No. 25-6809
Michael Wayne Keller v. Chadwick Dotson, Director, Virginia Department of Corrections
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: commonwealth-instruction heat-of-passion jury-instruction legal-standard malice-definition trial-court-error
Latest Conference:
2026-04-02
Question Presented (from Petition)
1) Was the definition of malice given to the jury a proper Virginia model jury instruction defining heat of passion?
2) Did counsel for appellant request a proper, specific, and complete jury instruction defining heat of passion?
3) Did the trial court error by allowing Commonwealth Jury Instruction "#14"?
Question Presented (AI Summary)
Was the definition of malice given to the jury a proper Virginia model jury instruction defining heat of passion, and did counsel for appellant request a proper, specific, and complete jury instruction defining heat of passion, and did the trial court err by allowing Commonwealth Jury Instruction '#14'?
Docket Entries
2026-04-06
Petition DENIED.
2026-03-18
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/2/2026.
2026-03-16
Waiver of Chadwick Dotson of right to respond submitted.
2026-03-16
Waiver of right of respondent Chadwick Dotson to respond filed.
2025-08-20
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due March 16, 2026)
Attorneys
Chadwick Dotson
Ethan Padilla Fallon — Virginia Office of the Attorney General, Respondent
Michael Keller
Michael Wayne Keller — Petitioner