Verdict . News

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Detroit Water Employee Discrimination Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of racial discrimination claims brought by LaDonna Blewett against the City of Detroit and her supervisor at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. The appeals court upheld summary judgment on all federal and state law claims.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of racial discrimination claims by Detroit Water Department employee LaDonna Blewett

•Court upheld summary judgment against both the City of Detroit and supervisor Nikole Howard-Whisett on federal and state law claims

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

10th Circuit Reviews Wrongful Conviction Case of Exonerated Kansas Man

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a civil rights lawsuit filed by the estate of Olin Coones, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 12 years in prison before being exonerated. Coones died shortly after his release, and his widow is pursuing claims against Wyandotte County officials.

•Olin Coones was wrongfully convicted of murder in 2009 and spent 12 years in prison before exoneration

•Evidence later showed the actual victim had committed the crimes and framed Coones

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•5 min read

11th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment Against Former Police Officer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of the City of Sylvester, Georgia, and Police Chief Raymond Drennon in an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by former police officer Demetric King. The appeals court upheld the lower court's determination that King failed to demonstrate his termination was racially motivated or retaliatory.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for City of Sylvester and Police Chief

•Former officer failed to prove racial discrimination or retaliation in termination

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Reviews DeSoto County Redistricting Mandamus Petition

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing a petition for writ of mandamus filed by DeSoto County, Mississippi, and its election officials challenging a district court ruling in a voting rights case. The dispute centers on the county's 2022 redistricting map following the 2020 census.

•DeSoto County, Mississippi filed a mandamus petition with the Fifth Circuit challenging a district court's handling of a voting rights lawsuit

•The dispute involves the county's 2022 redistricting map completed after the 2020 census showed population growth

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity for Washington Health Officials

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials accused of terminating an employee in retaliation for protected First Amendment speech. The ruling allows Erika Henry's federal civil rights lawsuit to proceed against officials Umair Shah, Jessica Todorovich, and Roy Calica.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of qualified immunity for three Washington Department of Health officials in First Amendment retaliation case

•Erika Henry alleges her termination violated her constitutional right to free speech

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms Jury Verdict for Graham County Sheriff in Custody Death Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a jury verdict finding Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred not liable for the death of Jorden Simms, who died after jumping from a moving transport vehicle while in county custody. The appeals court rejected arguments that jury instructions were confusing regarding multiple defendants.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed jury verdict finding Graham County Sheriff not liable for custody death

•Jorden Simms died after jumping from moving transport vehicle while in county custody

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Dismisses Gender Discrimination Appeal for Lack of Jurisdiction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed an employment discrimination appeal by Darnetta Tyus against the City of College Park, Georgia, ruling it lacked jurisdiction because the district court's partial summary judgment order was not final and appealable.

•Eleventh Circuit dismissed Tyus's appeal for lack of jurisdiction due to pending co-plaintiff claims

•District court's partial summary judgment resolved Tyus's discrimination claims but left McCrary's claims pending

State Court

•Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Carter's motion for reconsideration on January 20, 2026

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Dismisses Police Lawsuit Appeal by Samuel Carter

The Hawaii Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Carter's motion for reconsideration in his lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department and multiple officers. The court ruled that its December 2025 decision rejecting Carter's certiorari petition is final and cannot be reconsidered under state appellate rules.

•Court ruled its December 2025 certiorari rejection is final under appellate rules

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

10th Circuit Reviews Police Accountability Case Against Denver

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has issued a ruling in Mendenhall v. City and County of Denver, a municipal liability case that attracted support from prominent civil rights organizations and legal scholars. The federal appeals court determined the case without oral argument after reviewing briefs and the appellate record.

•Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued ruling in municipal liability case against Denver

•Multiple civil rights organizations and legal scholars filed amicus briefs supporting police accountability