No. 25-7122

Trina Mae Johnson v. United States

Lower Court: Eighth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-03-31
Status: Pending
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: appellate-review due-process eighth-circuit judicial-impartiality neutrality-requirement sentencing
Latest Conference: 2026-04-24
Question Presented (from Petition)

WHERE THE TRIAL COURT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIED WITH
PETITIONER'S VICTIM, EXPERIENCE AND SUFFERING AND
EXPRESSED A DEEP SEATED FAVORITISM FOR HIM, WAS
PETITIONER DENIED HER DUE PROCESS RIGHT TO BE
SENTENCING BY A NEUTRAL TRIBUNAL?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a trial court's personal identification with a victim's experience and expression of deep-seated favoritism toward the victim violates a defendant's due process right to sentencing by a neutral and impartial tribunal

Docket Entries

2026-04-09
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/24/2026.
2026-04-02
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2026-04-02
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2026-03-19
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due April 30, 2026)

Attorneys

Trina Johnson
Paul Christopher Engh — Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent