Verdict . News

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Louisiana Supreme Court Reverses Felon Firearm Conviction

The Louisiana Supreme Court reversed the conviction of Gerald Manchip White for possessing firearms as a convicted felon, ruling that evidence was insufficient to prove he constructively possessed guns found in his family home.

•Louisiana Supreme Court reversed Gerald Manchip White's conviction for felon in possession of firearms

•Court ruled evidence insufficient to prove constructive possession and intent regarding firearms found in defendant's home

•Florida Supreme Court denied Frank A. Walls' successive postconviction relief motion, habeas corpus petition, and stay request on December 11, 2025

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Denies Final Appeals for Death Row Inmate

The Florida Supreme Court denied all final appeals from death row inmate Frank A. Walls on December 11, 2025, clearing the way for his execution scheduled for December 18. The court rejected Walls' successive motion for postconviction relief, petition for habeas corpus, and request for a stay of execution.

•Walls is scheduled for execution on December 18, 2025, for the 1987 murders of Edward Alger and Ann Peterson in Okaloosa County

•Joint bank accounts between spouses can qualify for entireties protection even when originally opened by one spouse alone

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Protects Joint Bank Accounts from Individual Creditors

The Florida Supreme Court ruled that joint bank accounts between spouses can be protected from individual creditors under tenancy by entireties ownership, even when one spouse originally opened the account alone. The court held that a 2008 statutory amendment eliminated traditional common law requirements for simultaneous creation.

•2008 statutory amendment created presumption favoring entireties ownership that overrides traditional time and title unity requirements

•Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed state appeal challenging circuit court's refusal to dismiss LEARNS Act lawsuit

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Dismisses State Appeal in LEARNS Act Challenge

The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the state Department of Education and twelve other officials challenging a circuit court's refusal to dismiss a lawsuit that claims the LEARNS Act's Educational Freedom Account program violates the state constitution.

•Court ruled sovereign immunity doesn't apply to illegal-exaction claims against unconstitutional spending

•Arkansas Supreme Court adopts Administrative Order No. 25 regulating AI use with confidential court data, effective immediately

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Adopts AI Rules for Confidential Court Data

The Arkansas Supreme Court officially adopted Administrative Order No. 25 on December 11, 2025, establishing comprehensive regulations for using generative artificial intelligence with confidential court data. The order requires all court system participants to exercise heightened awareness when using AI tools that may retain sensitive legal information.

•Order requires awareness of data retention by AI tools and distinguishes between public and private language models

•Wyoming Supreme Court reinstated attorney Cody M. Jerabek effective immediately on Dec. 11, 2025

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Reinstates Attorney After 3-Year Suspension

The Wyoming Supreme Court reinstated attorney Cody M. Jerabek to practice law effective immediately on Dec. 11, 2025, following completion of a three-year suspension that began in December 2022. The reinstatement came after a review panel recommendation from the Wyoming State Bar's Board of Professional Responsibility.

•Jerabek completed a three-year suspension that began Dec. 15, 2022, for unspecified professional misconduct

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed prejudgment interest award to YJ Construction after jury found homeowners failed to pay for custom home construction

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Interest Award in Construction Dispute

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a district court's decision to award prejudgment interest to YJ Construction, Inc. after a jury found homeowners Russ and Debi Ropken failed to pay for partial construction of their custom home.

•Court rejected homeowners' due process challenge to interest award granted without evidentiary hearing

•Oregon Supreme Court denied petition for review in criminal case State v. Farnham on December 11, 2025

Oregon Supreme Court

Oregon Supreme Court Denies Review in State v. Farnham Criminal Case

The Oregon Supreme Court denied a petition for review in State v. Farnham on December 11, 2025, effectively upholding a lower court criminal conviction from Coos County. The case involved Michael Daniel Farnham, who was represented by the Oregon Public Defense Commission, with no opposition appearing before the state's highest court.

•Case originated from Coos County Circuit Court and was appealed through Court of Appeals

•SEC charged Canadian citizen Nathan Gauvin and three controlled entities with securities fraud targeting retail investors

Regulatory

Dec 10, 2025•4 min read

SEC Charges Canadian Citizen With Discord Investment Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Canadian citizen Nathan Gauvin and three controlled entities with orchestrating fraudulent securities schemes that targeted retail investors through the Discord platform.

•Fraudulent schemes operated through Discord platform to reach and deceive individual investors