Verdict . News

North Dakota Supreme Court

ND Supreme Court Affirms Conviction After Miranda Rights Challenge Forfeited

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Angel Alberto Torres-Sosa for kidnapping, attempted gross sexual imposition, and aggravated assault after he forfeited his Miranda rights challenge by failing to renew his objection during trial.

•Torres-Sosa was convicted of kidnapping, attempted gross sexual imposition, and aggravated assault

•He lost his Miranda rights challenge by failing to renew his objection during trial

North Dakota Supreme Court

North Dakota Supreme Court Dismisses UND Flight Instructor Class Action

The North Dakota Supreme Court granted a supervisory writ petition from the University of North Dakota, directing a lower court to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by flight instructor Andrew Sangster. The court ruled that Sangster's claims regarding unpaid wages for flight instructors were not authorized under state law because they did not arise from a contract.

•North Dakota Supreme Court dismissed a class action lawsuit by flight instructors claiming unpaid wages from UND

•The court ruled claims were not authorized under state law because they did not arise from a contract

•Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed district court's denial of self-defense immunity claim in involuntary manslaughter case

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Affirms Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed a district court ruling in a case where Cody McCalla entered a conditional plea of no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges following a fatal altercation with Patrick Mudd. McCalla had claimed self-defense immunity under Wyoming law but was unsuccessful in his appeal.

•Cody McCalla entered conditional plea of no contest while preserving right to appeal immunity ruling

•Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that will contests do not need to be filed as entirely separate civil actions from probate proceedings

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Rules on Will Contest Filing Requirements

The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Feb. 5 that will contest actions must be filed as separate civil cases, not within existing probate proceedings. The decision resolves a certified question from Fremont County District Court in an estate dispute involving the late Lloyd Haack.

•Decision resolves certified question from Fremont County District Court in estate dispute involving Lloyd Haack

North Dakota Supreme Court

ND Supreme Court Affirms Termination of Parental Rights in Indian Family Case

The North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a juvenile court's decision to terminate a mother's parental rights to two minor children. The court retained jurisdiction and remanded for additional findings on active efforts under state law governing Indian families.

•North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed juvenile court's findings that children were in need of protection and had suffered harm

•Court retained jurisdiction and remanded for additional findings on active efforts under Indian family protection statute

•Hawaii Supreme Court accepted certiorari petition filed by Steven Goo on Dec. 22, 2025

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court to Review Workplace Safety Case Against Royal Hawaiian Movers

The Hawaii Supreme Court has accepted a writ of certiorari in *Sumera v. Goo*, a workplace dispute involving employee Lester Sumera and Royal Hawaiian Movers management. The case will proceed to oral argument before the state's highest court.

•Case involves workplace dispute between employee Lester Sumera and Royal Hawaiian Movers management

•Rule 412 would restrict medical cost evidence to amounts actually paid or legally owed

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Proposes Rule Limiting Medical Bill Evidence

The Arkansas Supreme Court published a proposed Rule 412 for public comment that would restrict evidence of medical costs in personal injury cases to only amounts actually paid or legally owed. The rule responds to 2025 legislative changes and could significantly impact how medical damages are proven in court.

•The rule responds to 2025 Arkansas legislative changes regarding medical expense evidence

•Steven Valdez was convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated fleeing from law enforcement

New Mexico Supreme Court

New Mexico High Court Affirms Murder Conviction in Valdez Case

The New Mexico Supreme Court affirmed Steven Valdez's convictions for first-degree murder and related charges, rejecting his claims that the trial court improperly admitted evidence of prior bad acts against victim Brittney Skaggs. The court also upheld the denial of Valdez's motions to substitute appointed counsel.

•The New Mexico Supreme Court rejected Valdez's claim that prior bad acts evidence was improperly admitted at trial

•Nevada Supreme Court affirmed Isaiha Duckket's conviction for second-degree murder and other serious felonies

Nevada Supreme Court

Nevada Supreme Court Affirms Murder Conviction Despite Self-Representation

The Nevada Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Isaiha Duckket, who represented himself during his trial for second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon and other serious felonies. The court rejected Duckket's appeal claiming he was not competent to represent himself due to mental illness.

•Court rejected Duckket's claim that he was mentally incompetent to represent himself during trial