Rivera v. State

Favian Rivera seeks review of his conviction of first-degree murder with a firearm and sentence of life with no judicial sentencing review. We conclude the trial court unduly restricted Rivera's cross-examination of his co-defendant, a key State witness, and reverse.

Rivera and his co-defendant, Brandon Soto, both juveniles, were indicted for the first-degree premeditated murder of Hector Jorge-Pabon.1 Soto went to trial first and was found guilty of first-degree murder with special findings that he possessed and discharged a firearm that resulted in death. Post-verdict, in exchange for his…