J. Beales finds a lower court did not err in convicting defendant for raping his wife. Defendant raised a number of objections, including arguing the court had improperly failed to consider his mental health at sentencing, but in fact the court had “considered the facts of this case” before sentencing and did not abuse its discretion in imposing a lengthy sentence. Affirmed.
Court: Virginia Court Of Appeals, Judge: Beales, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 0081-23-3, Categories: Sentencing, Sex Offender
Per curiam, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts determines that, where the defendant is a juvenile with executive functioning issues and learning disabilities that make it difficult if not impossible for him to understand court procedure without specialized instruction, “the ability to propose, finance, order, and compel remediation programming falls beyond the purview of the court.” Discharged and remanded.
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: SJC-13466, Categories: Competence, Juvenile Law, Murder
J. Witt finds that the juvenile court properly transferred defendant for criminal prosecution as an adult on first-degree assault charges. The court reasonably found defendant beyond rehabilitation under the juvenile code due to his extensive criminal history and failure to positively respond to the services offered to him. Therefore, defendant was not prejudiced by counsel's alleged error in failing to hire an expert on child development. Affirmed.
Court: Missouri Court Of Appeals, Judge: Witt, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: WD86022, Categories: Ineffective Assistance, Juvenile Law
J. Witt finds that the lower court properly transferred defendant's case for criminal prosecution as an adult on sodomy and child molestation charges. Defendant cannot show he was prejudiced by his counsel's failure to use the word "laches" in challenging the certification, as counsel made the very argument that defendant claims he failed to make. Affirmed.
Court: Missouri Court Of Appeals, Judge: Witt, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: WD86093, Categories: Ineffective Assistance, Juvenile Law
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J. Welch finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for third degree sexual assault. Defendant was a psychiatrist and addiction specialist. The victims, his patients, testified to inappropriate touching, groping, and kissing, with certain testimony corroborating other testimony. Sufficient evidence supports the conviction, and no abuse of discretion is found. Evidence in a presentence report is not subject to admissibility standards used at trial and the court’s review of the report would not make a reasonable person question the judge’s impartiality. The motion to recuse is without merit and counsel cannot be found ineffective for failing to make a meritless argument. Affirmed.
Court: Nebraska Court Of Appeals, Judge: Welch , Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: A-23-577, Categories: Evidence, Judiciary, Sex Offender
J. Welch finds the county court properly granted injunctive relief and damages to the property developer. The residential property owner constructed a sediment pond and dam, causing drainage issues on the developer's property. The developer has shown that it has lost use of a portion of its property, as well as having lost trees to erosion caused by pooling water. The water backup was caused by negligent construction, as shown by the testimony of a civil engineer. Removal of the pond and dam is the only remedy. Affirmed.
Court: Nebraska Court Of Appeals, Judge: Welch , Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: A-23-114, Categories: Agriculture, Property, Damages
J. Pirtle finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. Officers conducting surveillance on a residence observed defendant drive by the house. Upon their following the vehicle, defendant began driving at excessive speeds and making sudden turns, cutting off traffic and nearly causing accidents. Pursuit was ended for safety concerns and officers identified defendant through vehicle registration records and his prior booking photos. Sufficient evidence supports the conviction, and all factors were properly considered in sentencing him to 2 years in prison with 1 year of supervised release as well as a license suspension. No ineffective assistance or abuse of discretion is found. Affirmed.
Court: Nebraska Court Of Appeals, Judge: Pirtle , Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: A-23-721, Categories: Drug Offender, Escape, Vehicle
Per curiam, the Fifth Circuit finds the district court improperly dismissed the insurance company's petition to appoint an umpire for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The company refused to pay an additional $349,657 after paying the hail-damaged property owner $61,026 after deductions. The court erred in concluding that the petition did not meet the amount-in-controversy requirement for diversity jurisdiction. The company's petition establishes an amount in controversy over $75,000, meeting requirements for diversity jurisdiction. Reversed.
Court: 5th Circuit, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 23-10888, Categories: Insurance, Property, Jurisdiction
Per curiam, the Supreme Court of Ohio finds attorney Jack Herchel VanBibber will be suspended from the practice of law for two years for multiple criminal convictions stemming from traffic violations, his failure to comply with court orders related to those convictions and his refusal to cooperate with the ensuing disciplinary investigation. VanBibber continued to drive on a suspended license even after an OVI conviction, led police on a chase through a residential area after being pulled over and showed little respect to disciplinary proceedings when he refused to cooperate initially. However, because he has an otherwise clean disciplinary record, his suspension will be stayed so long as he commits no further misconduct.
