Verdict . News

•Arizona officials claim Biden's Grand Canyon monument designation violates the Antiquities Act and will cost $180 million in lost mining revenue

Ninth Circuit

Ninth Circuit Hears Arizona Challenge to Grand Canyon Monument

Arizona state officials asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday to allow them to sue the federal government over President Biden's 2023 designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. The state argues the monument designation illegally blocks uranium mining and will cost Arizona $180 million in lost tax revenue.

•The monument protects 900,000 acres from uranium mining that was set to become legal in 2032

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•2 min read

11th Circuit Rejects Prisoner's Claims Over Cellmate Violence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed lower court rulings dismissing federal prisoner David A. Diehl's civil rights lawsuit against prison officials. Diehl alleged negligent cellmate assignment and excessive force through pepper spray use following an attack by his cellmate.

•Federal prisoner David A. Diehl lost his civil rights lawsuit against prison officials on appeal

•The Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of claims for negligent cellmate assignment and excessive force via pepper spray

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds 63-Month Sentence for Prohibited Firearm Possession

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a 63-month federal prison sentence for Christopher King, who pled guilty to illegal firearm possession by a prohibited person. King unsuccessfully challenged the district court's sentencing guidelines calculations on appeal.

•Christopher King pled guilty to federal firearms violations under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 922(g)(3), and 924(a)(8)

•The Eighth Circuit affirmed his 63-month sentence, rejecting challenges to sentencing guidelines calculations

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•5 min read

3rd Circuit: Attempted Murder of Federal Witness Is 'Crime of Violence'

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a precedential ruling February 3 determining that attempted murder of a federal witness qualifies as a 'crime of violence' under federal sentencing guidelines. The decision in *United States v. Dameia Smith* upholds enhanced penalties for crimes targeting witnesses in federal cases.

•Third Circuit ruled attempted murder of federal witness qualifies as 'crime of violence' under § 924(c)

•Decision upholds 40-year sentence enhancement for defendant who targeted federal witness

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Issues Summary Order in Residential Capital LLC Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order on February 3, 2026, in the ongoing Residential Capital LLC bankruptcy case involving the ResCap Liquidating Trust and multiple settlement class representatives. The ruling addresses disputes stemming from the collapse of the mortgage lender that was a key player in the 2008 financial crisis.

•Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued summary order in long-running Residential Capital LLC bankruptcy case

•Case involves ResCap Liquidating Trust and multiple settlement class representatives seeking remedies

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Affirms Montgomery County School Board in Education Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of the Montgomery County Board of Education in a lawsuit brought by the Association for Education Fairness. The unpublished decision, filed February 3, 2026, upheld the district court's judgment.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court ruling favoring Montgomery County Board of Education

•Association for Education Fairness, represented by Pacific Legal Foundation, was unsuccessful in appeal

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Conspiracy Sentences for Tennessee Defendants

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the sentences of Mason Shelton and Tyler Richard Seaberg, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both defendants unsuccessfully challenged their sentences as procedurally and substantively unreasonable.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed sentences for marijuana and money laundering conspiracy charges against two Tennessee defendants

•DEA investigation in summer 2023 led to charges after confidential informant arranged drug purchase discussions

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Remands Civil Rights Case Against Prince George's County

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated a lower court's dismissal and remanded Randy Richardson's civil rights lawsuit against Prince George's County. Richardson alleged the county's permitting department discriminated against his minority-owned small business through harassment and improper fines.

•Fourth Circuit vacated district court's dismissal of discrimination lawsuit against Prince George's County

•Richardson alleged county's permitting department discriminated against his minority-owned business

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms $300K Judgment in Business Partnership Fraud Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a nearly $300,000 non-dischargeable judgment against Michele DiBassie in a bankruptcy fraud case brought by her former business partner Christopher Reeves. The court rejected DiBassie's arguments challenging Reeves' standing and contract interpretation.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed $299,980.98 non-dischargeable judgment against Michele DiBassie in bankruptcy fraud case

•Court rejected DiBassie's challenges to Christopher Reeves' standing to bring embezzlement claims