Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction After Anonymous Tip Led to Car Search

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a drug conviction against Steven Tilden Fellmy, rejecting his argument that methamphetamine found in his car should have been suppressed because officers conducted an unlawful search using a police dog.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed conviction after rejecting argument that methamphetamine evidence should have been suppressed

•Case began with anonymous tip about drug transportation in silver Ford Mustang through Kentucky

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Decision in Tennessee Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision in *Alford v. Deffendoll*, a civil rights case involving Cannon County sheriff's deputies and a traffic stop that escalated beyond minor violations. The court designated the January 23, 2026 ruling for publication, indicating its precedential value for future cases.

•Sixth Circuit designated the decision for publication, indicating precedential legal significance

•Case involves civil rights claims against Cannon County deputies following traffic stop

State Court

•Vermont Supreme Court affirmed lower court blocking Colchester's eminent domain petition for waterfront property

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Blocks Colchester Eminent Domain for Stormwater Project

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that blocked the Town of Colchester from using eminent domain to seize waterfront property owned by Mongeon Bay Properties for a stormwater treatment facility. The court found the town failed to prove necessity for the land taking.

•Town failed to prove necessity for condemning property already subject to 1979 stormwater easement

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Rules for Treasure Hunters vs. North Carolina Officials

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a published opinion favoring Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions in their legal battle against North Carolina Governor Joshua Stein and multiple officials from the state's Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The case involves disputes over maritime archaeology and underwater treasure hunting rights.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of treasure hunters Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions against North Carolina state officials

•Case involved disputes over underwater archaeology and cultural resource protection with multiple Department of Natural and Cultural Resources officials as defendants

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Reverses Removal Order for Cape Verde Resident's Lewdness Convictions

The First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an immigration removal order against Lucio Ivaldo Cabral Fortes Tomar, a lawful permanent resident from Cape Verde, ruling that Massachusetts' "open and gross lewdness" statute does not categorically constitute a crime involving moral turpitude under federal immigration law.

•First Circuit reversed removal order for lawful permanent resident with two Massachusetts lewdness convictions

•Court held that Massachusetts' "open and gross lewdness" statute is not categorically a crime involving moral turpitude

State Court

•Gregory Dobbins filed for certificate of innocence after his drug conviction was vacated due to fabricated evidence by corrupt Chicago police sergeant Ronald Watts

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Posthumous Certificate of Innocence Petition

The Illinois Supreme Court addressed whether a certificate of innocence petition can proceed after the petitioner's death in *People v. Dobbins*, involving a man whose drug conviction was vacated due to fabricated evidence by corrupt Chicago police. Gregory Dobbins died two weeks before his scheduled hearing, leaving his family to fight for the innocence certificate.

•Dobbins died two weeks before his hearing, prompting his partner to seek substitution to continue the case on behalf of his estate

•Sixth Circuit ruled witness testimony stating 'do not remember' insufficient evidence for jury findings

CA6

6th Circuit: Memory Gaps Don't Meet Evidence Standard in Prison Care Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that witness testimony stating they "do not remember" whether events occurred is insufficient evidence for a jury to find those events actually happened. The decision came in a case where inmate Michael Victor suffered an epileptic seizure after not receiving anti-seizure medication during overnight jail detention.

•Case involved inmate Michael Victor who suffered seizure after allegedly not receiving medication

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Denial of International Child Return Petition

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Lucas Alzu's petition to return his child under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The Argentine father had alleged that Amy Nichole Huff wrongfully removed their child from Argentina.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court denial of Hague Convention child return petition

•Case involved Argentine father seeking return of child from Missouri mother

State Court

•Piercing the corporate veil is an equitable remedy, not an independent cause of action

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Corporate Veil Piercing Standards

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling in Perkins v. RMR Building Group on January 23, 2026, clarifying that piercing the corporate veil is an equitable remedy rather than a standalone legal action. The court also established important appellate review standards for equity cases involving credibility determinations.

•Appellate courts review equity cases de novo but may defer to trial court credibility assessments