inference presumption (Delaware) · Go Syfert
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inference presumption in Delaware

11 Delaware opinions name it 3 courts 1950–2026 5 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Delaware courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (6)

CaseFollowedCited
Baxter v. Palmigianogreen
scotus · 1976 · cited in 2 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2015–2026
2 sentences

2026Ct. May 11, 2018) (quoting SEC v. Graystone Nash, Inc., 25 F.3d 187 , 190 (3d Cir. 1994)); see also Hecksher v. Fairwinds Baptist Church, Inc., 115 A.3d 1187 , 1194 n.8 (Del. 2015) (citing the “prevailing rule that the Fifth Amendment does not forbid adverse inferences against parties to civil actions when they refuse to testify in response to probative evidence offered against them: the Amendment does not preclude the inference where the privilege is claimed by a party to a Civil cause” (quoting Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 318 (1976)); cf. Del.

2015Feb. 28, 2013) [hereinafter Order] (citing Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 318 , 96 S.Ct. 1551 , 47 L.Ed.2d 810 (1976) (noting that it is a "prevailing rule that the Fifth Amendment does not forbid adverse inferences against parties to civil actions when they refuse to testify in response to probative evidence offered against them: the Amendment 'does not preclude the inference where the privilege is claimed by a party to a Civil cause’ ") (internal citation omitted)). .

22
Hecksher v. Fairwinds Baptist Church, Inc.green
del · 2015 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026Ct. May 11, 2018) (quoting SEC v. Graystone Nash, Inc., 25 F.3d 187 , 190 (3d Cir. 1994)); see also Hecksher v. Fairwinds Baptist Church, Inc., 115 A.3d 1187 , 1194 n.8 (Del. 2015) (citing the “prevailing rule that the Fifth Amendment does not forbid adverse inferences against parties to civil actions when they refuse to testify in response to probative evidence offered against them: the Amendment does not preclude the inference where the privilege is claimed by a party to a Civil cause” (quoting Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 318 (1976)); cf. Del.

11
Lee v. Stategreen
del · 2012 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025C. § 221(c) (“If a word used in this Criminal Code is not defined herein, it has its commonly accepted meaning, and may be defined as appropriate to fulfill the purposes of the provision as declared in s 201 of this title.”); Waters, 443 A.2d at 506 (“We hold, therefore, that it was plain and reversible error not to charge the jury as to the commonly accepted meaning of the brief language of § 635(1) under which this defendant was convicted.”). 78 Black’s Law Dictionary 396–97 (5th ed. 1978) (definition of “depraved”); see also Rogers v. State, 41 A.3d 430 (Del. 2012) (“In its initial instruct

11
Plass v. Stategreen
del · 1983 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025C. § 221(c) (“If a word used in this Criminal Code is not defined herein, it has its commonly accepted meaning, and may be defined as appropriate to fulfill the purposes of the provision as declared in s 201 of this title.”); Waters, 443 A.2d at 506 (“We hold, therefore, that it was plain and reversible error not to charge the jury as to the commonly accepted meaning of the brief language of § 635(1) under which this defendant was convicted.”). 78 Black’s Law Dictionary 396–97 (5th ed. 1978) (definition of “depraved”); see also Rogers v. State, 41 A.3d 430 (Del. 2012) (“In its initial instruct

11
Poole v. Stategreen
delsuperct · 2012 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
1 sentence

2024Thus, Amazon seeks to use a rule of evidence to apply an inference or presumption that simply does not exist. 82 See Poole, 77 A.3d at 322-23 (noting that the 2007 amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act did not amend 19 Del.

