Verdict . News

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

5d ago•4 min read

7th Circuit Upholds School Employee Terminations Over COVID Testing Refusal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Title VII claims brought by three Illinois school employees who were terminated after refusing both COVID-19 vaccination and weekly testing on religious grounds. The February 13, 2026 decision addresses religious accommodation requirements during pandemic health mandates.

•Three Illinois school employees were terminated after refusing both COVID-19 vaccination and weekly testing on religious grounds

•The Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of Title VII claims, finding insufficient identification of specific religious beliefs violated by testing

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Ruling in Civil Rights Case Over Linda Henry Murder

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a precedential decision February 12 in a civil rights lawsuit filed by the estate of Linda Henry against Benzie County and sheriff's deputies. The case stems from Henry's February 2022 murder by her neighbor, with allegations that law enforcement's selective enforcement contributed to her death.

•Sixth Circuit designated the ruling for publication, indicating significant legal precedent

•Case involves civil rights claims against Benzie County and four sheriff's deputies

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Civil Rights Groups Challenge Texas Election Laws in Fifth Circuit

A coalition of civil rights organizations has appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging Texas election policies implemented under Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The consolidated cases represent multiple voting rights groups seeking to overturn state election procedures they argue restrict voter access.

•Coalition of 10+ civil rights groups appeals Texas election policies to Fifth Circuit Court

•Consolidated cases challenge Governor Abbott, Attorney General Paxton, and state election procedures

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Denies En Banc Review in Lansing Police Death Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition for rehearing en banc in *Romero v. City of Lansing*, a civil rights lawsuit involving the death of Stephen Romero and allegations of excessive force by Lansing police officers. The decision reveals sharp divisions among circuit judges on police accountability issues.

•Sixth Circuit denied petition for full court review in civil rights lawsuit over Stephen Romero's death involving Lansing police officers

•Multiple judicial opinions revealed sharp divisions among circuit judges on police accountability and qualified immunity issues

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Revisits Police Excessive Force Case After Supreme Court Remand

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is reconsidering a case involving Minneapolis Police Officer Benjamin Bauer, who shot 19-year-old Ethan Marks with a chemical-filled projectile from close range, causing severe injuries including a ruptured eyeball and traumatic brain injury. The Supreme Court vacated the previous ruling and remanded for reconsideration in light of Barnes v. Felix.

•19-year-old Ethan Marks suffered ruptured eyeball, fractured eye socket, and traumatic brain injury from police chemical projectile fired at close range

•Supreme Court vacated Eighth Circuit's previous ruling and remanded for reconsideration in light of Barnes v. Felix precedent

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reverses Qualified Immunity Denial for Missouri Trooper

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's denial of qualified immunity to Missouri State Trooper Dylon Wyatt in an excessive force case involving police canine deployment. The federal appeals court remanded with instructions to dismiss claims against the trooper.

•Eighth Circuit reversed district court's denial of qualified immunity for Missouri State Trooper Dylon Wyatt

•Case involved excessive force allegations related to police canine deployment during November 2020 arrest

State Court

Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Housing Bias Lawsuit

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a Superior Court's dismissal of a $200,000 lawsuit filed by tenant Fatima Touijer against the Providence Housing Authority and manager Aida Bello. The case was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds without prejudice.

•Tenant sought $200,000 from Providence Housing Authority over alleged religious discrimination

•Superior Court dismissed case on jurisdictional grounds without prejudice in October 2024

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•4 min read

4th Circuit Affirms District Court in Lynchburg Electoral Board Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed a lower court decision in Christine Gibbons v. Betty Ann Gibbs, rejecting Gibbons' appeal against Lynchburg Electoral Board officials. The three-judge panel ruled that Gibbons failed to properly preserve evidence for appellate review and found no abuse of discretion in the district court's evidentiary rulings.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed district court decision rejecting Christine Gibbons' claims against Lynchburg Electoral Board officials

•Court ruled Gibbons failed to properly proffer evidence for appellate review, forfeiting her right to challenge evidentiary rulings

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•4 min read

9th Circuit Denies GEO Group Rehearing in Washington Detention Law Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied GEO Group's petition for panel rehearing and en banc review in a case challenging Washington's House Bill 1470, which regulates conditions at immigration detention facilities. The court previously vacated a lower court's preliminary injunction that would have blocked enforcement of the state law.

•Ninth Circuit denied GEO Group's petition for panel rehearing and en banc review of Washington's HB 1470

•Court previously vacated preliminary injunction blocking state law protecting civil detainees at immigration facility