Stafford v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

5 federal appellate · 38 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 45 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Prior to trial, the State has filed a document entitled Bill of Particulars. In this Bill of Particulars, the State alleged the Defendants should be punished by death, because of the following aggravating circumstances: With reference to Cornel Cooks: 1. The Defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to a person; 2. The murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel; 3. The existence of a probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Cooks v. State · Williamson v. State

2. “"This issue presents a matter of great ethical and judicial concern. The American Bar Association Code of Professional Responsibility specifically prohibits counsel from acquiring an interest in publication rights concerning the matter for which he is employed prior to conclusion of that matter. It is, however, for the Bar to determine the necessity of any disciplinary action pursuant to DR 5-104(B). Our concern in the matter lies in ensuring the appellant's sixth amendment right to adequate representation was protected. "To afford relief to the appellant upon these grounds, it must be established that an actual, not a possible , conflict of interest existed. Cuyler v. Sullivan , 446 U.S. 335 , 100 S.Ct. 1708 , 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980). Further it must be established that the actual conflict of interest adversely affected the attorney's performance. Cuyler v. Sullivan , supra."”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 642 So. 2d 494 - Neelley v. State

3. “"Counsel actively sought media coverage during the trial, which behavior prompted the trial court to verbally chastise him on at least two occasions ( 145 Cal.Rptr. at 918 ). In the appellate court's words, '. . . defense counsel engaged in continuous conduct to try the case in the press, regardless of the fact that the trial publicity was injurious to the interest of his client.' 145 Cal.Rptr. at 918 ). "Brewer's [Stafford's attorney's] conduct in the present case was clearly not as egregious as the conduct of Corona's attorney. Throughout the trial Brewer made objections, argued points of law, vigorously cross-examined witnesses and attempted to establish an alibi with witnesses for the defense. Although he agreed to the presence of television cameras in the courtroom during the trial, he did not attempt to try the case to the press."”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 642 So. 2d 494 - Neelley v. State