11
Walker v. Stategreen
del · 2002 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021To rule otherwise, would be tantamount to pulling the adversarial teeth from an effective prosecutor’s mouth in summation.”88 Similarly, in Coverdale v. State, the Court held that the prosecutor’s characterization of defense counsel’s argument as a “red herring” did not warrant reversal because it was a one-off remark, supported by the record, that had “no effect on [the defendant’s] right to a fair trial.”89 86 Id. (emphasis added); see also Walker v. State, 790 A.2d 1214, 1220 (Del. 2002) (“Arguments by the prosecutor to the jury . . . should focus on evidence introduced at trial rather than

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Delaware. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (12)

CaseCitedYears
United States v. Vito Sblendorio green
ca7 · 1987
2 sentences

2022Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 224 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

1994Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v. Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

21994–2022
Johnson v. Armontrout green
scotus · 1988
2 sentences

2022Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 224 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

1994Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v. Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

21994–2022
Melton v. United States green
scotus · 1988
2 sentences

2022Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 224 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

1994Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v. Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

21994–2022
Roy v. United States green
scotus · 1988
2 sentences

2022Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 224 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

1994Nevertheless, “unless the prosecutor’s comment uses the defendant’s privilege as evidence against him, it is not objectionable.” U.S. v. Sblendorio, 7th Cir., 830 F.2d 1382 , 1391 (1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1068 , 108 S.Ct. 1034 , 98 L.Ed.2d 998 (1988).

21994–2022
Flamer v. State green
del · 1967
2 sentences

1973The defendant makes two inter-related arguments: (1) The case of Flamer v. State, Del.Supr., 227 A.2d 123 (1967) controls and the complicity test there prescribed has not been met; and (2) the case was tried before the circumstantial evidence rule was modified by this Court in Henry v. State, Del.Supr., 298 A.2d 327 (1972) ; that, under the old rule, the circumstantial evidence here would not support a conviction.

1972At the close of the State’s case, which was based entirely upon the inference or presumption arising from possession of recently stolen goods, the Trial Court granted motions of acquittal as to the passengers, upon the basis of Flamer v. State, Del.Supr., 227 A.2d 123 (1967).

21972–1973
Securities And Exchange Commission v. Graystone Nash, Inc. green
ca3 · 1994
1 sentence

2026Ct. May 11, 2018) (quoting SEC v. Graystone Nash, Inc., 25 F.3d 187 , 190 (3d Cir. 1994)); see also Hecksher v. Fairwinds Baptist Church, Inc., 115 A.3d 1187 , 1194 n.8 (Del. 2015) (citing the “prevailing rule that the Fifth Amendment does not forbid adverse inferences against parties to civil actions when they refuse to testify in response to probative evidence offered against them: the Amendment does not preclude the inference where the privilege is claimed by a party to a Civil cause” (quoting Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 318 (1976)); cf. Del.

12026–2026
Hunter v. State green
del · 2002
1 sentence

2021To rule otherwise, would be tantamount to pulling the adversarial teeth from an effective prosecutor’s mouth in summation.”88 Similarly, in Coverdale v. State, the Court held that the prosecutor’s characterization of defense counsel’s argument as a “red herring” did not warrant reversal because it was a one-off remark, supported by the record, that had “no effect on [the defendant’s] right to a fair trial.”89 86 Id. (emphasis added); see also Walker v. State, 790 A.2d 1214, 1220 (Del. 2002) (“Arguments by the prosecutor to the jury . . . should focus on evidence introduced at trial rather than

12021–2021
Crawley v. State green
del · 1967
1 sentence

1973Supr., 235 A.2d 282 (1967). (2) Applying the Flamer test, which we find apposite under the facts of this case, there is sufficient evidence of the defendant’s complicity in the burglary (the time, the place, the removal activity) to establish that the defendant acted in concert with his co-defendant in joint possession, permitting the inference or presumption of guilt to arise from such joint possession. (3) The change in the general circumstantial evidence rule, under Henry , is irrelevant.

11973–1973
Laubacher v. State green
del · 1973
2 sentences

1973The inference or presumption of guilt arising from possession of recently stolen goods supersedes the general circumstantial evidence rule, old or new, Laubacher v. State, Del.Supr., 306 A.2d 728 (1973).

