Verdict . News

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Affirms Felon's Gun Conviction, Rejects Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction of Yadell Eric Jones, a repeat felon who unlawfully possessed four firearms. The court rejected Jones's facial constitutional challenge to federal gun laws, ruling that binding precedent foreclosed his arguments.

•Third Circuit rejected constitutional challenge to federal felon-in-possession firearm statute

•Police found four loaded firearms, $10,000 cash, and cocaine during October 2021 warrant search

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Covington Police Department and five officers in civil rights lawsuit

6th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Covington Police in Hotel Incident

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of the City of Covington Police Department and five officers in a civil rights lawsuit stemming from a 3:30 a.m. hotel lobby altercation following a wedding reception.

•Incident stemmed from 3:30 a.m. hotel lobby altercation following wedding reception involving intoxicated guests

•Sixth Circuit denied asylum and other immigration protections for 47-year-old Salvadoran man

6th Circuit Denies Salvadoran Man's Asylum Petition Against AG Bondi

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Domingo Antonio Lopez Alvarado, a 47-year-old Salvadoran man seeking asylum and other immigration protections. The court affirmed lower immigration court rulings that rejected his claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.

•Court found substantial evidence supported lower court rulings on untimeliness and lack of persecution

•Omar Thomas Wala manufactured and sold 16.1 million counterfeit alprazolam pills on dark web over five years

Sixth Circuit Rules on $4.8M Counterfeit Drug Sentencing in Dark Web Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published opinion Tuesday in United States v. Omar Thomas Wala, addressing sentencing methodology for a defendant who manufactured and sold 16.1 million counterfeit alprazolam pills on the dark web. Wala challenges the district court's loss calculation methodology following his guilty plea to conspiracy and substantive counterfeiting charges.

•Sixth Circuit reviews district court's loss calculation methodology following guilty plea to conspiracy and counterfeiting

•Sixth Circuit affirmed district court's denial of G4S motion to compel arbitration in racial discrimination class action

6th Circuit Affirms Denial of Arbitration in G4S Racial Bias Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of G4S Secure Solutions' motion to compel arbitration in a class action racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Robert Barnes and former colleagues who worked security at Detroit's Renaissance Center.

•Robert Barnes worked security at Detroit's Renaissance Center for over 30 years before termination

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Denial of Qualified Immunity for Deputy Sheriff

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision denying qualified immunity to Pima County Deputy Sheriff Gilbert Caudillo in a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit. The case stems from Caudillo's fatal shooting of Bradley Alexander Lewis.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of qualified immunity to Deputy Sheriff Gilbert Caudillo in fatal shooting case

•Court found material factual disputes exist, preventing summary judgment for the officer

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Vacates Denial of Buddhist Prisoner's Halal Diet Claim

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's denial of a preliminary injunction for California prisoner Maurice Lydell Harris, a Nichiren Buddhist who sought access to a halal diet as a religious accommodation. The appeals court remanded the case, finding the lower court improperly questioned the content and centrality of Harris's religious beliefs.

•Ninth Circuit vacated district court's denial of preliminary injunction for Buddhist prisoner's halal diet claim

•Court found lower court improperly questioned content and centrality of prisoner's religious beliefs

•Sixth Circuit denied Island Creek Kentucky Mining's petition to review black lung benefits award to coal miner Eddie Stewart

6th Circuit Denies Island Creek Mining Appeal in Black Lung Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied Island Creek Kentucky Mining's petition to review a Benefits Review Board decision that affirmed black lung benefits for coal miner Eddie Stewart. The ruling upholds the administrative law judge's original award under the Black Lung Benefits Act.

•Administrative law judge initially awarded benefits under Black Lung Benefits Act, which Benefits Review Board affirmed

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Revives Securities Fraud Claims Against Funko Inc.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals partially reversed a lower court's dismissal of securities fraud claims against Funko Inc. and two executives. The case involves allegations that the pop culture collectibles company misled investors before writing off tens of millions of dollars in inventory.

•Ninth Circuit partially reversed district court's dismissal of securities fraud claims against Funko Inc.

•Funko's stock dropped more than 50% following massive collectibles inventory writeoffs worth tens of millions