Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Ruling in Civil Rights Case Over Linda Henry Murder

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a precedential decision February 12 in a civil rights lawsuit filed by the estate of Linda Henry against Benzie County and sheriff's deputies. The case stems from Henry's February 2022 murder by her neighbor, with allegations that law enforcement's selective enforcement contributed to her death.

•Sixth Circuit designated the ruling for publication, indicating significant legal precedent

•Case involves civil rights claims against Benzie County and four sheriff's deputies

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Rules on Workplace Harassment in Hamm v. Pullman SST Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision February 12 in Kevin Hamm v. Pullman SST, Inc., an employment discrimination case involving alleged harassment based on sexual orientation. The court reviewed a district court ruling in a case where Hamm claimed coworkers ridiculed him after learning he was bisexual.

•Sixth Circuit issued published decision in workplace harassment case involving sexual orientation discrimination

•Employee alleged months of ridicule from coworkers after they learned he was bisexual

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Denies Rehearing in State Department Visa Dispute

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied James Devins' petition for panel rehearing in his challenge against the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs over a denied visa for a foreign student he sought to sponsor under religious freedom protections.

•Fifth Circuit denied James Devins' petition for panel rehearing in visa denial challenge

•Court affirmed dismissal of RFRA claims but reversed dismissal with prejudice

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms Coverage Ruling Against Mt. Hawley Insurance

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling requiring Mt. Hawley Insurance Company to provide coverage to Reidy Contracting Group following a construction site ceiling collapse. The appeals court rejected Mt. Hawley's arguments about additional insured status and exclusion clauses.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court ruling requiring Mt. Hawley Insurance to provide coverage following construction site ceiling collapse

•Appeals court held that Reidy Contracting Group qualified as additional insured under Mt. Hawley's policy with subcontractor Vanquish

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Affirms Dismissal of 3D Gun Code Free Speech Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit challenging New Jersey's restrictions on distributing computer files for 3D-printed firearms. Defense Distributed and the Second Amendment Foundation argued the restrictions violated their First Amendment rights, but the court ruled they failed to establish the code qualifies for constitutional protection.

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of First Amendment challenge to New Jersey's restrictions on 3D gun file distribution

•Court distinguished between expressive computer code that receives First Amendment protection and purely functional code that does not

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Affirms State Farm Win in Sewage Damage Coverage Dispute

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, ruling that homeowners Ronald and Shirley Cooper failed to create a factual dispute about sewage damage coverage under their policy's off-premises exclusion clause.

•Fifth Circuit unanimously affirmed summary judgment for State Farm in sewage damage coverage dispute

•Homeowners failed to create factual dispute about whether sewage originated from covered sources under policy

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Civil Rights Groups Challenge Texas Election Laws in Fifth Circuit

A coalition of civil rights organizations has appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging Texas election policies implemented under Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The consolidated cases represent multiple voting rights groups seeking to overturn state election procedures they argue restrict voter access.

•Coalition of 10+ civil rights groups appeals Texas election policies to Fifth Circuit Court

•Consolidated cases challenge Governor Abbott, Attorney General Paxton, and state election procedures

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Denies En Banc Review in Lansing Police Death Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition for rehearing en banc in *Romero v. City of Lansing*, a civil rights lawsuit involving the death of Stephen Romero and allegations of excessive force by Lansing police officers. The decision reveals sharp divisions among circuit judges on police accountability issues.

•Sixth Circuit denied petition for full court review in civil rights lawsuit over Stephen Romero's death involving Lansing police officers

•Multiple judicial opinions revealed sharp divisions among circuit judges on police accountability and qualified immunity issues

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Upholds Indiana University Employee Firing for Email Misconduct

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Indiana University's termination of Jennifer Shirk, a former online instructional designer who was fired for sending inappropriate emails to senior university officials about resolved workplace issues.

•Jennifer Shirk was terminated from Indiana University for sending inappropriate emails to senior officials about resolved workplace issues

•She claimed retaliation for taking medical leave and requesting accommodations for mental health conditions including OCD and PTSD