Verdict . News

•Defense counsel successfully withdrew under Rule 26(c) after determining the appeal lacked merit

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Denies Appeal in Attempted Murder Case

The Delaware Supreme Court denied Reginald Fayton's direct appeal from his attempted first-degree murder conviction after his defense counsel filed a motion to withdraw under Rule 26(c), determining the appeal lacked merit. The court issued its order on January 9, 2026, following a domestic violence case that escalated to serious criminal charges.

•Fayton was convicted of attempted first-degree murder following a domestic violence escalation in 2023

•Vermont Supreme Court affirmed family court's termination of mother's parental rights to son H.B.

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Affirms Termination of Parental Rights

The Vermont Supreme Court upheld a family court's decision to terminate a mother's parental rights to her son H.B., who was removed from her care at age one in 2022. The state alleged the child was at imminent risk due to the mother's inability to ensure his safety or meet basic needs.

•Child was removed at age one in 2022 due to unsafe living conditions and mother's inability to provide care

•Vermont Supreme Court affirmed Employment Security Board's decision granting unemployment benefits to fired paralegal

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Affirms Paralegal's Unemployment Benefits

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed an Employment Security Board decision granting unemployment compensation to a paralegal fired by Stevens Law Office. The law firm argued Kylie Cordner was terminated for work-related misconduct, but the court upheld the finding that her discharge did not constitute disqualifying misconduct.

•Stevens Law Office failed to prove termination for inadequate performance constituted work-related misconduct

•Vermont Supreme Court affirmed termination of father's parental rights to two children

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Affirms Termination of Father's Parental Rights

The Vermont Supreme Court has affirmed a family court's decision to terminate a father's parental rights to his two young children following substance abuse issues. The father had appealed the lower court's ruling, arguing procedural errors and challenging findings about changed circumstances.

•Case involved substance abuse including crack cocaine, heroin, and alcohol by both parents

•Iowa Supreme Court vacated criminal convictions and dispositional orders over court cost assessment dispute

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Vacates Criminal Convictions Over Court Cost Dispute

The Iowa Supreme Court vacated convictions and remanded cases involving Ronald Richard Pagliai, ruling on whether courts can assess costs in dismissed criminal cases through plea agreements. The decision, filed January 9, 2026, addresses judicial authority in criminal case dispositions.

•Case involved plea agreement requiring defendant to pay costs in dismissed criminal cases

•Idaho Supreme Court affirmed lower court ruling in medical billing collection case

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Affirms Ruling in Medical Billing Case

The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a district court decision involving Ridgeline Medical, LLC's collection action against David Lyon, with the case centering on a constitutional challenge to the Idaho Patient Act.

•Case involved constitutional challenge to Idaho Patient Act provisions

•Iowa Supreme Court grants district courts authority to reform defective easement deeds to match original party intent

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Grants District Courts Power to Reform Easement Deeds

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled that district courts have the authority to reform faulty easement deeds to align with the original intent of property grantors and parties' actual agreements. The decision in *Fink v. Lawson* reversed lower court rulings and establishes new precedent for resolving property access disputes.

•Unanimous decision reverses lower courts in waterfront access dispute between Fink and Lawson families

•Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of defamation claims filed more than three years after alleged statements were made

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Dismisses Defamation Suit on Statute of Limitations

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the dismissal of a defamation lawsuit filed by former information security executive Linda Betz against four former colleagues, ruling that her claims were barred by the three-year statute of limitations. The decision reverses a court of appeals ruling and ends Betz's second lawsuit following her unsuccessful discrimination case.

•Former information security executive Linda Betz lost second lawsuit following unsuccessful discrimination case

•Texas Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals ruling that dismissed Chapter 252 claims against City of Houston

Texas Supreme Court

Texas Supreme Court Orders Discovery in $50K Municipal Contract Case

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision and ordered jurisdictional discovery in a case where restaurant operators alleged the City of Houston violated state procurement laws by entering into a contract exceeding $50,000 without proper procedures.

•Case involves alleged violation of procurement laws in awarding Hobby Airport concessions contract exceeding $50,000