Court: Ohio Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 2024-Ohio-1702, Categories: Sanctions, Attorney Discipline
J. White finds the circuit court improperly entered a judgment in the widow's favor after a jury's verdict finding Pabst liable for $6,986,906 in damages stemming from the widow's husband's death from mesothelioma he contracted from asbestos he encountered working as a pipefitter at Pabst and other locations. In her cross-appeal, the widow correctly argues that the circuit court improperly applied the punitive damages statute such that only Pabst's portion of compensatory damages was doubled, not the total amount of compensatory damages she was awarded. All of Pabst's arguments against the judgment and verdict fail, including those challenging the sufficiency of the evidence and the jury instructions. The case is remanded for the circuit court to enter a new judgment against Pabst totaling $13,419,295. Affirmed in part.
Court: Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Judge: White, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 2022AP000723, Categories: Damages, Negligence, Asbestos
J. Ortiz finds a lower court erred when it reduced the child support obligations of an ex-husband following a divorce. The court based the reduction on supplementary security income benefits received by the couple’s disabled adult child, but these benefits are not an “independent financial resource” that can “justify a reduction in a parent’s child-support obligation.” Reversed.
Court: Virginia Court Of Appeals, Judge: Ortiz, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 0877-22-2, Categories: Family Law, Social Security, Guardianship
J. Hardin-Tammons finds that the lower court properly denied defendant's motion for post-conviction relief alleging his counsel was ineffective for failing to call an independent DNA expert and an independent pharmacological expert. In light of the overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilty, he cannot show he suffered any prejudice as a result of counsel's alleged failures. Further, defendant's proposed pharmacological testimony about the consequences of mixing Paxil and alcohol would not have provided defendant with a viable defense. Affirmed.
Court: Missouri Court Of Appeals, Judge: Hardin-Tammons, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: ED111372, Categories: Dna, Evidence, Sex Offender
J. Sessions denies a construction and excavation business, and its board members motion to dismiss in this Fair Labor Standards Act dispute brought by the Department of Labor alleging unlawful retaliation against employees that received back wages from a settlement. The employees alleges that the board members made false and retaliatory statements on the social media platform Facebook. The DoL plausibly alleged the conduct was a retaliation threat based on coercion making it plausibly unprotected. Discovery may proceed and the Labor Department’s motion to amend is also denied.
Court: USDC Vermont, Judge: Sessions, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 2:23cv560, NOS: Fair Labor Standards Act - Labor, Categories: Employment Retaliation, Labor
Per curiam, the Seventh Circuit finds that the lower court properly determined defendant is not entitled to a reduced sentence under the First Step Act. Defendant was convicted in 1998 of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise (CCE) by managing the drug-trafficking operation of the Latin Kings street gang in Chicago and sentenced to life in prison. CCE convictions are not covered offenses under the Act because the statutory penalties of 20 years to life were not altered by the Fair Sentencing Act. Affirmed.
Court: 7th Circuit, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 23-1318, Categories: Drug Offender, Sentencing, Gangs
J. Kirsch finds that the lower court properly found for the insurer in a dispute over insurance coverage for the non-responsible parties of an auto accident. These parties cannot recover as assignees of the insured, because the the assignment's covenant not to execute the judgment against the insured personally rendered the insured not legally responsible, therefore triggering no responsibility on the part of the insurer. Affirmed.
Court: 7th Circuit, Judge: Kirsch, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 23-1299, Categories: Insurance, Contract
J. Jackson finds that the trial court was within its discretion to require that insureds who sought attorney fees in a bad faith insurance action waive their attorney-client privilege to allow discovery of invoices, fee agreements and payment history. Under Brandt, the recovery of insureds' attorney fees as an element of their damages is an election that requires them to provide discovery, and seeking recovery of attorney fees is an implied waiver of privilege.
