⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

Real court arguments, crisp audio, with context.

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USA v. James — 9th Cir. (Sep 17, 2026)

No. 24-5871 Argued September 17, 2026 Published October 8, 2026

The Ninth Circuit hears the United States versus Tre James. Jamie Yazzie disappeared from the Navajo Nation in 2019. Her remains were found on the neighboring Hopi Reservation in November 2021. A federal jury convicted James, her boyfriend, of first-degree murder and domestic violence against three other women. He received a life sentence. His appeal asks whether those convictions should stand. Rule 404(b) generally bars using other acts merely to show bad character and guilt, but may permit them for a different purpose, such as motive or intent. Rule 403 still permits exclusion if unfair prejudice substantially outweighs the evidence's value in proving the case.

USA v. James (No. 24-5871) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued September 17, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — Ninth Circuit (original ends during the next-case announcement, after this argument was submitted):https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/09/17/24-5871.mp3
Argument date and case — Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=24-5871&hearingDate=2026-09-17
Conviction appeal synopsis — Ninth Circuit calendar:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/calendar/calendar-search?input-search-case=24-5871
Jury verdict and case background — U.S. Attorney, Arizona:https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/pinon-man-found-guilty-murder-missing-navajo-woman
Sentence — U.S. Attorney, Arizona:https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/convicted-murderer-sentenced-life-prison-murder-missing-navajo-woman
Independent sentencing and background report — Anita Snow, Associated Press:https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/jamie-yazzie-boyfriend-navajo-woman-sentenced.amp
Other-act evidence — Federal Rule of Evidence 404:https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_404
Unfair prejudice — Federal Rule of Evidence 403:https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_403
Other-act evidence safeguards — Huddleston v. United States, pages 691–692:https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/usrep/usrep485/usrep485681/usrep485681.pdf

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