Verdict . News

•Luna was convicted of intentional but not premeditated murder after fatally stabbing a teen who initiated a fight at Luna's home

Washington Supreme Court

Washington Supreme Court Reviews Teen Murder Case Involving Social Media

The Washington Supreme Court issued an opinion in State v. Luna, examining the murder conviction of teenager Lola Felipa Luna who fatally stabbed another teen with a pocketknife during a fight. The case addresses complex evidentiary issues involving social media posts and police interrogation of minors in self-defense claims.

•The case involved extensive social media evidence used by both prosecution and defense to establish mental state and self-defense claims

•Harris remains detained without bail on sexual assault charges involving a minor

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Hears Appeal on Pretrial Detention in Sexual Assault Case

The Utah Supreme Court issued a divided opinion in *State v. Harris*, addressing whether Christoffer Alan Harris should remain detained without bail while awaiting trial on sexual assault charges involving a minor. The case raises important questions about pretrial detention rights and jurisdictional authority.

•Utah Supreme Court issued a 3-2 split decision on jurisdictional authority to hear the appeal

•Utah Supreme Court sanctioned David Leavitt for violating professional conduct rules during a murder case press conference

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Sanctions Former County Attorney David Leavitt

The Utah Supreme Court has issued a disciplinary order against David Leavitt, former Utah County Attorney, for making improper public statements during a high-profile murder case. The discipline stems from a press conference where Leavitt announced seeking the death penalty against Jerrod Baum while making potentially prejudicial comments about the defendant's character and guilt.

•Leavitt made improper statements about defendant Jerrod Baum's character and guilt while announcing death penalty decision

Supreme Court of New Hampshire

NH Supreme Court Affirms Jurisdiction in Interstate Custody Case

The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's decision to retain exclusive jurisdiction over a child custody case involving unmarried parents Taylor Coyne and Ashley Blanchfield, despite the mother's relocation to Maine with their children.

•New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed Circuit Court's retention of exclusive jurisdiction over custody matter

•Mother Ashley Blanchfield had relocated to Maine with two children but agreed New Hampshire would maintain jurisdiction

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Oct 30, 2025•5 min read

Maine Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Hague Convention Return Petition

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a lower court's decision denying a Greek-Australian father's petition under the Hague Convention to return his child to Greece during divorce proceedings. The court found Peter Xamplas failed to file within the required timeframe and that mother Michele Xamplas successfully established the well-settled-child defense.

•Maine Supreme Court affirmed District Court's denial of Hague Convention petition seeking child's return to Greece

•Father Peter Xamplas failed to meet one-year filing deadline and mother Michele Xamplas successfully established well-settled-child defense

•Utah Supreme Court grants partial rehearing petition filed by Talisker Partnership

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Issues Amended Opinion in Talisker Real Estate Case

The Utah Supreme Court has issued an amended opinion in *Talisker Partnership v. Midtown Acquisitions L.P.*, granting in part Talisker's petition for rehearing and modifying key paragraphs of the original decision. The ruling represents a development in a major real estate dispute involving multiple Talisker entities and Wells Fargo Bank.

•Court modifies paragraphs 21, 29, and 30 of original opinion in complex real estate dispute

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts High Court Upholds GPS Monitoring for Attorney in $2M Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the imposition of GPS monitoring as a condition of pretrial release for attorney Benjamin Tariri, who is accused of embezzling nearly $2 million from nine clients. The court rejected Tariri's constitutional challenge to the tracking requirement.

•Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed GPS monitoring for attorney Benjamin Tariri accused of $2 million embezzlement

•Tariri was arrested at Logan Airport attempting to board flight to Iran with no return ticket

Supreme Court of Minnesota

Oct 29, 2025•4 min read

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Employer Immunity in Unemployment Cases

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in *Thaleaha McBee v. Team Industries, Inc.* that employers receive absolute immunity from civil lawsuits for information they submit to state unemployment agencies. The October 29, 2025 decision interprets Minnesota's unemployment statute to provide broad protection for employer statements made during benefits determinations.

•Minnesota Supreme Court rules employers have absolute immunity for unemployment benefits submissions

•Court interprets 'absolutely privileged' language in Minnesota Statutes section 268.19 to provide broad protection

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Oct 29, 2025•4 min read

SC Supreme Court Upholds Georgetown County Zoning in Restaurant Parking Case

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed Georgetown County's zoning decision allowing new restaurant construction in the Marlin Quay Planned Development. Gulfstream Café, Inc. had challenged the county's ordinance, claiming it violated shared parking easement rights.

•South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed Georgetown County's zoning decision allowing new restaurant construction in Marlin Quay Planned Development

•Gulfstream Café's challenge based on shared parking easement rights was rejected by both trial and appellate courts