Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Private Prison Death Lawsuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Christine Williams against CoreCivic of Tennessee over her son's fatal drug overdose at the Whiteville Correctional Facility. Williams had alleged that severe understaffing at the private prison contributed to her son's death.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuit against CoreCivic over inmate's fatal drug overdose

•Mother alleged severe understaffing allowed unfettered drug access leading to son's death

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds 15-Year Sentence for Felon in Possession Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a 15-year federal prison sentence for Marcus Venson, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court rejected Venson's challenge to the Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement based on his prior Arkansas convictions.

•Marcus Venson received 15-year sentence for federal firearm possession charges with ACCA enhancement

•Eighth Circuit rejected challenge to prior Arkansas convictions counting as violent felonies

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds Enhanced Sentence for Felon in Possession Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected multiple challenges brought by Shaninth Michael Ray, who appealed his above-Guidelines sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court affirmed the district court's denial of Ray's motion to dismiss the indictment and upheld his enhanced sentence in an unpublished February 2026 decision.

•Ray pled guilty to felon in possession of firearm but received enhanced sentence above federal guidelines

•Multiple legal challenges failed including Commerce Clause constitutional challenge and motion to dismiss indictment

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Reviews Indonesian National's Immigration Appeal

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a memorandum decision in the case of Hendri Phang, an Indonesian citizen challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of his motion to reopen removal proceedings. The court partially granted and partially denied Phang's petition for review.

•Ninth Circuit partially granted Indonesian national Hendri Phang's immigration appeal

•BIA properly denied motion to reopen but failed to address sua sponte reopening request

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Wire Fraud Conviction of Michael Shirley

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and 87-month sentence of Michael Courtney Shirley for conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. Shirley had challenged both the sufficiency of evidence and jury instructions defining 'public official.'

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed Michael Shirley's conviction for honest services wire fraud and 87-month sentence

•Shirley challenged evidence sufficiency and jury instructions defining 'public official'

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Overturns 3 Child Porn Convictions in Florida Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed three child pornography convictions against Stephen Regis Jr., a Florida man who exploited underage girls by providing them with vapes, drugs, and alcohol in exchange for explicit images. The court ruled some images did not meet the federal statutory definition of child pornography.

•Stephen Regis Jr. exploited underage girls aged 12-15 through Snapchat, providing vapes, drugs, and alcohol for explicit images

•The Eleventh Circuit reversed three child pornography convictions while affirming 14 other convictions

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Rules on Police Excessive Force During Mental Health Crisis

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a published decision in Castro-Reyes v. City of Opa-Locka, addressing police use of force during a mental health emergency. The case involves allegations that four Florida police officers used excessive force while detaining Jafet Castro-Reyes under the state's Baker Act.

•Eleventh Circuit issued published decision in police excessive force case during mental health crisis

•Four Opa-Locka officers allegedly tased, punched, and dragged suspect during Baker Act detention

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Upholds Boeing Win in Whistleblower Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment in favor of The Boeing Company in a whistleblower retaliation case brought by former employee Christopher Veto. The February 6, 2026 ruling rejected Veto's claims under California Labor Code provisions protecting employees from workplace retaliation.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Boeing in whistleblower retaliation case brought by Christopher Veto

•Court rejected claims under California Labor Code sections 1102.5 and 6310 protecting employees from workplace retaliation

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms Target Win in Patent Invalidity Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling that invalidated six Innovaport LLC patents under Section 101, marking another victory for Target Corporation in patent litigation. The nonprecedential decision was issued February 6, 2026.

•Federal Circuit affirmed summary judgment invalidating six Innovaport patents under Section 101

•Target Corporation successfully defended against patent infringement claims at district court level