Verdict . News

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

SC Supreme Court Affirms Death Sentence in 2002 Murder Case

The South Carolina Supreme Court has affirmed the death penalty conviction of Marion Alexander Lindsey, who shot and killed his estranged wife outside the Inman Police Department in 2002. The court rejected Lindsey's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel after an 18-year post-conviction relief process.

•Marion Alexander Lindsey shot and killed his estranged wife outside Inman Police Department in 2002

•Post-conviction relief proceedings spanned 18 years with multiple court reviews and appeals

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

SC Supreme Court Issues Mixed Ruling in Aiken County Class Action Case

The South Carolina Supreme Court delivered a split decision in Thompson v. Killian, a class action lawsuit against Aiken County and City officials. The high court affirmed parts of the lower court's ruling while reversing others, remanding the case back to circuit court.

•South Carolina Supreme Court delivered mixed ruling, affirming some aspects while reversing others

•Class action lawsuit involves multiple Aiken County and City officials sued in official capacities

Supreme Court of South Dakota

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

South Dakota High Court Rejects Speedy Trial Challenge in State v. Longchase

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court's denial of Soloman B. Longchase's motion to dismiss criminal charges based on alleged speedy trial violations. The court also addressed constitutional challenges to requiring defendants to reimburse counties for court-appointed attorney fees.

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed denial of motion to dismiss criminal charges based on speedy trial violation claims

•Case involved five charges including aggravated assault, kidnapping, and grand theft stemming from August 2022 conduct

•Texas Supreme Court ruled that Dr. Gonzalez can pursue constitutional challenges against the Texas Medical Board's investigation

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Doctor's Campaign Speech vs. Medical Board

The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dr. Reynaldo 'Rey' Gonzalez Jr., who was investigated by the Texas Medical Board for calling himself a 'physician' during his congressional campaign despite lacking a medical license. The court held that certain constitutional claims should proceed against the medical board.

•The medical board investigated Gonzalez for campaign speech, not medical practice violations

•Texas Supreme Court reversed parental rights termination when state agency representative twice stated they sought only restriction, not termination

Texas Supreme Court Reverses Parental Rights Termination

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a trial court's termination of parental rights after the Department of Family and Protective Services' representative twice stated the agency sought only to restrict, not terminate, a mother's rights. The Court ruled trial courts cannot terminate parental rights when faced with unequivocal statements from the department indicating they do not seek such measures.

•Court established that trial courts cannot terminate parental rights when faced with unequivocal statements from department withdrawing termination as relief

Oct 31, 2025•5 min read

•Texas Supreme Court denied review in City of Houston v. Ashley Harris, leaving circuit split unresolved

Texas Supreme Court Declines Review on Superseded Admissions Question

The Texas Supreme Court denied review in City of Houston v. Ashley Harris, leaving unresolved a circuit split between Houston appeals courts on whether superseded admissions constitute evidence that can preclude summary judgment. Justice Young's concurrence highlighted the procedural uncertainty facing trial courts when parties amend their admissions during litigation.

•Houston appeals courts disagree on whether superseded admissions constitute evidence that can defeat summary judgment

•Texas Supreme Court denied review in subsurface trespass case involving mineral estate interference

Texas Supreme Court Denies Review in Mineral Rights Trespass Case

The Texas Supreme Court denied review in Ageron Energy, LLC v. ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., a case involving subsurface trespass claims against neighboring mineral estates. Justice Busby's concurrence warns that the lower court's decision undermines important protections for mineral rights holders.

•Justice Busby's concurrence criticizes appeals court for potentially barring future claims through improper application of res judicata

•Illinois Supreme Court rules trial courts must decide directed verdict motions before proceeding to defense evidence

Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Timing of Directed Verdict Motions

The Illinois Supreme Court held that trial courts must rule on defendants' mid-trial motions for directed verdict before proceeding to defense evidence. In People v. Johnson, the court affirmed the defendant's conviction despite finding procedural error, ruling the mistake did not warrant reversal under the plain error standard.

•Court affirmed defendant's conviction despite procedural error, finding evidence was not closely balanced

•Texas Supreme Court granted conditional mandamus relief against trial court that violated TCPA appeal stay

Texas Supreme Court Issues Mandamus Relief in TCPA Appeal Stay Case

The Supreme Court of Texas conditionally granted mandamus relief against a trial court that violated statutory stay provisions by issuing orders during a pending Texas Citizens Participation Act appeal. The high court directed the trial court to vacate its unauthorized order awarding attorney's fees.

•Trial court improperly entertained motions and issued attorney's fees order during statutory stay period