Michael Mears

September 03, 2024 | Daily Report Online

The aftershocks of the change in the rules of evidence brought about by the Diaz decision will not only be long, but very consequential.

By Michael Mears

9 minute read

February 01, 2024 | Daily Report Online

Since the early days of capital punishment, our nation has moved from the hangman's noose to the gas chamber to the electric chair to lethal injection. Now we are facing a new machine—and a new dissenter on the Supreme Court.

By Michael Mears

7 minute read

May 08, 2020 | Daily Report Online

In the past, Georgia attempted to enact such legislation, but the Georgia Supreme Court, in 2004, declared that the Georgia statute was unconstitutionally vague.

By Michael Mears

3 minute read

June 16, 2016 | Daily Report Online

As an associate professor of law, one of my many tasks each year is to find ways to keep our students from losing sight of their goals. Every semester, however, I see students lose sight of their goal of becoming a lawyer.

By Michael Mears

23 minute read

February 27, 2009 | Daily Report Online

By Michael Mears

4 minute read

December 22, 2008 | Daily Report Online

Paul Kehir died Dec. 10. As a result of his untimely death, our legal and professional community will be greatly diminished. Paul was, as usual, trying cases in Fulton County Superior Court when he became ill. Even though he was very ill, he continued a jury trial to its completion and, after finishing the trial on Nov. 17, he went to his doctor for what he thought would be a routine check up.

By Michael Mears

5 minute read

April 17, 2012 | Daily Report Online

On Jan. 18, 2012 the United States Supreme Court ordered a new hearing in Cory Maples' death penalty case after his volunteer attorneys from the prestigious New York law firm of Sullivan Cromwell failed to file a notice of appeal from an Alabama judge's order in his case.As a result of that failure, the state of Alabama was prepared to execute Cory Maples.

By Michael Mears

28 minute read