October Term 2009 · Docket 09-338
Can a judge declare a mistrial when a jury cannot agree?
A defendant argues a judge abused discretion by declaring a mistrial. The state argues the judge acted reasonably.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. McGormley argued the case involves habeas relief.
He cited the AEDPA standard for review.
He questioned the Michigan Supreme Court's application of law.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case involves a murder conviction in Michigan. The defendant seeks federal habeas relief. The state defends the trial court's actions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 29, 2010.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the conviction overturned.
the opposing side wants the conviction upheld.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the judge acted unreasonably.
the opposing side argues the judge acted deliberately.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked when the defendant left the room.
Justice Sotomayor asked how the finding supports deliberate action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-21
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of judicial power. It determines when a judge may dismiss a jury. It protects the right to a fair trial.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-21
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.