No. 23-266

Javaar Yavonnie Kalem Watkins v. United States

Lower Court: Eighth Circuit
Docketed: 2023-09-20
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: constitutional-error conviction-reversal criminal-procedure due-process jury-instruction jury-instructions reasonable-doubt structural-error
Latest Conference: 2023-10-27
Question Presented (from Petition)

The Constitution requires the Government to persuade a jury "beyond reasonable doubt" in order to sustain a conviction. Over Watkins' objection, the reasonable doubt instruction charged the jury to subjectively consider "life's most important decisions" when considering whether reasonable doubt existed. Was the reasonable doubt instruction constitutionally deficient thereby requiring reversal of Watkins' conviction?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Was the reasonable doubt instruction constitutionally deficient thereby requiring reversal of Watkins' conviction?

Docket Entries

2023-10-30
Petition DENIED.
2023-10-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/27/2023.
2023-09-27
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
Main DocumentMain Document
2023-09-15
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 20, 2023)
PetitionAppendixCertificate of Word CountProof of ServicePetitionAppendixCertificate of Word CountProof of Service

Attorneys

Javaar Watkins
Paul Henry Myerchin — Bormann, Myerchin, Espeseth and Edison, LLP, Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. Prelogar — Solicitor General, Respondent