Roberson v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

1 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 1 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Under the specific circumstances of this case, however, these are clearly subjective opinions. It is a troubling prospect when the primary evidence is lost or destroyed while in the care of the State, and the State is then permitted to argue that the evidence had no exeulpatory value because government officials "knew" that the device was indeed a weapon. As noted previously, the device was allegedly fabricated from items that Roberson was allowed to possess in his cell-items that have legitimate uses and that are generally not construed as weapons. It is certainly conceivable that had Roberson and the trier of fact been able to examine the device, a different conclusion regarding its intend (sic) use and ability to cause bodily injury might have been reached. Therefore, we conclude that there is some indication that the evidence possessed an exculpatory value that, however tenuous, was evident to the State prior to its destruction. Without such evidence, Roberson is faced with the monumental task of presenting a defense in which he is obliged to accept the subjective opinions of three government officials. Under the specific cireumstances of this case, we hold that it would be fundamentally unfair and a violation of due process to allow the State to proceed in this manner.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Land v. State

2. “two wooden sticks wrapped on the one end and sharpened to a point on the other end,”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Land v. State

3. “secure comparable evidence by other reasonably available means.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Land v. State