Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Rules in Decades-Old Murder Case Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a recommended opinion in *Donald Herb Johnson v. Laura Plappert*, addressing a Kentucky inmate's challenge to his 30-year-old murder conviction. The case, decided Jan. 9, involves complex questions of guilty plea validity and trial court procedures.

•Sixth Circuit issued recommended opinion in Kentucky inmate's 30-year-old murder case appeal

•Donald Herb Johnson challenges validity of guilty plea entered over three decades ago

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court's partial summary judgment in favor of Milliman in FCRA class action

9th Circuit Sets New Class Action Standing Standard in FCRA Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's partial summary judgment ruling in favor of Milliman, Inc. in a Fair Credit Reporting Act class action, establishing that both named and unnamed class members must demonstrate standing at summary judgment while applying usual summary judgment standards.

•Court established that both named and unnamed class members must demonstrate standing at summary judgment

•Ninth Circuit affirmed class certification against Nestlé for allegedly deceptive sustainability labeling on chocolate products

9th Circuit Upholds Class Certification in Nestlé Chocolate Labeling Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's certification of two state-based class actions against Nestlé USA, Inc. The lawsuit alleges the company used deceptive labeling claiming chocolate products were 'sustainably' or 'responsibly' sourced when they were allegedly produced using child labor and contributing to deforestation.

•Lawsuit claims Nestlé's 'sustainably' and 'responsibly sourced' labels falsely implied products were free of child labor and deforestation

•Steven Hadley Hassan's habeas corpus petition challenging First Step Act exclusions was denied by both district and appeals courts

9th Circuit Denies Federal Prisoner's First Step Act Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a habeas corpus petition filed by federal prisoner Steven Hadley Hassan, who challenged his exclusion from First Step Act time credit benefits. The unpublished memorandum decision represents another example of courts strictly interpreting the Act's eligibility restrictions for certain offense categories.

•The Ninth Circuit applied de novo review and affirmed the lower court's strict interpretation of the Act's eligibility restrictions

•Ninth Circuit affirmed jury verdict favoring DePuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson companies in medical device lawsuit

9th Circuit Affirms Jury Verdict for DePuy in Medical Device Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court judgment favoring DePuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson companies in a medical device lawsuit filed by Michael and Deborah King. The appellate court upheld the jury verdict despite the Kings' challenge to a curative jury instruction.

•Kings challenged district court's curative jury instruction related to witness Dr. Mullen's testimony

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit: District Courts Can Resolve Attorney-Client Disputes

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that district courts may address disagreements between criminal defendants and their attorneys without improperly participating in plea negotiations. The January 9, 2026 decision in *United States v. Eckstein* provides guidance on the boundaries of judicial involvement in attorney-client conflicts.

•District courts may resolve attorney-client disputes without improperly participating in plea negotiations

•The ruling provides precedential guidance throughout the Tenth Circuit on judicial boundaries in criminal cases

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Rules on Non-Resident Petition Rights in Atlanta

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled in *Baker v. City of Atlanta*, addressing whether non-residents can collect petition signatures within city limits. Four DeKalb County residents challenged Atlanta's requirement that petition gatherers be city residents when seeking to repeal a police training facility ordinance.

•Four DeKalb County residents challenged Atlanta's requirement that petition gatherers be city residents

•The case involves a referendum petition seeking to repeal authorization for a police training facility

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Serial Litigant Daker's Prison Lawsuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of another lawsuit filed by Waseem Daker, whom the court described as a 'serial litigant' who has 'clogged the federal courts with frivolous litigation.' The case involved claims against the Georgia Department of Corrections and several officials.

•11th Circuit affirmed dismissal of Daker's lawsuit against Georgia Department of Corrections officials

•Court described Daker as 'serial litigant' who has filed over 1,000 documents in 100+ cases across nine federal courts

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds 16-Year Sentence for Georgia Drug Distribution Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and 192-month sentence of Nathaniel Hilliard for multiple drug distribution charges, firearm possession by a convicted felon, and failure to appear at court proceedings. Hilliard had argued his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation was violated.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed Hilliard's conviction on three heroin distribution counts, firearm possession, and failure to appear

•Court rejected Hilliard's claim that his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation was violated