Defense Attorney Announces Appeal

Barely had the decision been reached when defense attorney Michael Sanft announced to NBC News on September 2, 2026, that Duane “Keffe D” Davis will appeal the verdict. “Before the first jurors even showed up for selection, we knew this was going to be an appellate issue,” he said.

The Judge Allowed the Proffer Interview

The centerpiece, he said, was the judge’s decision to allow jurors access to statements from the 2008 proffer interview-an interrogation conducted under protection against self-incrimination. Sanft considered this “highly prejudicial.” He also criticized the length of deliberations: the jury decided after two and a half hours.

The Verdict Is Not Yet Final

An appeal is only possible after sentencing on October 13; Sanft initially plans to request the minimum sentence. After that, the defense has 30 days to file notice and an additional four months for the petition to the Supreme Court. Sanft estimated the duration at up to a year. Until then, the verdict is not final.

Context: The Investigation.