Minnesota Case Commentaries

Reputation Matters: Minnesota's Upholding of Actual Harm Requirement in Defamation Cases

Date: Feb 24, 1996

Reputation Matters: Minnesota's Upholding of Actual Harm Requirement in Defamation Cases Introduction The Supreme Court of Minnesota, in the case of James RICHIE, et al. v. PARAMOUNT PICTURES...

Expanded Accomplice Liability: Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds First-Degree Murder Conviction

Date: Feb 17, 1996

Expanded Accomplice Liability: Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds First-Degree Murder Conviction Introduction The Supreme Court of Minnesota, in the case of State of Minnesota v. Tommie NMN Atkins,...

Silbaugh v. Silbaugh: Establishing the Standard for Interstate Child Relocation

Date: Feb 17, 1996

Silbaugh v. Silbaugh: Establishing the Standard for Interstate Child Relocation Introduction The case of Meredith Louise Silbaugh v. John Gerald Silbaugh, decided by the Supreme Court of Minnesota on...

Successor Judge Authority to Reconsider Predecessor Rulings: KORNBERG v. KORNBERG Analysis

Date: Jan 20, 1996

Successor Judge Authority to Reconsider Predecessor Rulings: KORNBERG v. KORNBERG Analysis Introduction The case In re the Marriage of Lela Diane Kornberg v. Harvey Kornberg (542 N.W.2d 379, Supreme...

Affirmation of Multiple Convictions in State of Minnesota v. Cole: Interpretation of Felony Murder and Conviction Consistency

Date: Jan 6, 1996

Affirmation of Multiple Convictions in State of Minnesota v. Cole: Interpretation of Felony Murder and Conviction Consistency Introduction In the landmark case of State of Minnesota v. Phillip Lewis...

Affirmation of Smith’s Conviction: Prosecutorial Duties and Sentencing Discretion under Minnesota Law

Date: Jan 6, 1996

Affirmation of Smith’s Conviction: Prosecutorial Duties and Sentencing Discretion under Minnesota Law Introduction The case of State of Minnesota v. Carlos Orlando Smith (541 N.W.2d 584) was...

Multiple Sentencing Permitted Under Minn. Stat. §609.035: Analysis of STATE v. Bookwalter

Date: Dec 9, 1995

Multiple Sentencing Permitted Under Minn. Stat. §609.035: Analysis of STATE v. Bookwalter Introduction STATE of Minnesota v. Thomas Joseph Bookwalter, 541 N.W.2d 290 (1995), is a landmark decision by...

Affirmation of State's Burden in First-Degree Murder and Upholding Domestic Abuse Homicide Statute in State v. Auchampach

Date: Dec 2, 1995

Affirmation of State's Burden in First-Degree Murder and Upholding Domestic Abuse Homicide Statute in State of Minnesota v. William J. Auchampach, Jr. Introduction State of Minnesota v. William J....

Proximate Cause and Summary Judgment in Snowmobile Accident: Supreme Court of Minnesota Decision in Lubbers v. Anderson

Date: Nov 18, 1995

Proximate Cause and Summary Judgment in Snowmobile Accident: Supreme Court of Minnesota Decision in Lubbers v. Anderson Introduction The case of Shawn Lubbers et al. v. Greg Anderson, Richard...

Use of Anonymous Juries in High-Stakes Criminal Cases: Implications from STATE of Minnesota v. A.C. Ford, Jr.

Date: Nov 16, 1995

Use of Anonymous Juries in High-Stakes Criminal Cases: Implications from STATE of Minnesota v. A.C. Ford, Jr. Introduction The case of STATE of Minnesota v. A.C. Ford, Jr. (539 N.W.2d 214)...

Ambiguity in Municipal Bond Agreements Affirmed: Bondholder Rights in In re Hennepin County Recycling Bond Litigation

Date: Nov 10, 1995

Ambiguity in Municipal Bond Agreements Affirmed: Bondholder Rights in In re Hennepin County Recycling Bond Litigation Introduction In the landmark case of In re Hennepin County 1986 Recycling Bond...

Sanction for Spoliation of Evidence in Product Liability: PATTON v. NEWMAR CORP.

Date: Sep 30, 1995

Sanction for Spoliation of Evidence in Product Liability: PATTON v. NEWMAR CORP. Introduction Mary Patton et al. v. Newmar Corporation, 538 N.W.2d 116 (Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1995), presents a...

Critical Impact of Evidence Suppression: An Analysis of STATE v. ZANTER

Date: Sep 21, 1995

Critical Impact of Evidence Suppression: An Analysis of STATE v. ZANTER Introduction State of Minnesota v. Stephan James Zanter is a pivotal case adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Minnesota on...

Supreme Court of Minnesota Establishes Duty to Defend in Environmental Contamination Cases

Date: Sep 8, 1995

Supreme Court of Minnesota Establishes Duty to Defend in Environmental Contamination Cases Introduction The case of SCSC Corp. v. Allied Mutual Insurance Company et al. (536 N.W.2d 305) addressed...

Establishing Intent and Upholding Felony Murder: Comprehensive Analysis of State v. Koskela

Date: Sep 2, 1995

Establishing Intent and Upholding Felony Murder: Comprehensive Analysis of State v. Koskela Introduction State of Minnesota v. Eric William Koskela (536 N.W.2d 625) is a landmark case adjudicated by...

Reaffirmation of Digital Penetration as an Overt Act in MID Commitments: Knops v. State

Date: Aug 26, 1995

Reaffirmation of Digital Penetration as an Overt Act in MID Commitments: Knops v. State Introduction In the Matter of Dirk Christian Knops, 536 N.W.2d 616 (Minn. 1995), represents a pivotal case in...

Minnesota Supreme Court Establishes Threshold for Age Discrimination Claims in Reduction-in-Force Situations

Date: Aug 26, 1995

Minnesota Supreme Court Establishes Threshold for Age Discrimination Claims in Reduction-in-Force Situations Introduction In the landmark case of Dietrich v. Canadian Pacific Ltd., the Minnesota...

Affirmation of Aiding and Abetting Liability in Circumstantial Cases: STATE v. OSTREM

Date: Aug 19, 1995

Affirmation of Aiding and Abetting Liability in Circumstantial Cases: STATE v. OSTREM Introduction State of Minnesota v. Jason Alan Ostrem, 535 N.W.2d 916 (Minn. 1995), represents a pivotal case in...

Termination of Parental Rights Due to Neglect and Foster Care: In re Welfare of A.D.

Date: Aug 5, 1995

Termination of Parental Rights Due to Neglect and Foster Care: In re Welfare of A.D. Introduction The case of In the Matter of the Welfare of A.D. (535 N.W.2d 643) adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...

Application of Statutory Discharge Criteria in Psychopathic Personality Commitments

Date: Aug 5, 1995

Application of Statutory Discharge Criteria in Psychopathic Personality Commitments Introduction The case of Gordon B. Call v. Maria Gomez, Commissioner of Human Services addresses the critical issue...