Verdict . News

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms 20-Year Sentence in Child Abuse Material Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part and dismissed in part the conviction and 240-month sentence of Beau Thomas Shores for receipt of child sexual abuse material. The court issued an unpublished per curiam opinion on February 6, 2026.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed 240-month sentence for receipt of child sexual abuse material

•Court issued mixed ruling, affirming in part and dismissing in part on appeal

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Affirms Mental Incompetency Finding in Federal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's determination that Travis Keith Lang is incompetent to stand trial due to delusional disorder. The appeals court upheld the lower court's order committing Lang to federal custody for competency evaluation and potential restoration.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court finding that Travis Keith Lang is incompetent to stand trial due to delusional disorder

•Lang will remain in federal custody for competency evaluation and potential restoration under 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d)(2)

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Reviews Racial Hostile Work Environment Standards

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a case that could reshape how workplace discrimination claims are evaluated, deciding whether evidence of general discrimination against racial minorities can support an individual employee's hostile work environment claim.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of discriminatory termination claims but revived hostile work environment claim

•Court found substantial evidence to support racial hostile work environment allegations despite insufficient evidence for termination claims

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Tackles Hostile Work Environment Standards in Race Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a split decision in *Melton v. I-10 Truck Center*, affirming summary judgment on discrimination and retaliation claims while vacating dismissal of a hostile work environment claim. The court addressed whether workplace discrimination against all racial minorities can support an individual employee's hostile environment claim.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of discrimination and retaliation claims but revived hostile work environment claim

•Court addressed whether discrimination against all racial minorities can support individual hostile environment claims

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Dismisses USPS Worker's Back Pay Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a Merit Systems Protection Board decision dismissing Lance McDermott's petition for enforcement of back pay. The court ruled that the United States Postal Service had complied with its payment obligations to McDermott for annual leave and interest.

•Federal Circuit affirmed Merit Systems Protection Board dismissal of McDermott's back pay enforcement petition

•USPS complied with obligations to pay former maintenance mechanic for annual leave and interest

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Vacates Lifetime Computer Ban for Child Porn Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated a lifetime computer ban imposed on Johnnie Lewis, who pled guilty to possessing child pornography as a repeat offender. The appellate court found the special condition preventing Lewis from possessing or using computers was overly broad and remanded the case to the district court for reconsideration.

•Lewis pled guilty to child pornography possession as a repeat offender under federal law

•District court imposed lifetime supervised release with complete computer ban

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•4 min read

Fifth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Texas Trooper in Fatal Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Texas State Trooper Donald Hinote in a federal civil rights lawsuit. The parents of Ronald Elizondo Jr. had sued the trooper under Section 1983 for excessive force in their son's fatal shooting.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Texas State Trooper Donald Hinote in Section 1983 excessive force lawsuit

•Parents of Ronald Elizondo Jr. sued trooper over their son's fatal shooting but lost at both district and appellate court levels

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•4 min read

10th Circuit Affirms Double Murder Conviction for Dakota Briscoe

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Dakota Don Briscoe, known as 'Outlaw,' who was found guilty of shooting two men in their car and setting the vehicle on fire in September 2020. The appellate court rejected Briscoe's appeal without oral argument.

•Tenth Circuit affirmed conviction of Dakota Don Briscoe for 2020 double murder and carjacking

•Court proceeded without oral argument, finding it unnecessary for decision

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•4 min read

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Police Liability Case in Fatal Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit against Dayton police officers who responded to a domestic dispute shortly before a man fatally shot his partner and her daughter. The court upheld a lower court's ruling that res judicata barred the federal claims after a state court had previously dismissed similar allegations.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of federal lawsuit against Dayton police officers who responded to domestic dispute before fatal shooting

•Aisha Nelson and six-year-old Harper Guynn were killed by Waverly Hawes an hour after police left without arresting him despite threats