Verdict . News

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Discrimination Claims vs Chain IQ

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of wrongful termination claims brought by Cheryl Peebles against Chain IQ Americas Inc. The appeals court ruled that Peebles' allegations of racial discrimination under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, as well as claims under Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act, were factually insufficient to proceed.

•Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of employment discrimination lawsuit on Feb. 3, 2026

•Plaintiff alleged racial discrimination under federal Title VII and Section 1981 civil rights laws

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of ADA Case Against Electronic Materials Co.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of an ADA lawsuit brought by Robert Koscielski, a 20-year employee of DDP Specialty Electronic Materials who was terminated after developing a rare brain condition affecting his balance. The court held that Koscielski could not perform essential job functions even with accommodation.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of ADA lawsuit against DDP Specialty Electronic Materials

•20-year employee terminated after developing permanent neurological condition affecting balance

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Prisoner's Baker Act Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a pro se complaint filed by inmate Michael Wayne Hill against two mental health professionals. Hill alleged the defendants violated his Fourth Amendment rights under Section 1983 by certifying him for involuntary examination under Florida's Baker Act.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of pro se inmate's Section 1983 lawsuit against private mental health professionals

•District court correctly found defendants were not state actors required for federal civil rights liability

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Florida Man's Appeal in Postal Worker Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is considering Charlie Holley's appeal of his federal conviction for shooting at a United States Postal Service vehicle from his Florida City townhouse in June 2021. Holley challenges the admission of body camera footage and 911 call recordings at trial.

•Charlie Holley shot at a USPS vehicle with a scoped assault rifle from his Florida City townhouse on June 21, 2021

•He was convicted on four federal counts including assaulting a federal employee and firearm charges

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Vacates Dismissal in Child Abuse Case Against US

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district court's dismissal of claims against the United States by three families whose children suffered abuse at a government-owned childcare center. The appeals court found the lower court erred in applying sovereign immunity protections under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

•Three families sued the US government after children suffered abuse at federal childcare center

•District court dismissed claims under Federal Tort Claims Act intentional tort exception

State Court

Supreme Court of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Supreme Court Strikes Down Norman Referendum Petition

The Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed a Cleveland County trial court's ruling that found Referendum Petition 2425-1 regarding Norman's Rock Creek Entertainment District Project legally insufficient. The state's highest court upheld the lower court's decision granting protesters' challenge to the petition.

•Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed trial court's rejection of Referendum Petition 2425-1 challenging Norman's Rock Creek Entertainment District Project

•Court found the petition's 'gist' legally insufficient under state referendum standards

State Court

•Montana Supreme Court affirmed Grant Alan West's conviction for armed pharmacy robbery in Columbia Falls

Montana Supreme Court

Montana Supreme Court Upholds Pharmacy Robbery Conviction

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Grant Alan West for robbing a Columbia Falls pharmacy at gunpoint. West was found guilty of demanding Percocet from employees before forcing them to hide in a bathroom during his escape.

•West demanded Percocet from Good Medicine Pharmacy employees and forced them to hide in bathroom during escape

State Court

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Hears State v. Johnson Murder Appeal

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision in State v. Johnson, a criminal case involving murder, first-degree burglary, and conspiracy convictions. The case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews following the discovery of a decomposed body.

•Connecticut Supreme Court decided appeal in murder case involving Miles Johnson

•Case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews after body discovery

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Denies Air Force Employee's Veterans Rights Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed Chima Akagbue Nwala's petition challenging the Merit Systems Protection Board's denial of his corrective action request. Nwala alleged the Air Force violated his veterans preference rights when it selected another candidate for a supervisory position.

•Federal Circuit dismissed Air Force employee's petition challenging hiring decision

•Nwala alleged agency violated veterans preference rights through improper use of direct hiring authority