Verdict . News

•Gerald Jerome Clark was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Mary Kilpatrick in September 2020

Georgia Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Life Sentence in Clark Murder Case

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the convictions of Gerald Jerome Clark, who was sentenced to life without parole for the brutal murder of Mary Kilpatrick in September 2020. Clark was found guilty of multiple felonies including malice murder, arson, and kidnapping.

•Clark was convicted on multiple felony charges including malice murder, arson, kidnapping, and aggravated assault involving entrapping the victim in a car trunk and setting it on fire

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules on Tax Collection Notice Requirements

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in Torrington Tax Collector, LLC v. Riley, addressing whether municipal tax collectors can pursue bank execution actions against former business owners who did not receive proper notice of tax debts. The case involves a dispute over collection procedures against Holly Riley, who had moved to California years before the collection action.

•Connecticut Supreme Court ruled on municipal tax collection notice requirements in Torrington case

•Trial court found tax collector's bank execution action invalid due to lack of proper notice to defendant

•Idaho Supreme Court affirmed warrantless seizure of defendant's cellphone in child exploitation case

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Warrantless Phone Seizure in Child Case

The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a lower court decision allowing police to seize a defendant's cellphone without a warrant during an investigation into allegations he secretly filmed his 13-year-old stepdaughter. The court ruled in *State v. Smith*, rejecting Fourth Amendment challenges to the seizure.

•Christopher Robert Smith charged with video voyeurism and sexual exploitation involving 13-year-old stepdaughter

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

RI Supreme Court Rules in School Committee Education Oversight Cases

The Rhode Island Supreme Court issued a split decision in consolidated cases where Newport and Cumberland School Committees challenged state education agencies' authority. The court's ruling addresses the balance between state oversight and local school governance.

•Rhode Island Supreme Court issued split decision in consolidated school committee cases

•Newport and Cumberland School Committees challenged state education agency authority

•Delaware Supreme Court reversed Court of Chancery's dismissal of restrictive covenant lawsuit

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Reverses Dismissal of Employee Restrictive Covenant Case

The Delaware Supreme Court reversed a Court of Chancery decision that dismissed North American Fire Ultimate Holdings' lawsuit against former employee Alan Doorly for allegedly violating restrictive covenants. The high court held that consideration for non-compete agreements must be measured at the time of contracting, not enforcement.

•Court held consideration for non-compete agreements must be measured at time of contracting, not enforcement

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Issues Summary Order in Credit Suisse Shareholder Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on February 3, 2026, in Stevenson v. Thornburgh, a shareholder derivative lawsuit involving Credit Suisse Group AG. The case involves shareholders suing multiple Credit Suisse executives and KPMG auditors over alleged corporate misconduct.

•Second Circuit issued non-precedential summary order in shareholder derivative case against Credit Suisse executives

•Lawsuit targets over 40 defendants including former CEO Richard E. Thornburgh and KPMG auditors

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Rules on GEICO RICO Case Against NY Doctor

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in GEICO v. Patel, a RICO case involving allegations that Dr. Bhargav Patel and his medical practice defrauded GEICO by exploiting New York's no-fault automobile insurance laws. The case centers on a preliminary injunction preventing the defendants from pursuing over 600 collection actions against GEICO.

•GEICO sued Dr. Bhargav Patel under RICO, alleging exploitation of New York's no-fault insurance laws

•Defendants filed over 600 collection actions against GEICO totaling more than $2 million

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Backs NLRB Subpoena Power in Multi-Company Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a district court order enforcing National Labor Relations Board subpoenas against Universal Smart Contracts LLC and three related entities. The February 3, 2026 decision rejected all jurisdictional challenges and upheld an award of attorneys' fees to the NLRB.

•Second Circuit affirmed enforcement of four NLRB administrative subpoenas against related companies

•Court rejected all jurisdictional challenges including subject-matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, and venue

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Vacates Target Dismissal in Pro Se Employment Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated a district court's dismissal of Marquitta Regaolo's employment discrimination lawsuit against Target Corporation. The appeals court ordered the case remanded for further proceedings after finding the lower court erred in dismissing the pro se plaintiff's complaint.

•Third Circuit vacated district court dismissal of pro se employment discrimination case

•Appeals court found error in dismissing case solely for failure to file opposition brief