Verdict . News

3w ago•4 min read

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in three consolidated criminal appeals involving Derrick Walker

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Walker Criminal Appeal Arguments

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments March 5 in three consolidated criminal appeals involving defendant Derrick Walker, challenging convictions from Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas that were previously affirmed by the Superior Court.

•All three cases originated from Philadelphia County Court convictions entered March 1, 2022

3w ago•4 min read

•Justice Wecht authored majority opinion with Chief Justice Todd and Justice Donohue joining in full, Justice Brobson joining except Section V

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Issues Split Decision in Commonwealth v. Brown Appeal

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court delivered a divided opinion in Commonwealth v. Jamie Brown, partially affirming and partially vacating a Superior Court decision in a case involving a 2002 third-degree murder conviction. Justice Wecht authored the majority opinion with partial dissent on one section.

•Brown convicted of third-degree murder in 2002 for killing Aliquippa Police Officer James Naim, filed untimely PCRA petition in 2021

3w ago•4 min read

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals in three criminal cases involving Derrick Walker

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Hears Appeals in Derrick Walker Criminal Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard consolidated appeals on March 5, 2025, in three criminal cases involving defendant Derrick Walker. The state's highest court is reviewing Superior Court decisions that affirmed Walker's 2022 convictions from Philadelphia County.

•Superior Court previously affirmed Walker's 2022 Philadelphia County convictions in November 2023

•Court establishes material distinction between cause of death (immediate physiological processes) and manner of death (surrounding circumstances)

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Defines Death Classifications in Criminal Cases

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a definitive ruling in Commonwealth v. Fitzpatrick on January 21, 2026, establishing clear legal distinctions between 'cause of death' and 'manner of death' in criminal proceedings. The decision provides critical guidance for courts handling medical examiner testimony in murder cases.

•Ruling provides clear framework for medical examiner testimony in criminal cases

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld disciplinary action against Judge Mark B. Cohen for partisan political social media posts

PA Supreme Court Sets New Standard for Judges' Social Media Speech

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld disciplinary action against Philadelphia County Judge Mark B. Cohen for partisan political commentary on social media. The January 2026 ruling establishes that judges must limit their First Amendment rights while serving on the bench.

•Court ruled judges must 'park' some First Amendment rights while serving, regaining them upon retirement

Jan 21, 2026•5 min read

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld tax sale despite property selling for only 18% of appraised value

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Upholds Tax Sale at 18% of Property Value

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a tax sale was valid despite the property selling for only 18% of its appraised fair market value. The decision in *Ostapowicz v. Tioga County Tax Claim Bureau* establishes important precedent for when courts can overturn tax sales based on inadequate sale prices.

•Martin Ostapowicz lost 52.77-acre property worth $465,000 that sold for $83,000

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided insurance dispute over evidence preservation requirements

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules on Insurance Evidence Preservation Case

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a decision in a complex insurance dispute between Erie Insurance Exchange and United Services Automobile Association involving evidence preservation requirements after a vehicle fire. The case arose from USAA's failure to preserve a vehicle that Erie considered critical evidence.

•Erie Insurance Exchange sought reimbursement after USAA failed to preserve vehicle evidence

•Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that trial court orders compelling arbitration do not qualify as immediately appealable collateral orders

PA Supreme Court Rules Uber Arbitration Order Not Immediately Appealable

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that a trial court order compelling arbitration does not constitute an immediately appealable collateral order, vacating the Superior Court's judgment in a case involving Shannon and Keith Chilutti against Uber Technologies and related entities.

•The court vacated the Superior Court's judgment and ordered dismissal of the appeal in Chilutti v. Uber Technologies

•Eight consolidated appeals involving Chester Water Authority Trust reached Pennsylvania's highest court

PA Supreme Court Reviews Complex Chester Water Authority Trust Dispute

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May 2025 on eight consolidated appeals involving the Chester Water Authority Trust. The complex dispute has traveled through multiple court levels since 2019, involving trust administration and governance issues.

•Commonwealth Court previously reversed Delaware County Orphans' Division rulings from April 2020