, and assessed the weight of the evidence; (2) the trial justice did not err in determining that sufficient credible evidence was submitted to support the verdict on both counts; and (3) therefore, the trial justice did not err in denying Defendant’s motion for a new trial. View "State v. Tabora" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant’s conviction for first-degree child abuse, holding that the trial justice did not err by requiring a licensed clinical social worker to testify about statements Defendant made to her while seeking mental-health treatment.A dispositive issue on appeal was whether any privilege arising from the Confidentiality of Health Care Information Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 5-37.3, is abrogated by R.I. Gen. Laws 40-11-11. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) section 40-11-11 unambiguously abrogates all privileges that might otherwise attach to communications between any professional person and her patient in situations involving known or suspected child abuse or neglect; and (2) this nullification of such privileges in judicial proceedings includes criminal proceedings. View "State v. LeFebvre" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant’s conviction of reckless driving, holding that the trial justice did not commit clear error or overlook or misconceive material or relevant evidence in denying Defendant’s motion for a new trial.In his motion for a new trial, Defendant argued that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to convict him of reckless driving and that the jury did not note the specific location where Defendant’s alleged reckless driving took place. The trial justice denied the motion. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial justice did not clearly err or misconceive material evidence and did not err in denying Defendant’s motion for a new trial. View "State v. Silva" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the superior court dismissing Plaintiff’s probate court appeals for his failure to comply with several court orders, holding that the superior court justice properly exercised his discretion in dismissing Plaintiff’s appeals.Ostensibly acting as successor executor for the wills of two former clients, Appellant challenged probate court orders relating to guardianship decrees. The superior court dismissed Appellant’s five probate court appeals for Appellant’s failure to comply with the court’s orders. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the superior court justice did not abuse his discretion; and (2) because Appellant’s representations to the probate courts, the superior court, and the Supreme Court were not as forthcoming as the rules of procedure require, the case is remanded to allow Defendants an opportunity to file a motion for sanctions if they so choose. View "Malinou v. Neri" on Justia Law