Verdict . News

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Eric Shepherd received the statutory maximum 50-year sentence for enticing a minor to participate in sexually explicit visual depictions

6th Circuit Upholds 50-Year Prison Term for Child Exploitation

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a maximum 50-year prison sentence for Eric Kelsey Shepherd, who pleaded guilty to enticing a minor to participate in sexually explicit visual depictions. The federal appellate court rejected Shepherd's challenge to his sentencing guidelines calculations and his request for concurrent sentencing with anticipated state charges.

•The Sixth Circuit rejected his appeal challenging sentencing guidelines calculations and concurrent sentencing requests

•Sixth Circuit affirmed denial of qualified immunity to two Detroit police officers in wrongful conviction case

6th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity to Detroit Police in Wrongful Conviction Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court's denial of qualified immunity to Detroit police officers accused of misconduct that led to Lacino Hamilton's wrongful murder conviction. Hamilton served 26 years in prison before his conviction was vacated by Wayne County's Conviction Integrity Unit.

•Lacino Hamilton served 26 years for murder before Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit vacated his conviction

•Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued published decision in wrongful death medical malpractice case

6th Circuit Issues Decision in Booth v. Lazzara Medical Malpractice Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a decision in Brandi Booth v. Jonathan Lazzara, a medical malpractice and wrongful death case involving the estate of Dustin Booth against multiple defendants including the City of Monroe, Ohio.

•Case involves estate of Dustin Booth against doctor and City of Monroe, Ohio among other defendants

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing all discrimination and retaliation claims

6th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment Against Detroit Water Employee

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment in favor of the City of Detroit and supervisors in a discrimination lawsuit filed by former water department employee Carlotta Collins. Collins alleged race and sex discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment during her employment with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

•Collins was terminated while her discrimination lawsuit was pending against Detroit Water Department

Jan 14, 2026•5 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed complete dismissal of employment discrimination lawsuit against Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority

6th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Housing Officer's Civil Rights Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court's complete dismissal of William Shelton's lawsuit against the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. The appeals court upheld the dismissal of Shelton's First Amendment claims as untimely filed and affirmed summary judgment in favor of CMHA on his Title VII discrimination claims.

•First Amendment claims dismissed as untimely filed beyond statute of limitations period

•Sixth Circuit reversed district court's grant of summary judgment dismissing legal malpractice claims on statute of limitations grounds

6th Circuit Reverses Summary Judgment in Legal Malpractice Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a precedent-setting decision in Stacy Cales v. Theisen Brock LPA, reversing a district court's grant of summary judgment that had dismissed legal malpractice claims on statute of limitations grounds. The ruling, recommended for publication, establishes important precedent for legal malpractice cases in federal court.

•Decision recommended for publication, establishing precedent for future legal malpractice cases in the circuit

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed district court's dismissal of PLBCA's tort claims against Church Mutual Insurance

6th Circuit Affirms Insurance Sub-Limit in Religious Building Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling that upheld a $100,000 insurance sub-limit for code-compliance costs in a dispute between Piatt Lake Bible Conference Association and Church Mutual Insurance Company. The religious organization sought $1.3 million in additional coverage after a building collapse.

•Court upheld $100,000 insurance sub-limit for code-compliance costs despite insurer's statements about full replacement coverage

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed conviction for felon firearm possession

6th Circuit Affirms Felon Firearm Sentence in Published Opinion

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Robert Messersmith for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The published decision rejected Messersmith's claims of plea agreement breach and unreasonable sentencing.

•Court rejected claims of plea agreement breach by government

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of civil rights claims against nine law enforcement officers from multiple agencies

6th Circuit Reviews Civil Rights Claims in Airport Detention Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of Brian W. Benderoff's civil rights claims against nine law enforcement officers. The case involved allegations of unlawful detention and malicious prosecution stemming from a 2016 incident at Detroit Airport.

•Case centered on whether officers acted under federal or state authority during 2016 Detroit Airport detention