Verdict . News

2w ago•4 min read

•Fifth Circuit affirmed denial of coram nobis petition without detailed explanation

5th Circuit Affirms Denial of Coram Nobis Petition in Wire Fraud Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of Eugene J. Lockhart Jr.'s petition for writ of coram nobis, an extraordinary legal remedy seeking to overturn his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The brief ruling represents the latest development in a case that originated in 2009 in the Northern District of Texas.

•Lockhart originally pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving wire fraud and bank fraud

•Dr. Leovares Mendez convicted on seven federal charges for unlawfully prescribing controlled substances at Texas clinic

Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Doctor's 84-Month Prison Sentence

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and 84-month prison sentence of Dr. Leovares Mendez, who unlawfully prescribed controlled substances at his Garland, Texas medical clinic. The appeals court rejected challenges to jury instructions, evidence sufficiency, and sentencing enhancement.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 84-month prison sentence, rejecting appeals on jury instructions and evidence sufficiency

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

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.

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

•Fifth Circuit affirmed qualified immunity for Dallas County Jail Officer Annette Grant

5th Circuit Affirms Qualified Immunity for Dallas Jail Officer in Inmate Death

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld qualified immunity for Dallas County Jail Officer Annette Grant in an excessive force case brought by the mother of Shamond Lewis, who died during pretrial detention. The court found that any constitutional violation was not clearly established at the time of the incident.

•Shamond Lewis died during pretrial detention following disputed use of force incident

•Fifth Circuit partially affirmed and partially reversed dismissal of Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit

5th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Suit in Hit-and-Run Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed in part and reversed in part a district court's dismissal of a civil rights lawsuit filed by pro se litigant Joseph Eurings against Officer Jacob Tucker and pharmacist Lishunda Franklin. The case stemmed from an alleged hit-and-run accident that left Eurings with serious injuries.

•Pro se plaintiff Joseph Eurings sued Officer Jacob Tucker and pharmacist Lishunda Franklin over 2021 hit-and-run incident

•Jackson challenges his conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) as facially unconstitutional under the Second Amendment

5th Circuit Reviews Gun Law Challenge in Post-Bruen Framework

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is considering a constitutional challenge to federal gun possession laws brought by Cedric Cornell Jackson, who argues that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) violates Second Amendment rights under the Supreme Court's Bruen decision.

•The case tests how federal gun possession laws hold up under the Supreme Court's Bruen decision framework

•Calcasieu Parish sued eight insurers over Hurricane Laura and Delta claims from 2020

5th Circuit Hears Parish Insurance Dispute Over Hurricane Claims

The Police Jury of Calcasieu Parish faces eight insurance companies in federal appeals court over coverage disputes stemming from Hurricane Laura and Delta damage in 2020. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a complex case involving surplus line insurance and jurisdictional questions.

•The case involves a complex surplus line insurance policy with foreign and domestic insurers

•Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing all wrongful death claims against Monroe defendants

5th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Monroe Police Custody Death Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment favoring the City of Monroe and other defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from David Harris's death in police custody.

•Case involved David Harris's death in police custody with claims against city, officers, and hospital

3w ago•2 min read

•Defendant appeals bank fraud conspiracy conviction under sealed identity protections

Fifth Circuit Reviews Bank Fraud Conviction with Sealed Identity

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a bank fraud conspiracy conviction from Louisiana federal court, where a defendant whose identity remains sealed is challenging the district court's sentencing calculation and vulnerable-victim enhancements.

•Case challenges district court's calculation of financial loss under federal sentencing guidelines