Verdict . News

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

6d ago•4 min read

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

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Reviews Civil Rights Case Against Lexington Police

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is reviewing a civil rights lawsuit filed by three black residents against police officers and the City of Lexington, Mississippi, a small segregated town in Holmes County.

•Three black residents sued Lexington, Mississippi police officers and city for civil rights violations

•Lexington is described as a 'tiny and deeply segregated town' with 1,500 black and 300 white residents

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Rules on Police Excessive Force During Mental Health Crisis

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a published decision in Castro-Reyes v. City of Opa-Locka, addressing police use of force during a mental health emergency. The case involves allegations that four Florida police officers used excessive force while detaining Jafet Castro-Reyes under the state's Baker Act.

•Eleventh Circuit issued published decision in police excessive force case during mental health crisis

•Four Opa-Locka officers allegedly tased, punched, and dragged suspect during Baker Act detention

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Addresses Police Traffic Stop Case in Jarvis v. Daytona Beach

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled on appeals by Daytona Beach police officers Marville Tucker and James Mackenzie regarding denied summary judgment motions in a civil rights case brought by Kary Jarvis. The case involves a traffic stop conducted pursuant to an anonymous tip and subsequent consent search requests.

•Eleventh Circuit addressed appeals by Daytona Beach officers Tucker and Mackenzie regarding denied summary judgment motions in civil rights case

•Case involves traffic stop conducted pursuant to anonymous tip and subsequent consent search request after written warning issued

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Upholds San Antonio Officer's Termination Over Off-Duty Incident

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the termination of probationary San Antonio police officer Lucy Abajian-Salon, who was fired after an off-duty confrontation with construction workers in her neighborhood resulted in property damage allegations.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed termination of probationary San Antonio police officer Lucy Abajian-Salon following off-duty incident with construction workers

•Officer's federal discrimination lawsuit under Title VII, Section 1981, and Texas Labor Code was dismissed by district court and upheld on appeal

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity to Officer in Fatal Shooting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Arnold Oliver III in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the 2021 shooting of Jonathan Pears, a veteran with PTSD. The February 5, 2026 ruling allows the civil rights case to proceed against the officer.

•Eleventh Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Arnold Oliver III in wrongful death case involving veteran Jonathan Pears

•Court found officer's use of force was excessive and violated clearly established constitutional law

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•4 min read

6th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Covington Police in Hotel Incident

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of the City of Covington Police Department and five officers in a civil rights lawsuit stemming from a 3:30 a.m. hotel lobby altercation following a wedding reception.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Covington Police Department and five officers in civil rights lawsuit

•Incident stemmed from 3:30 a.m. hotel lobby altercation following wedding reception involving intoxicated guests

•Hawaii Supreme Court rejected Austin Rosa's certiorari petition against Kauai Police Department and county officials

State Court

2w ago•4 min read

Supreme Court of Hawaii

Hawaii Supreme Court Rejects Police Misconduct Appeal by Austin Rosa

The Hawaii Supreme Court rejected a petition for review in *Rosa v. Kaua'i Police Department*, ending a civil rights lawsuit by self-represented plaintiff Austin Rosa against the Kauai Police Department, prosecutor's office, and county government. The February 4, 2026 order represents the final appellate option in Hawaii's state court system.

•Self-represented plaintiff exhausted all state court appeals following adverse Intermediate Court of Appeals ruling

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

2w ago•4 min read

8th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Excessive Force Claim Against Minneapolis Officer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of an excessive force lawsuit filed by Debbie Tucker against Minneapolis Police Officer Alejandro Boldo. Tucker claimed Boldo used excessive force when he closed a car door on her leg during a traffic stop.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court's dismissal of excessive force claim against Minneapolis police officer

•Incident occurred during traffic stop of vehicle illegally parked in handicapped spot with driver who had outstanding felony warrants