Cases and Appeals

Chris Nichols:
His conviction on multiple charges related to his stealing and possession of stolen firearms resulted in a sentence about 125 years. This long sentence was mandatory based on the crimes he committed and his prior criminal history. The Court of Appeals sustained the sentence. The Supreme Court has denied review of his case. His sentence stands.

Eric Harris:
He was tried and convicted by a jury of Second Degree Murder after killing his brother Larch. He raised several issues on appeal, but the Court of Appeals denied his appeal. He now has the opportunity to ask the Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals decision and reverse it if there is a mistake. This usually takes close to another year.

Jeremy Bryant:
He pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder in the killing of Narleen Compton of Northport. In a very unusual move, Jeremy Bryant instructed his attorney to withdraw his appeal. We did not object. His appeal is now finished and he is serving his sentence of 234 months.

Dennis Patterson:
He was convicted by a jury on charges of Interference with Court Process and Disorderly Conduct. He represented himself at trial and at sentencing and started the appeal process by representing himself. He filed a direct appeal to the Supreme Court rather than to the to Court of Appeals, but he has been appointed an attorney and is not representing himself any longer. Direct appeals to the Supreme Court are allowed in certain limited situations. The Supreme Court has not made a decision as to whether or not the direct appeal will be accepted.

The appeal process can be a long and tortuous one. The victims and families are kept in limbo all this time, always with the possibility that the whole thing might have to be done over. This is troublesome because the evidence can disappear, witnesses die or recant, the rules change and a myriad of other things can happen that jeopardize the prospects of conviction at retrial. I think the appeal process is far too drawn out. It is an example of a messed up system were victims are forgotten and justice ignored. All in the mad race to make sure the poor defendants are given every break and every opportunity. The thing they never gave their victims. Nonsense.