Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms $17K Cost Award to Riviera Beach in Lozman Case

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to award $17,349.61 in costs to the City of Riviera Beach, Florida, in its ongoing legal dispute with frequent litigant Fane Lozman. Lozman had challenged the award, arguing the city was not a prevailing party entitled to costs.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed $17,349.61 cost award to City of Riviera Beach against Fane Lozman

•Lozman argued city was not prevailing party because case was dismissed without prejudice for lack of ripeness

•Hawaii Supreme Court rejected Austin Rosa's certiorari petition against Kauai Police Department and county officials

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Rejects Police Misconduct Appeal by Austin Rosa

The Hawaii Supreme Court rejected a petition for review in *Rosa v. Kaua'i Police Department*, ending a civil rights lawsuit by self-represented plaintiff Austin Rosa against the Kauai Police Department, prosecutor's office, and county government. The February 4, 2026 order represents the final appellate option in Hawaii's state court system.

•Self-represented plaintiff exhausted all state court appeals following adverse Intermediate Court of Appeals ruling

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Mountaire Farms' Termination of Injured Worker

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision favoring Mountaire Farms of North Carolina Corporation in an employment termination case. Former rehang supervisor Craige Robinson challenged his firing after he was unable to return to work following a serious injury and FMLA leave.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court decision favoring Mountaire Farms in employment termination case

•Former rehang supervisor Craige Robinson was terminated after FMLA leave when accommodation efforts failed

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal for El Salvador Native

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Maria Cortez Pineda, an El Salvador native seeking asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. Eight major immigration advocacy organizations supported the unsuccessful appeal against Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied petition for review in immigration case involving El Salvador native Maria Cortez Pineda

•Eight prominent immigration rights organizations filed amicus briefs supporting the unsuccessful appeal

•Todd D. Robinson was convicted in 2013 of first-degree murder following a one-person grand jury indictment without a preliminary examination

Michigan Supreme Court

Michigan Supreme Court Rules on One-Person Grand Jury Murder Conviction

The Michigan Supreme Court has issued a decision in *People v. Robinson*, addressing the conviction of Todd D. Robinson for first-degree murder following a controversial one-person grand jury indictment. The case centers on whether defendants charged under Michigan's one-person grand jury statutes are entitled to preliminary examinations.

•The 2022 *People v. Peeler* decision established that defendants charged under one-person grand jury statutes are entitled to preliminary examinations

Supreme Court of South Dakota

South Dakota Supreme Court Issues Mixed Ruling in Kaiser Trucking v. Liberty Mutual

The South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed a lower court decision in Kaiser Trucking, Inc. v. Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company, marking the second time this insurance coverage dispute has reached the state's highest court. The case involves a 2015 collision and subsequent efforts by the trucking company to recover under Liberty Mutual's policy covering the other driver.

•Second appeal to South Dakota Supreme Court indicates complex, prolonged legal battle

•Mixed ruling partially affirms and partially reverses lower court decision

Supreme Court of South Dakota

South Dakota Supreme Court Reverses Expert Testimony Order in Murder Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court reversed a lower court's decision allowing expert testimony on false confessions in the first-degree murder case against Timothy Huante, who is charged with killing Dallas Quick Bear at a Rapid City bar in 2022.

•South Dakota Supreme Court reversed lower court order allowing false confession expert testimony

•Timothy Huante faces first-degree murder charges for fatal shooting of Dallas Quick Bear in 2022

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Affirms Hobbs Act Robbery Conviction for Larry Pyos Jr.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of Larry Pyos Jr. on multiple federal robbery and firearm charges in an unpublished per curiam decision. The case originated from a 2016 jury conviction in the Eastern District of Virginia involving conspiracy and multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed conviction in unpublished per curiam opinion filed Feb. 4, 2026

•Original 2016 conviction included 20 federal charges ranging from Hobbs Act robbery to felon in possession of firearm

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Maritime Drug Conviction Despite Delayed Appearance

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed Franklin Dominguez's Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act conviction for cocaine smuggling in Caribbean waters. The appeals court rejected his arguments that a 24-day delay before his initial court appearance and constitutional challenges warranted dismissal of the charges.

•Franklin Dominguez's Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act conviction for cocaine smuggling was affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit

•The court rejected his challenge based on a 24-day delay before his initial court appearance