Verdict . News

•Eighth Circuit rejected Second Amendment challenge to federal felon-in-possession law

8th Circuit Rejects Second Amendment Challenge to Felon Gun Ban

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit rejected a constitutional challenge to federal law prohibiting felons from possessing firearms. Juwan Crawford argued that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) violated his Second Amendment rights, but the court upheld existing precedent affirming the statute's constitutionality.

•Crawford pleaded guilty while reserving right to appeal constitutional question

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court's dismissal of excessive force claim against Minneapolis police officer

8th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Excessive Force Claim Against Minneapolis Officer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of an excessive force lawsuit filed by Debbie Tucker against Minneapolis Police Officer Alejandro Boldo. Tucker claimed Boldo used excessive force when he closed a car door on her leg during a traffic stop.

•Incident occurred during traffic stop of vehicle illegally parked in handicapped spot with driver who had outstanding felony warrants

•Eighth Circuit affirmed jury verdict against Minnesota Medical University and Philip Keithahn for construction fraud and breach of contract

8th Circuit Affirms Jury Verdict Against Medical University in Construction Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a jury verdict finding Minnesota Medical University and Philip Keithahn liable for breach of contract, indemnification, negligent misrepresentation, and fraud by omission in a construction dispute. The case stemmed from a failed osteopathic medical school project in Gaylord, Minnesota.

•Case involved failed osteopathic medical school project in Gaylord, Minnesota with bond financing structure

•Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Freedom Mortgage in FCRA dispute

8th Circuit Affirms Freedom Mortgage Win in Credit Reporting Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Freedom Mortgage Corporation in a Fair Credit Reporting Act case brought by homeowners Lea and Samantha Johnson.

•Johnsons claimed mortgage servicer provided inaccurate credit information

•Eighth Circuit decided pipeline dispute between Andeavor Logistics and 45 Native American allottees on Fort Berthold Reservation

8th Circuit Rules in Pipeline Dispute on Fort Berthold Reservation

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decided a complex pipeline dispute between Andeavor Logistics and Native American allottees with beneficial ownership interests in trust lands on North Dakota's Fort Berthold Reservation. The case involves the 500-mile High Plains Pipeline system and represents years of litigation over oil and gas infrastructure rights.

•Case involves 500-mile High Plains Pipeline system affecting Indian trust lands in North Dakota

2w ago•5 min read

•Eighth Circuit reversed district court dismissal, finding 'termination' language ambiguous

8th Circuit Reverses Contract Dispute Over 'Termination' Definition

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a contract dispute between Reinhardt Enterprises and Kaseya U.S., finding that the term 'termination' was ambiguous in their business agreement. The case centers on whether letting a contract expire constitutes 'termination' triggering buyout fee obligations.

•Case involves dispute over whether non-renewal of contract constitutes 'termination'

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

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.

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

3w ago•4 min read

•Eighth Circuit affirmed career offender status despite defendant's hemp/cannabis legal distinction argument

8th Circuit Upholds Career Offender Status in Cannabis Conviction Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to classify Jesus Alfonso Ruiz as a career offender, rejecting his argument that his 2015 Illinois cannabis conviction should not count as a predicate offense. Ruiz received a 210-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances.

•Court held state drug convictions can qualify as predicates even when substances differ from federal controlled substances

3w ago•4 min read

•Eighth Circuit affirmed consecutive 18-month federal sentence for supervised release violation

8th Circuit Upholds Consecutive Federal Sentence for Release Violation

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a federal district court's decision to impose an 18-month consecutive prison sentence on William Snoddy after he was convicted of manslaughter and weapons possession in Nebraska state court while on federal supervised release. Snoddy argued the consecutive sentencing would prevent his participation in state prison programs, but the appeals court disagreed.

•Defendant convicted of manslaughter and weapons possession while on federal supervision