judge stephanie dunn
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Appeals court finds Mesa County judge incorrectly analyzed evidence for second time in sex assault trial
Colorado’s second-highest court concluded last month that a Mesa County judge used the incorrect standard when deciding if a defendant should receive a new trial — even after a prior Court of Appeals decision explicitly ordered the judge to fix his earlier evidence-related mistake. A three-judge appellate panel, by 2-1, believed then-District Court Judge Richard T.…
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Colorado justices say child welfare workers not required to give Miranda warning before interrogating parents
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Monday that child welfare workers are not required to give a Miranda warning to parents before interrogating them in custody, even if the interview or the notes will later be shared with prosecutors and used against the parent at trial. Miranda warnings, named after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court…
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Colorado Supreme Court to review case of spiritual leader found guilty of child abuse
The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will review whether the Court of Appeals correctly overturned a woman’s felony convictions for child abuse resulting in death due to an inadequate jury instruction. Hannah Marshall, 8, and Makayla Roberts, 10, were discovered dead and decomposing in a vehicle located on Frederick “Alec” Blair’s Norwood farm…
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Appeals court overturns $9,150 restitution order after Jeffco judge did not follow law
Colorado’s second-highest court last week overturned an order for a criminal defendant to pay $9,150 to his victim, citing the trial judge’s failure to abide by the legal process for imposing financial restitution. In Colorado, as part of sentencing, judges must consider whether defendants owe restitution to their victims. If so, prosecutors generally need to provide…
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Colorado Supreme Court wary of requiring child welfare workers to give Miranda warnings prior to interrogations
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court seemed hesitant on Wednesday to endorse the idea that child welfare workers must provide a Miranda warning before interrogating a parent in custody, even if the conversation will later be used in a criminal prosecution. The state’s Court of Appeals previously upheld the murder convictions of two men, both…
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Colorado Supreme Court to examine whether portion of anti-SLAPP law is unconstitutional
The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will address whether lawmakers inadvertently violated the state constitution by creating a unique pathway for appeals under a law designed to shield First Amendment conduct from lawsuits. At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to hear a case on appeal. The justices also accepted…
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Douglas County sex offense convictions overturned because judge let biased juror serve
Colorado’s second-highest court last week reversed a man’s sexual assault convictions because a Douglas County judge allowed a biased juror to serve. Jurors convicted Dennis Floyd Ladd of multiple sex offenses in 2022 and he received an indefinite sentence of at least 25 years. During jury selection, his lawyer asked the jury pool if they would…
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Felony child abuse convictions overturned in high-profile case due to instruction error
Colorado’s second-highest court reversed a woman’s felony convictions for child abuse resulting in death last month after concluding the instructions that a San Miguel County judge provided the jury did not include the necessary language. Hannah Marshall, 8, and Makayla Roberts, 10, were discovered dead and decomposing in a vehicle located on Frederick “Alec” Blair’s Norwood…