State Of Louisiana v. Torrance Verdin

STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST CIRCUIT STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 2025 KW 0827 VERSUS TORRANCE VERDIN FEBRUARY 20, 2026 In Re: Torrance Verdin, applying for supervisory writs, 32nd Judicial District Court, Parish of Terrebonne, No. 20- FELY-809862.

BEFORE: MILLER, EDWARDS, AND FIELDS, Jd.

WRIT DENIED.

BDE WEF Miller, J., dissents. The appeal of this matter was affirmed over the withering dissent of Judge Welch, who was critical of a conviction in the absence of any direct evidence that the defendant possessed an intent to kill, or was the shooter, or was in the vehicle that carried the shooter. See State v. Verdin, 2022-1178 (La. App. 18* Cir. 9/7/23), 2023 WL 5767592, *19-22 (unpublished) (Welch, J. dissenting). Under these circumstances, where trial error was properly raised and identified by the applicant, such errors become more impactful, and hence, in my view, increase the probability that, but for the errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). I also recognize the trial court’s unique position to provide context within this framework ~- which would aid in our review. Thus, I respectfully dissent and I would order the trial court to provide reasons for its ruling pursuant to La. Code Crim. P. art. 930.1. / COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST CIRCUIT vue 4 OKino Prey CLERK OF COURT FOR THE COURT