Verdict . News

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Vacates Order Withholding Mandate in Hershey v. Bossier City

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has vacated an order that was withholding the issuance of a mandate in the civil rights case Hershey v. City of Bossier City, effectively clearing the way for the lower court's ruling to take effect. The case involves allegations against the city and several law enforcement officials including Deputy Marshal Bobby Gilbert.

•Fifth Circuit vacated order withholding mandate in civil rights case against Bossier City and law enforcement officials

•Case involves plaintiff Richard Hershey against the city and multiple defendants including Deputy Marshal Bobby Gilbert

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Private Prison Death Lawsuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Christine Williams against CoreCivic of Tennessee over her son's fatal drug overdose at the Whiteville Correctional Facility. Williams had alleged that severe understaffing at the private prison contributed to her son's death.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of lawsuit against CoreCivic over inmate's fatal drug overdose

•Mother alleged severe understaffing allowed unfettered drug access leading to son's death

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

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds 15-Year Sentence for Felon in Possession Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a 15-year federal prison sentence for Marcus Venson, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court rejected Venson's challenge to the Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement based on his prior Arkansas convictions.

•Marcus Venson received 15-year sentence for federal firearm possession charges with ACCA enhancement

•Eighth Circuit rejected challenge to prior Arkansas convictions counting as violent felonies

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds Enhanced Sentence for Felon in Possession Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected multiple challenges brought by Shaninth Michael Ray, who appealed his above-Guidelines sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court affirmed the district court's denial of Ray's motion to dismiss the indictment and upheld his enhanced sentence in an unpublished February 2026 decision.

•Ray pled guilty to felon in possession of firearm but received enhanced sentence above federal guidelines

•Multiple legal challenges failed including Commerce Clause constitutional challenge and motion to dismiss indictment

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms $1.05M Award in Counterfeit KN95 Mask Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a $1,055,000 damages award against Vonnic, Inc. for selling counterfeit KN95 masks to Bluemar Promotions, LLC during the COVID-19 pandemic. The appellate court affirmed the district court's finding that Vonnic breached its contractual obligations by providing fake protective equipment.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed $1,055,000 damages award against Vonnic for selling counterfeit KN95 masks

•District court previously found Vonnic breached contract by providing fake protective equipment during pandemic

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Reviews Indonesian National's Immigration Appeal

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a memorandum decision in the case of Hendri Phang, an Indonesian citizen challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of his motion to reopen removal proceedings. The court partially granted and partially denied Phang's petition for review.

•Ninth Circuit partially granted Indonesian national Hendri Phang's immigration appeal

•BIA properly denied motion to reopen but failed to address sua sponte reopening request

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Wire Fraud Conviction of Michael Shirley

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and 87-month sentence of Michael Courtney Shirley for conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. Shirley had challenged both the sufficiency of evidence and jury instructions defining 'public official.'

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed Michael Shirley's conviction for honest services wire fraud and 87-month sentence

•Shirley challenged evidence sufficiency and jury instructions defining 'public official'

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Overturns 3 Child Porn Convictions in Florida Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed three child pornography convictions against Stephen Regis Jr., a Florida man who exploited underage girls by providing them with vapes, drugs, and alcohol in exchange for explicit images. The court ruled some images did not meet the federal statutory definition of child pornography.

•Stephen Regis Jr. exploited underage girls aged 12-15 through Snapchat, providing vapes, drugs, and alcohol for explicit images

•The Eleventh Circuit reversed three child pornography convictions while affirming 14 other convictions