1973The inference or presumption of guilt arising from possession of recently stolen goods supersedes the general circumstantial evidence rule, old or new, Laubacher v. State, Del.Supr., 306 A.2d 728 (1973).

11973–1973
Henry v. State green
del · 1972
1 sentence

1973The defendant makes two inter-related arguments: (1) The case of Flamer v. State, Del.Supr., 227 A.2d 123 (1967) controls and the complicity test there prescribed has not been met; and (2) the case was tried before the circumstantial evidence rule was modified by this Court in Henry v. State, Del.Supr., 298 A.2d 327 (1972) ; that, under the old rule, the circumstantial evidence here would not support a conviction.

11973–1973
Cox v. Greenlease-Lied Motors green
neb · 1938
2 sentences

1950The Court’s words were quoted with approval in Cox v. Greenlease- *559 Lied Motors, 134 Neb. 1 , 277 N.W. 819 .

1950The Court’s words were quoted with approval in Cox v. Greenlease- *559 Lied Motors, 134 Neb. 1 , 277 N.W. 819 .

11950–1950
Sweeney v. Erving green
scotus · 1913
2 sentences

1950Consequently, there is no need to consider this point further, ex-cejpt to point out that the inference theory is now well established in this jurisdiction. 1 We regard the following quotation from Sweeney v. Erving, 228 U.S. 233, 240 , 33 S.Ct. 416, 418 , 57 L.Ed. *233 815, as an acceptable explanation of the inference theory: “In our opinion, res ipso loquitur means that the facts of the occurrence warrant the inference of negligence, not that they compel such an inference; that they furnish circumstantial evidence of negligence where direct evidence of it may be lacking, but it is evidence

1950Consequently, there is no need to consider this point further, ex-cejpt to point out that the inference theory is now well established in this jurisdiction. 1 We regard the following quotation from Sweeney v. Erving, 228 U.S. 233, 240 , 33 S.Ct. 416, 418 , 57 L.Ed. *233 815, as an acceptable explanation of the inference theory: “In our opinion, res ipso loquitur means that the facts of the occurrence warrant the inference of negligence, not that they compel such an inference; that they furnish circumstantial evidence of negligence where direct evidence of it may be lacking, but it is evidence

11950–1950

Where else courts name it

TX 101 (1887–2025) CA 93 (1897–2025) PA 63 (1869–2025) LA 62 (1943–2019) NY 57 (1894–2021) IL 55 (1870–2026) GA 48 (1913–2024) MI 36 (1910–2026) AL 31 (1894–2011) OH 29 (1926–2024) OR 28 (1899–2026) MD 27 (1913–2020) IN 26 (1914–2020) NC 26 (1931–2021) VA 23 (1918–2014) MO 23 (1904–2024) MA 23 (1902–2013) MN 22 (1902–2017) WA 21 (1914–2024) TN 18 (1927–2015) CT 17 (1953–2022) FL 17 (1939–2019) NJ 15 (1957–2026) OK 14 (1915–1995) KS 14 (1934–2013) IA 13 (1913–2021) CO 13 (1946–2018) WV 12 (1887–2019) AZ 11 (1949–2017) MT 11 (1902–2025) DE 11 (1950–2026) ID 11 (1959–2022) UT 8 (1913–2026) SD 8 (1971–2003) KY 7 (1940–2025) RI 7 (1983–2024) AR 7 (1939–1998) HI 6 (1990–2024) WY 6 (1978–2007) NE 6 (1931–2015) NM 5 (1995–2023) MS 5 (1970–2008) SC 5 (1926–1986) VT 5 (1992–2013) WI 4 (1910–2024) DC 4 (1987–2011) NH 3 (1962–2014) NV 3 (1969–1988) ND 3 (1969–2014) ME 2 (2003–2014) AK 2 (2016–2016)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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