Verdict . News

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Rules on Prison Exercise Rights in Nevada Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a memorandum decision in *Cardenas-Ornelas v. Johnson*, addressing a Nevada state prisoner's civil rights claims against High Desert State Prison officials who allegedly denied him outdoor exercise in violation of constitutional protections.

•Ninth Circuit issued non-precedential memorandum decision addressing prisoner's exercise rights claims

•Nevada prisoner alleged Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment violations by High Desert State Prison officials

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds Removal of Ivory Coast Refugee Over Robbery Conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Nyynkpao Banyee, a native of the Ivory Coast who came to the United States as a child refugee in 2004. The court upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to remove Banyee following his 2018 robbery conviction under North Dakota law.

•Eighth Circuit denied petition for review, upholding removal order for Ivory Coast native who came to U.S. as child refugee in 2004

•Banyee's 2018 robbery conviction involving brandishing a gun formed basis for removal proceedings under federal immigration law

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Partially Reverses Qualified Immunity Denial for Prison Warden

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mixed ruling in *Cardenas-Ornelas v. Johnson*, partially reversing a district court's denial of qualified immunity to Nevada prison Warden Calvin Johnson. The case involved alleged constitutional violations during COVID-19 quarantine procedures at High Desert State Prison.

•Ninth Circuit partially reversed district court's denial of qualified immunity to Nevada prison warden

•Court found Eighth Amendment right to outdoor exercise was clearly established during COVID-19 pandemic

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Revives Portland Political Persecution Claims

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals partially reversed a district court's dismissal of civil rights claims against Portland and Multnomah County officials. Two plaintiffs alleged conspiracy to arrest and prosecute them without probable cause to silence their right-wing political expression.

•Ninth Circuit partially reversed district court dismissal of civil rights claims against Portland and county officials

•Plaintiffs alleged conspiracy to arrest and prosecute them without probable cause to silence conservative political speech

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Suit Against Kansas

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a civil rights lawsuit filed by pro se plaintiff Earnest Eugene Walker, Jr. against Kansas state officials and defense attorneys. Walker alleged constitutional violations under Section 1983 over what he claimed was an illegal sentence.

•Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal of pro se plaintiff's Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit against Kansas officials

•Walker alleged constitutional violations related to an "illegal sentence" but court found claims insufficient

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Affirms Veterans Court in Johnson Ankle Injury Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part a Veterans Court decision denying restoration of disability benefits for Marine veteran David L. Johnson's ankle injuries sustained during his 1961-1962 service.

•Federal Circuit affirmed in part, dismissed in part Veterans Court denial of 40% disability rating restoration

•Marine veteran David Johnson served only six months in 1961-1962 before suffering ankle injury

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms Warren Conviction in Summary Order

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the criminal conviction of defendant Laquan Warren in a non-precedential summary order issued January 29, 2026. The three-judge panel upheld the lower court's ruling without providing detailed reasoning in the brief order.

•Second Circuit affirmed Laquan Warren's federal criminal conviction in non-precedential summary order

•Three-judge panel including Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston decided the case without detailed written analysis

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Federal Gun Ban for Convicted Felons

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a felon-in-possession conviction, rejecting constitutional challenges to federal law prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms. The court granted the government's motion for summary affirmance in the case of Ro'Daryus Mitchell.

•11th Circuit affirmed federal felon-in-possession conviction, rejecting Second Amendment challenges

•Court granted government's motion for summary affirmance in United States v. Mitchell

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Denies Habeas Appeal in Child Sexual Assault Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a federal habeas corpus appeal by Donnie Ray Pearson, who was convicted of super-aggravated sexual assault of a child in Texas. Pearson argued his attorney provided ineffective assistance by failing to challenge a juror who disclosed childhood sexual abuse during voir dire.

•Donnie Ray Pearson was convicted of super-aggravated sexual assault of a child in Texas state court

•A juror disclosed after voir dire that she had been molested as a child but believed she could remain fair