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STATE OF KANSAS v. CARRODY M. BUCHHORN

Date: 09-09-2022

Case Number: 122252

Judge: PER CURIAM

Court:

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS

On appeal from Douglas District Court

Plaintiff's Attorney: Kris Ailslieger, deputy solicitor general, argued the cause, and Emma C. Halling, assistant district attorney, Kate Duncan Butler, assistant district attorney, Joshua David Seiden, deputy district attorney, Charles E. Branson, former district attorney, Suzanne Valdez, district attorney, and Derek Schmidt, attorney general

Defendant's Attorney:



Topeka, Kansas- Best Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory



Description:

Topeka, Kansas – Criminal Defense lawyer represented defendant with a second-degree murder charge.





This matter involves a child who died unexpectedly at the home

daycare where Carrody M. Buchhorn worked. After the Douglas County coroner ruled

the child's death was instantaneous and caused by a blow to the head, a jury convicted

Buchhorn of second-degree murder. A Court of Appeals panel reversed Buchhorn's

conviction and remanded for a new trial because her trial counsel's constitutionally

deficient performance prejudiced her right to a fair trial. This court granted review.

Justice Wall took no part in this review because of his prior connection with the

case while in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. The remaining six

members of the court are equally divided on how the issues on review should be decided.

We stated the applicable rule in Paulsen v. U.S.D. No. 368, 239 Kan. 180, 182, 717 P.2d

1051 (1986):

"The general rule in this jurisdiction, and elsewhere, is that when one of the

justices is disqualified to participate in a decision of issues raised in an appeal and the

remaining six justices are equally divided in their conclusions, the judgment of the trial

court must stand. [Citations omitted.] See also Kansas Constitution, Art. 3, § 2, which

provides that the concurrence of four justices shall be necessary to a decision."
Outcome:
The court being equally divided, the judgment of the Court of Appeals, the court

from which review is sought, reversing the district court and remanding with directions stands. Buchhorn's cross-petition for review is dismissed as moot.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:

About This Case

What was the outcome of STATE OF KANSAS v. CARRODY M. BUCHHORN?

The outcome was: The court being equally divided, the judgment of the Court of Appeals, the court from which review is sought, reversing the district court and remanding with directions stands. Buchhorn's cross-petition for review is dismissed as moot.

Which court heard STATE OF KANSAS v. CARRODY M. BUCHHORN?

This case was heard in <center><h3><b> IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS </b> <br> <br> <b><h3><i>On appeal from Douglas District Court </i</center> </h3> </b></i>, KS. The presiding judge was PER CURIAM.

Who were the attorneys in STATE OF KANSAS v. CARRODY M. BUCHHORN?

Plaintiff's attorney: Kris Ailslieger, deputy solicitor general, argued the cause, and Emma C. Halling, assistant district attorney, Kate Duncan Butler, assistant district attorney, Joshua David Seiden, deputy district attorney, Charles E. Branson, former district attorney, Suzanne Valdez, district attorney, and Derek Schmidt, attorney general. Defendant's attorney: Topeka, Kansas- Best Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.

When was STATE OF KANSAS v. CARRODY M. BUCHHORN decided?

This case was decided on September 9, 2022.