Verdict . News

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed methamphetamine possession conviction after rejecting search warrant challenge

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Drug Conviction Despite Search Challenge

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed Chad Everette Urrutia's methamphetamine possession conviction, rejecting his argument that law enforcement omitted material facts from a search warrant affidavit. The court found no error in the district court's denial of his motion to suppress evidence found in his bedroom.

•Defendant argued law enforcement omitted material facts from warrant affidavit that would have undermined probable cause

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of wrongful death claims against Oakland Manor nursing facility

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Upholds COVID-19 Immunity Law in Nursing Home Death Case

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the dismissal of wrongful death claims against Oakland Manor nursing facility, clarifying the scope of COVID-19 liability protections for healthcare providers. The ruling addresses the balance between facility immunity and patient safety during the pandemic.

•Case provides first major interpretation of Iowa's COVID-19 Response and Back-to-Business Limited Liability Act

Federal Circuit

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms Insurance Ruling in Bunnenberg v. Liberty Mutual

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court judgment favoring Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company in a case involving plaintiff Tara Bunnenberg. The three-judge panel issued a summary order on January 23, 2026, concluding an appeal that stemmed from a 2011 incident involving insured party Lauren McCormack.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment favoring Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company

•Case involved insurance coverage dispute stemming from 2011 incident between Tara Bunnenberg and insured party Lauren McCormack

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Maryland Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney Robert Paul Pratz to State Bar

The Maryland Supreme Court granted attorney Robert Paul Pratz's petition for reinstatement to the Maryland Bar on Jan. 23, 2026. The order, signed by Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, restores Pratz's ability to practice law in the state following a period of suspension or disbarment.

•Robert Paul Pratz successfully petitioned the Maryland Supreme Court for reinstatement to the state bar

•The court granted the petition on Jan. 23, 2026, with Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader signing the order

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Jan 23, 2026•2 min read

Rhode Island Supreme Court Affirms Child Molestation Conviction

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Wallace Cable on first-degree child molestation sexual assault charges. The high court rejected Cable's challenge to the admission of out-of-court statements made by the victim to a treating physician.

•Wallace Cable convicted on one count of first-degree child molestation sexual assault after jury trial

•Rhode Island Supreme Court unanimously affirmed conviction, rejecting evidentiary challenge on appeal

•Nebraska Supreme Court holds that piercing the corporate veil is an equitable remedy, not a standalone legal action

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Corporate Veil Piercing Standards

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday in Perkins v. RMR Building Group, clarifying that piercing the corporate veil is an equitable remedy rather than a standalone legal action. The decision establishes important precedent for when courts can hold individual owners personally liable for corporate debts.

•Court establishes de novo appellate review standard for equity cases involving corporate liability disputes

•Oregon Supreme Court ordered immediate release from 'illegal imprisonment'

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Orders Immediate Release of Inmate in Habeas Case

The Oregon Supreme Court issued an emergency order Thursday directing the immediate release of Dominic Agapito Earl Fletes from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, ruling his continued imprisonment was illegal. The court bypassed normal appellate procedures to expedite Fletes' discharge after determining errors in his sentencing credit calculations.

•Case involved complex consecutive sentences totaling 56 months with credit calculation errors

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Jan 23, 2026•2 min read

Maryland Supreme Court Grants Cert, Vacates Circuit Court Money Judgment in HOA Case

The Supreme Court of Maryland granted certiorari in Ghazzaoui v. Russett Community Association, Inc., and vacated the circuit court's money judgment, finding the court erred when it entered a new judgment after dismissing the homeowner's appeal. The case was remanded with the original district court judgment remaining in effect.

•Supreme Court of Maryland granted certiorari and vacated circuit court's money judgment

•Court found circuit court erred in entering new judgment after dismissing appeal

•Tennessee Supreme Court ruled state courts lack jurisdiction to confirm arbitration awards when parties agreed arbitration would occur in another state

Tennessee Supreme Court

Tennessee Supreme Court Limits State Jurisdiction in Arbitration Cases

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction to confirm arbitration awards when parties agreed arbitration would occur in another state. The decision came in Berkeley Research Group, LLC v. Southern Advanced Materials, LLC, dismissing Berkeley's attempt to confirm a Pennsylvania arbitration award in Tennessee.

•Berkeley Research Group's petition to confirm Pennsylvania arbitration award was dismissed by Tennessee's highest court