Lecturer John N. Sharifi argued the case of Garcia v. State in the Maryland Court of Appeals this week. It was Mr. Sharifi’s second time challenging the legal possibility of a theory of murder in Maryland’s highest court. He successfully did so in the 2017 landmark case of State v. Jones, when he convinced the court to reverse precedent and vacate a theory of felony murder from Maryland law.

In Garcia, Mr. Sharifi argued the legal nuances of the relationship between accessories before the fact and second degree murder. The oral arguments can be viewed here. It typically takes several months after oral arguments for a decision to be issued.

Mr. Sharifi directs the National Mock Trial Team, and teaches Evidence and Trial Practice at the law school.