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West Virginia Supreme Court

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

West Virginia High Court Denies Habeas Appeal in Police Officer Murder

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's denial of habeas corpus relief for Thomas E. Leftwich, who was convicted in 2008 of murdering an undercover Beckley police officer. The high court rejected claims of ineffective habeas counsel and found other grounds barred by res judicata.

•West Virginia Supreme Court affirmed denial of Thomas Leftwich's second habeas corpus petition

•Leftwich was convicted in 2008 of murdering an undercover Beckley police officer and sentenced to life without parole

•Wyoming Supreme Court reversed Steve Brandon Brown's two witness intimidation convictions due to insufficient evidence

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming Supreme Court Reverses Witness Intimidation Convictions

The Wyoming Supreme Court reversed two witness intimidation convictions against Steve Brandon Brown on January 13, 2026, ruling that the state failed to present sufficient evidence to support the charges. Brown had been convicted for statements made during a supervised visit with his daughters and a Facebook post.

•Brown was originally convicted based on statements made during supervised visit with daughters and Facebook posts

•Colorado Supreme Court affirmed that medical records remain protected by physician-patient privilege in child abuse cases

Colorado Supreme Court Limits Child Abuse Evidence in Hospital Records Case

The Colorado Supreme Court issued a split decision Tuesday in *People v. Soron*, ruling that medical records remain protected by physician-patient privilege even in child abuse cases, while requiring additional findings on body-camera evidence from police officers present during hospital treatment.

•Court clarified that child abuse exception to privilege applies only to testimony, not documentary evidence

•Delaware Supreme Court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded case between J&J and former Auris Health stockholders

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Issues Split Decision in J&J-Auris Health Case

The Delaware Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in a dispute between Johnson & Johnson and former Auris Health stockholders over the pharmaceutical giant's 2019 acquisition of the surgical robotics company. The court affirmed some aspects of the lower court's decision while reversing others and remanding portions of the case.

•Dispute centers on post-closing earnout provisions from J&J's acquisition of medical robotics company Auris Health

•Colorado Supreme Court issued unanimous en banc decision in People v. Castorena on January 12, 2026

Colorado Supreme Court Issues En Banc Decision in People v. Castorena

The Colorado Supreme Court issued an en banc opinion on January 12, 2026, in *People v. Juan Manuel Castorena*, addressing procedural questions involving both the First and Seventeenth Judicial Districts. The case, designated as 2026 CO 2, originated as an original proceeding under Colorado Appellate Rule 21 from Adams County District Court.

•Case involves original proceeding under Colorado Appellate Rule 21 addressing Criminal Procedure Rule 16(I)(c)(2)

•Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari to review Court of Appeals jurisdictional dismissal of father's appeal in child custody matter

Colorado Supreme Court Takes Jurisdictional Question in Father's Rights Case

The Colorado Supreme Court granted a petition for writ of certiorari in T.L.P. v. The People of the State of Colorado, agreeing to review whether the Court of Appeals erred in dismissing a father's appeal for lack of jurisdiction. The high court reframed the case to focus solely on the jurisdictional question while denying review of all other issues.

•High court reframed case to focus solely on jurisdictional question while denying review of all other issues

•Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari in Twin Shores Master Owners Association v. Willis

Colorado Supreme Court to Review HOA Guest Injury Liability Standards

The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to review a premises liability case that could reshape how homeowners associations are held liable for injuries to unit owners' guests in common areas. The case centers on whether guests automatically receive 'invitee' status under Colorado's Premises Liability Act when injured on HOA-controlled property.

•Case involves interpretation of invitee status under Colorado's Premises Liability Act

•Colorado Supreme Court grants certiorari in Trujillo v. Colorado case on January 12, 2026

Colorado Supreme Court Reviews Pre-Testimony Witness Retaliation Laws

The Colorado Supreme Court granted certiorari in *Trujillo v. Colorado* to examine whether state witness retaliation laws apply when victims have not yet testified or been scheduled to testify, challenging a 1999 precedent.

•Case challenges 1999 People v. Hickman precedent on when witness retaliation laws apply

•Colorado Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a district court must allow a second competency evaluation after initially ordering one

Colorado Supreme Court Orders Second Competency Evaluation in Criminal Case

The Colorado Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a district court erred in denying a defendant's request for a second competency evaluation after initially ordering one. The court held that once a competency evaluation is ordered, proper statutory procedures must be followed.

•Court rejected trial judge's attempt to retroactively deny the request based on dilatory tactics concerns