* Melissa Calusinski's status hearing has been postponed. Judge Martha Pacold made the decision to reschedule initially on Feb. 27th. Due to the ongoing Corona-virus pandemic no further details as to when Melissa's appeal will resume have yet been released-as of April 29th, 2021 The case of Melissa Calusinski, sentenced to 31 years in prison … Continue reading Melissa Calusinski: Status Hearing Set For February 28th.
Melissa Calusinski's post-conviction attorney Kathleen Zellner filed her clients Writ of Habeas Corpus this past Wednesday, March. 27th. Calusinski, currently 10 years into a 31 year sentence for the aggravated battery, and first degree murder of 16-month-old toddler Benjamin Kingan, will be seeking fresh eyes and minds to look into a case that began with … Continue reading Melissa Calusinski Seeks Habeas Corpus Over Death Of Toddler Benjamin Kingan.
Melissa Calusinski will seek relief from her conviction for the murder of Benjamin Kingan, via a Writ of Habeas Corpus, to be filed with a federal courthouse in either Rockford, or Chicago, Illinois. The habeas petition, likely to be filed against Glen Austin—warden at Logan Correctional Institute, where Calsusinski is incarcerated—will seek to dispute the … Continue reading Melissa Calusinski To Pursue Federal Relief Through Writ Of Habeas Corpus
Melissa Calusinski's post-conviction attorney Kathleen Zellner filed her clients Petition for Leave to Appeal yesterday, July 16, with a request for Oral Argument should the petition be granted. Calusinski's previous appeal to the 2nd District Court of Appeals was denied via an unpublished—by the court—opinion dated June 11. The granting of petitions by the Supreme Court of … Continue reading Melissa Calusinski Files Petition For Leave To Appeal With Illinois Supreme Court
Since the ruling by the Supreme Court of The United States last month to deny Brendan Dassey a hearing, the case of Steven Avery has taken on an even greater significance. While Dassey and his attorneys will undoubtedly regroup for a further sortie to overturn his conviction, it is perhaps Avery that holds a more … Continue reading “New Investigation” Taking Place In Steven Avery’s Case As State’s Lack Of Disclosure Called Into Question Once More
*Update: Since the publication of this article, Melissa Calusinski will appeal directly to the Supreme Court of Illinois by July 16th. CJRJ will have updates on Kathleen Zellner's filing to the Supreme Court as soon as they are available. What will be seen by many as a setback, will likely be viewed as par for … Continue reading Melissa Calusinski | The Elephant In The Room
*UPDATE: Since the publication of this article the Court of Appeals has remanded Steven Avery's Motion to Supplement the Record back to the Manitowoc Circuit Court. Zellner is due to file Avery's motion to the trial court by July 6th. For CJRJ's latest on Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey, please link to the following: "New … Continue reading Steven Avery Awaiting Decision By Court Of Appeals On Motion To Supplement The Record.
Wednesday, April. 18th, saw the Oral Argument for Melissa Calusinski held at the Court of Appeals in Elgin, IL. Justices Kathryn E. Zenoff, Mary S. Schostok and Michael J. Burke heard arguments from Kathleen Zellner—representing the defence—and Mary Burns—representing the state. Determining whether a Brady Violation occurred in the state's disclosure of legible x-rays in … Continue reading State Fights For Position Over Brady. Was Evidence Lawfully Tendered In The Case Of Melissa Calusinski?
The 2nd District Court of Appeals yesterday granted Oral Argument in the case of Melissa Calusinski. Once again, Calusinski will have her day in court. Arguments are scheduled for 9.30am on April. 18, in what will be the second case heard that day. Representing Calusinski will be Kathleen Zellner, aided by Douglas Johnson. Due to … Continue reading Court Of Appeals Grants Oral Argument For Melissa Calusinski
Last month, the Court of Appeals of Michigan, voted 2-1 in favour of granting Andrew Joseph Spagnola a new trial. Spagnola was convicted of first-degree child abuse in relation to one of his 11-week-old twin daughters in 2015. Prosecutor's claims, that Spagnola caused his daughter abusive head trauma by either shaking her or banging her … Continue reading Andrew Spagnola Granted New Trial Over Prosecutorial Misconduct In Case Echoing That Of Melissa Calusinski
Criminal Justice Reform Journal 