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Colorado Court of Appeals upholds conviction in vehicular homicide case
The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Sean Daniel Souders for vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and third-degree assault.
The case stemmed from a fatal accident in which Souders, driving a twelve-ton dump truck, crossed the center line on a curve and collided head-on with a convertible, killing the driver and injuring the passenger. The court rejected Souders’s challenges, which included a Batson claim regarding the dismissal of a juror of color, and evidentiary objections related to expert testimony and probable-cause references.
Souders argued that the prosecution improperly dismissed a prospective juror of color in violation of Batson v. Kentucky, but the court upheld the trial judge’s ruling that the juror’s quiet demeanor was a race-neutral reason for the strike.
The ruling underscores the high bar for overturning convictions based on jury selection disputes, reinforcing the trial court’s discretion in assessing juror demeanor and expert testimony.
Georgia Jury verdicts under scrutiny amid legislative debate
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports ($), Georgia lawmakers are considering reforms to civil-injury lawsuit procedures, with Governor Brian Kemp advocating for changes to curb what are often called “nuclear verdicts” — jury awards exceeding $10 million. The governor argues that such verdicts inflate insurance premiums and burden businesses. However, state court data show that these high-dollar awards account for less than 1% of all injury lawsuits filed in Georgia.
Despite the rarity of these large verdicts, business groups and insurance companies assert that excessive awards are becoming more frequent, contributing to Georgia’s ranking as the fourth “judicial hellhole” in the country by the American Tort Reform Association. One of Kemp’s proposed reforms would allow defense attorneys to introduce evidence regarding seatbelt usagein auto accident cases, which is currently prohibited under Georgia law.
Legal experts note that massive jury verdicts often result from extreme corporate negligence or punitive damage awards designed to push companies to improve safety standards. While largeverdicts garner headlines, plaintiff attorneys argue that they are often reduced on appeal or settled for lower amounts. The debate highlights the complex role juries play in balancing corporate accountability with business interests, making jury trial outcomes a focal point for legal and economic policy discussions.
Upcoming webinar: “Jury Duty Matters: Why Public Education is Key to Community Engagement”
Join us on March 20, 2025, for an insightful discussion on the importance of public education in fostering community engagement with jury service.
Hosted by the New York State Unified Court System in collaboration with Sandstorm, this webinar will explore strategies to improve juror participation, enhance public understanding, and promote the civic duty of jury service.
Expert panelists will share best practices for outreach, messaging, and education efforts that help ensure a diverse and engaged jury pool. Whether you're involved in jury administration, court operations, or civic education, this session will offer valuable insights on strengthening thepublic’s connection to jury duty.