Verdict . News

State Court

•Illinois Supreme Court reversed appellate court ruling that missing preliminary hearing constituted reviewable plain error

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Reverses Appellate Court on Plain Error Standard

The Illinois Supreme Court reversed an appellate court ruling in *People v. Chambliss*, holding that a trial court's failure to conduct a constitutionally required preliminary hearing cannot be reviewed as second-prong plain error when the defendant never objected. The case addresses fundamental questions about constitutional criminal procedure requirements and appellate review standards.

•Defendant Anzano P. Chambliss was convicted of aggravated battery but never objected to lack of constitutional preliminary hearing

State Court

•Texas Supreme Court denied review in case involving Rule 91a motion standards and pleading exhibit consideration

Texas Supreme Court

Texas Supreme Court Denies Review in Rule 91a Motion Case

The Texas Supreme Court denied review in Gardens of Connemara Ltd. v. Longhorn Creek Ltd., leaving unresolved the important question of when trial courts must consider pleading exhibits when ruling on Rule 91a motions to dismiss. Justice Young's concurrence highlighted the significance of this procedural issue while explaining why the case was not suitable for Supreme Court review.

•Justice Young's concurrence emphasized the importance of clarifying when courts must consider attached exhibits

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Addresses Post-Conviction Motion in Wesley Drug Case

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a published order Thursday in *In re: Wesley*, addressing Monterial Wesley's post-conviction challenge to his 30-year federal drug trafficking sentence. Wesley had filed a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(6) motion after exhausting previous appeals and habeas corpus petitions.

•Wesley was sentenced to 30 years for six drug trafficking convictions after pleading guilty to four counts and being convicted at trial on two others

•His direct appeal and motions under federal habeas corpus and sentence reduction statutes were unsuccessful

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Enhanced Sentence for Child Porn Defendant

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed an enhanced prison sentence for Bryan Michael Vannausdle, who pled guilty to receiving child pornography after exchanging explicit materials with a 13-14-year-old girl. The appeals court upheld the district court's application of federal sentencing enhancement guidelines.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed 240-month prison sentence for defendant who pled guilty to receiving child pornography

•Vannausdle exchanged explicit materials with 13-14-year-old girl and made sexual solicitations

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

7th Circuit Reviews Prison Officials' Liability in Cellmate Attack Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals examined whether federal prison officials at the Terre Haute facility can be held liable under Bivens for failing to protect an inmate from repeated cellmate attacks. The court decided the case on January 23, 2026, after arguments heard in May 2025.

•Derek Thomas sued federal prison officials under Bivens for alleged failure to protect him from repeated cellmate attacks at FCC Terre Haute

•The Seventh Circuit examined whether Thomas's claims fit within established Bivens precedent and could overcome qualified immunity defenses

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction After Anonymous Tip Led to Car Search

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a drug conviction against Steven Tilden Fellmy, rejecting his argument that methamphetamine found in his car should have been suppressed because officers conducted an unlawful search using a police dog.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed conviction after rejecting argument that methamphetamine evidence should have been suppressed

•Case began with anonymous tip about drug transportation in silver Ford Mustang through Kentucky

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Decision in Tennessee Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision in *Alford v. Deffendoll*, a civil rights case involving Cannon County sheriff's deputies and a traffic stop that escalated beyond minor violations. The court designated the January 23, 2026 ruling for publication, indicating its precedential value for future cases.

•Sixth Circuit designated the decision for publication, indicating precedential legal significance

•Case involves civil rights claims against Cannon County deputies following traffic stop

State Court

•Vermont Supreme Court affirmed lower court blocking Colchester's eminent domain petition for waterfront property

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Blocks Colchester Eminent Domain for Stormwater Project

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that blocked the Town of Colchester from using eminent domain to seize waterfront property owned by Mongeon Bay Properties for a stormwater treatment facility. The court found the town failed to prove necessity for the land taking.

•Town failed to prove necessity for condemning property already subject to 1979 stormwater easement

Legislation

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Rules for Treasure Hunters vs. North Carolina Officials

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a published opinion favoring Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions in their legal battle against North Carolina Governor Joshua Stein and multiple officials from the state's Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The case involves disputes over maritime archaeology and underwater treasure hunting rights.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of treasure hunters Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions against North Carolina state officials

•Case involved disputes over underwater archaeology and cultural resource protection with multiple Department of Natural and Cultural Resources officials as defendants