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Scottie Bernard Shaver v. Russ Rurka, Acting Warden

IFP petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, No. 25-1238 · judgment August 6, 2025


Certiorari denied · June 22, 2026

Question presented

(I) DID THE STATE TRIAL JUDGE DISPLAY JUDICIAL BIAS WHEN HE CREATED A BRUTON VIOLATION DURING THE SECOND TRIAL VIOLATING PETITIONER'S SIXTH AMEND RIGHT TO CONFRONTATION? (ID WERE PETITIONER'S CROSS EXAMINATION RIGHTS VIOLATED WHEN ANOTHER WITNESS TESTIFIED TO DR. MILLARD'S CHANGES IN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE WHERE DR. MILLARD DID NOT TESTIFY? (Ill) WERE PETITIONER'S RIGHTS VIOLATED WHEN THE STATE WITHHELD CRUCIAL EVIDENCE PERTAINING TO HIS GUILT OR PUNISHMENT UNDER BRADY V MARYLAND? (IV) WAS DEFENSE COUNSEL CONSTITUTIONALLY INEFFECTIVE FOR NOT PROPERLY INVESTIGATING PETITIONER’S CASE PRIOR TO TRIAL? (V) DID THE PROSECUTOR PROVE, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, THAT PETITIONER HAD THE NECESSARY SPECIFIC INTENT TO BE CONVICTED OF MURDER? (VI) IS PETITIONER ENTITLED TO A NEW TRIAL BASED ON NEW EVIDENCE OBTAINED BY PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR THOMAS BEREZA, SUPPORTING PETITIONER'S INNOCENCE? (VII) DID THE STATE USE FALSE TESTIMONY TO OBTAIN A CONVICTION VIOLATING PETITIONER'S DUE PROCESS RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL?

Counsel of record

For petitioner
Scottie Bernard Shaver

For respondent
Ann Maurine Sherman
Michigan Department of Attorney General

Case

Conference history
Distributed for 1 conference

Proceedings

  1. Aug 17 2026
    Rehearing DENIED.
  2. Jul 23 2026
    DISTRIBUTED.
  3. Jul 09 2026
    Petition for Rehearing filed.
  4. Jun 22 2026
    Petition DENIED.
  5. Jun 03 2026
    DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/18/2026.
  6. May 26 2026
    Waiver of right of respondent Russ Rurka, Acting Warden to respond filed.
  7. Dec 09 2025
    Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due June 1, 2026)