No. 21-176

David J. Tatara v. Mark S. Inch, Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections, et al.

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2021-08-06
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived Experienced Counsel
Tags: criminal-procedure double-jeopardy due-process felony-murder habeas-corpus judgment-of-acquittal mens-rea superseding-information
Key Terms:
FifthAmendment DueProcess HabeasCorpus JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2021-09-27
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Does a conviction of a crime submitted to the jury through a superseding information filed after jeopardy attached and after the court granted judgment of acquittal on the original charged offenses violate the prohibition against Double Jeopardy?

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED David Tatara stood trial on charges of first-degree felony murder and aggravated child abuse in state court. He moved for judgment of acquittal after the prosecution rested. Tatara argued that the State failed to prove the charged offenses because the evidence was insufficient to prove aggravated battery, the predicate offense for the felony murder charge. The court announced that it would grant his motion. In granting the motion, the court expressed its belief that the evidence as to both offenses was insufficient. The trial court also advised the jury that it had made a legal ruling that would obviate the need to consider the two charged offenses. However, instead of concluding the proceedings after acquitting Tatara, the court permitted the State to file a new Information containing a previously uncharged crime—second-degree murder—that contained a new mens rea element—depraved mind. The trial court submitted the case to the jury the next day. The jury convicted Tatara of second-degree murder. After exhausting his state court remedies, Tatara petitioned the federal courts for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, arguing that his conviction violated due process and the prohibition against Double Jeopardy. 1. Does a conviction of a crime submitted to the jury through a superseding information filed after jeopardy attached and after the court granted judgment of acquittal on the original charged offenses violate the prohibition against Double Jeopardy? i 2. Does the submission to the jury of a crime containing a new element after the close of evidence violate a defendant’s right to due process? ii

Docket Entries

2021-10-04
Petition DENIED.
2021-09-08
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/27/2021.
2021-09-07
Waiver of right of respondent Secretary, Department of Corrections, Attorney General, State of Florida to respond filed.
2021-08-04
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 7, 2021)

Attorneys

David J. Tatara
Andrew Brooks GreenleeAndrew B. Greenlee, P.A., Petitioner
Andrew Brooks GreenleeAndrew B. Greenlee, P.A., Petitioner
Secretary, Department of Corrections, Attorney General, State of Florida
Kellie A. Nielan — Respondent
Kellie A. Nielan — Respondent