Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Denies Plea Withdrawal in $6M Money Laundering Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of Malachi Mullings's request to withdraw his guilty plea in a money laundering case involving millions of dollars from an African fraud scheme. Mullings had argued his attorney coerced him into pleading guilty.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed denial of guilty plea withdrawal in money laundering case

•Defendant claimed attorney coercion but court found insufficient grounds for withdrawal

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•5 min read

5th Circuit Reviews 60-Year St. Mary Parish Desegregation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing a school desegregation case involving St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, that dates back to 1965. The School Board is appealing a district court's refusal to dissolve a permanent injunction that has governed the district's operations for nearly six decades.

•1965 permanent injunction required St. Mary Parish schools to desegregate, with enforcement lasting 60 years

•School Board seeks to dissolve injunction citing procedural problems, after new class representatives sought modifications in 2019

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Dismisses Wisconsin Voter Alliance Case Over Standing

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed a case brought by the Wisconsin Voter Alliance against Wisconsin election officials, ruling that the advocacy group failed to establish proper Article III standing to sue in federal court. The February 10, 2026 decision reinforces strict requirements for organizational standing in election-related litigation.

•The Seventh Circuit dismissed the Wisconsin Voter Alliance's lawsuit against state election officials for lack of Article III standing

•The court applied strict standing requirements from recent Supreme Court precedent, requiring concrete injuries beyond procedural violations

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reverses $2M Verdict Against Duster Maker in Fatal Crash

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed a jury verdict that held CRC Industries liable for the death of Cynthia McDougall, who was killed by a driver impaired by huffing difluoroethane gas from the company's computer duster product. The appellate court overturned the lower court's denial of CRC's motion for judgment as a matter of law.

•Eighth Circuit reversed jury verdict holding CRC Industries liable for fatal car crash caused by driver impaired from huffing duster gas

•Jury had found CRC's warnings adequate but ruled the duster product was defectively designed

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Defendant's Right to Self-Representation in Fraud Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision allowing defendant Eunice Salley to represent herself in criminal proceedings involving mail fraud and tax evasion charges. The appeals court rejected Salley's argument that the lower court erred in permitting her self-representation.

•Defendant insisted on self-representation throughout criminal proceedings involving mail fraud and tax evasion charges

•Appeals court unanimously found waiver of counsel was knowing and voluntary despite serious charges

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds 15-Year Sentence for Felon's Firearm Possession

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 180-month prison sentence for Tomario Ricardo Hicks, who pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The enhanced sentence was imposed under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed 180-month sentence under Armed Career Criminal Act

•Hicks pled guilty to felon-in-possession charge after 2022 traffic stop

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

D.C. Circuit Upholds FERC Ban on Energy Efficiency Bidding

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Feb. 10 that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission properly approved a tariff amendment prohibiting companies from bidding Energy Efficient Resources in capacity auctions run by PJM Interconnection. Affirmed Energy LLC challenged the restriction but lost in a split decision.

•D.C. Circuit upheld FERC's approval of tariff amendment prohibiting Energy Efficient Resources from bidding in PJM capacity auctions

•Affirmed Energy LLC's challenge was rejected in a split decision, with Circuit Judge Pan filing a partial dissent

State Court

•Idaho Supreme Court affirmed district court judgment favoring St. Luke's Health System and medical staff

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Judgment Favoring St. Luke's Against Rodriguez

The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a district court judgment in favor of St. Luke's Health System and its medical staff against Diego Rodriguez and entities connected to political activist Ammon Bundy. The February 10, 2026 ruling upholds the lower court's decision in the healthcare dispute.

•Case involved Diego Rodriguez as defendant-appellant and multiple Ammon Bundy-affiliated organizations

State Court

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Maine Supreme Court: Insurers Must Send Nonrenewal Notices Despite Renewal Offers

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court reversed a lower court ruling in *Dudley v. Hudson Specialty Insurance*, holding that insurers must provide nonrenewal notices to policyholders even when making renewal offers. The unanimous decision clarifies Maine insurance law requirements.

•Maine Supreme Judicial Court reversed summary judgment favoring Hudson Specialty Insurance Company

•Court held that Maine statute requires nonrenewal notices even when renewal offers are made