Kevin G. Ritz

United States v. Ward is a post-conviction criminal law case asking whether the Supreme Court’s ruling in Rehaif v. United States required Mr. Ward to be released from federal prison. Ward was convicted of a variety of federal law crimes after he engaged in two shootings and the attempted robbery of a local pharmacy. Ward appealed his conviction, arguing that under Rehaif, the prosecution had to show that he knew that he was prohibited from possessing firearms. He also argued that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to justify his conviction. The Sixth Circuit sided with Ritz, finding that:

1. Neither the indictment nor jury instructions constituted reversible error and
2. The evidence against Ward was not insufficient.

Mr. Turner was charged with a variety of federal crimes after committing several armed robberies. He eventually accepted a plea deal. Post-conviction, Turner appealed his case, arguing that he suffered ineffective assistance of counsel. Ritz represented the United States before an en banc Sixth Circuit. The court sided with Ritz, finding that ineffective assistance of counsel claims can only be raised after the start of formal judicial proceedings. The charging decision did not qualify as such a proceeding.

Bruce and his co-defendants shot and killed two individuals at a mussel shell camp in western Tennessee. They then burned down the camp and stole a truck from the property. Bruce was eventually sentenced to life imprisonment. Over a decade later, Bruce submitted a habeas corpus petition, arguing that, in light of new Supreme Court precedent concerning the interpretation of the witness-murder statute, he should be released. Ritz represented the United States before the Third Circuit. The three-judge panel upheld Bruce’s conviction, holding that a reasonable juror would still find Bruce guilty under the new witness-murder statute standard.

Mr. Chandler and Mr. Benton were convicted of various federal crimes after perpetrating a carjacking and robbery. The pair stole a woman’s car, forced her into the backseat, and then robbed a restaurant, locking the employees in a walk-in refrigerator. Benton pled guilty, accepting a 25-year sentence, but Chandler did not. At trial, Chandler was found guilty and sentenced to 46 years imprisonment. He subsequently appealed his case, but the Sixth Circuit rejected his appeal and affirmed the district court’s decision. Ritz litigated this case through trial and appeal.