Verdict . News

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•State court granted motions to suppress evidence and dismissed all criminal charges

8th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Iowa Officers in Civil Rights Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Iowa police officers and municipalities in a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit. Plaintiffs Rene Valdivia and Alexis Free had successfully suppressed evidence and obtained dismissal of all criminal charges in state court before filing their federal civil rights claims.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for all defendants

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Stephan Haley received 384 months (32 years) in federal prison for drug, fraud, and money laundering offenses

8th Circuit Upholds 32-Year Sentence for Iowa Drug Trafficking Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied relief to Stephan Rashad Haley, who was sentenced to 384 months in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering charges in two consolidated federal cases.

•The Eighth Circuit affirmed the sentence, rejecting challenges to a drug premises enhancement

Jan 5, 2026•1 min read

•Eighth Circuit affirmed complete dismissal of physician assistant's discrimination claims against MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center

8th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Hospital Worker's ADA, FMLA Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment dismissing all discrimination claims brought by former MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center physician assistant Michelle Siebrecht. The appeals court upheld the district court's ruling that rejected Siebrecht's allegations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Iowa Civil Rights Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act.

•Case involved allegations under Americans with Disabilities Act, Iowa Civil Rights Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Defendant rejected 120-month mandatory minimum plea deal before pleading guilty without agreement

8th Circuit Upholds Child Torture Sentence After Rejected Plea Deal

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on an appeal by Trina Mae Johnson, who pleaded guilty to multiple child abuse charges including torture, neglect, endangerment, and assault with a dangerous weapon after rejecting a government plea agreement offering a 120-month mandatory minimum sentence.

•Johnson faced charges for child torture, neglect, endangerment, and assault with dangerous weapon

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Federal district court ruled Missouri's Halloween sign law for sex offenders violates First Amendment

8th Circuit Reviews Missouri Sex Offender Halloween Sign Law After District Court Ban

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a district court ruling that permanently enjoined enforcement of a Missouri law requiring registered sex offenders to post Halloween signs. Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged the statute on First Amendment grounds.

•Thomas Sanderson successfully challenged requirement to post "No candy or treats" signs