Court: California Courts Of Appeal, Judge: Jackson, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: A169321, Categories: Insurance, Privilege, Attorney Fees
J. Johnson denies, in part, a diagnostics company and its owner’s motion to dismiss or, alternatively, transfer venue in this contract dispute stemming from two unpaid loan agreements. The lender alleges breach of contract, breach of guaranty and unjust enrichment claims, he does state a plausible claim on the contract and guaranty. The unjust enrichment claim is dismissed because the parties have disputed the existence of an enforceable loan agreement. The lender may continue with all other claims with the court retaining jurisdiction over the proceedings.
Court: USDC Northern District of Alabama , Judge: Johnson, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 5:23cv1421, NOS: Other Contract - Contract, Categories: Banking / Lending, Contract
J. Ho dismisses the strip club's appeal for lack of jurisdiction. District courts have upheld the state bill raising the minimum age of employment at sexually oriented businesses against constitutional attack in multiple cases. The club does not argue that the law burdens the constitutional rights of the business. It does not allege that the age of the dancers plays a role in any message that it intends to convey, that it possesses a constitutional right to hire certain employees, or that the law deprives it of equal protection. The club has not alleged an injury in fact.
Court: 5th Circuit, Judge: Ho , Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 22-50612, Categories: Constitution, Jurisdiction
J. Moore finds the county court properly dismissed the attorney's complaint seeking fees under a contingency fee agreement. The attorney and former client entered into a contract for representation in a life insurance claim, though the claim was paid before the attorney began litigating the case. There is no error in the court’s determination that there was no meeting of the minds concerning the agreement. Affirmed.
Court: Nebraska Court Of Appeals, Judge: Moore , Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: A-23-455, Categories: Insurance, Attorney Fees, Contract
J. Arterburn finds the county court properly entered the modified domestic abuse protection order. The wife filed a petition to obtain the protection order for her and her minor child, alleging several incidents involving property destruction and threats of physical violence. It is undisputed that the husband threw drinks on the floor and at his wife, ripped her underwear off her body, shoved her, and threatened to punch her. The husband presented no evidence to show cause why the protection order should not remain in effect. Affirmed.
Court: Nebraska Court Of Appeals, Judge: Arterburn , Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: A-23-772, Categories: Evidence, Restraining Order, Assault
J. Decker finds a lower court did not err in convicting defendant of threatening to damage a building. Defendant raised a number of issues on appeal, including a challenge to the admissibility and sufficiency of the evidence against him, but regardless of defendant’s mental state at the time, the lower court did find that he had made a “true threat.” Affirmed.
Court: Virginia Court Of Appeals, Judge: Decker, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 1805-22-4, Categories: Constitution, Evidence, Threats
J. Beales finds a lower court did not err when it found that a teacher and football coach had not shown he was defamed by a school report that found he had “loudly uttered numerous statements incorporating profanity around students.” Because the allegedly defamatory statements were made as part of an official report, the officials’ statements were “entitled to qualified privilege and, therefore, could not be defamatory.” Affirmed.
Court: Virginia Court Of Appeals, Judge: Beales, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 0702-23-3, Categories: Education, Defamation
J. Callins finds a lower court erred when it sustained a demurrer by county officials after they were sued by residents concerned about the approval of a major development by Amazon. The officials did not comply with requirements to give adequate public notice because the summary of their proposed action did not include relevant information, including a proposed increase “in the height and density limits for buildings.” Reversed.
Court: Virginia Court Of Appeals, Judge: Callins, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 0240-23-4, Categories: Government, Due Process
J. Englander affirms the dismissal of the indictments of five defendants charged with violating a human trafficking statute when they fell for a sting operation. “The evidence before the grand jury did not establish probable cause that any of the defendants met the statutory requirement that they ‘recruit, entice . . . or obtain by any means’ another person.” Affirmed.
Court: Massachusetts Court Of Appeals, Judge: Englander, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 23-P-268, Categories: Evidence, Prostitution, Human Trafficking
J. Nguyen grants an immigrant's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ dismissal of an appeal of an immigration judge’s denial of a motion for reconsideration and termination of an underlying removal order based on a defective notice to appear.
Court: 9th Circuit, Judge: Nguyen, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 19-72446, Categories: Immigration
J. Torbitzky finds that the lower court properly refused to expunge one criminal conviction, after expunging another. Defendant failed to demonstrate his two convictions were part of the same course of criminal conduct, even if he pleaded guilty in each case and was sentenced on the same day. Affirmed.
Court: Missouri Court Of Appeals, Judge: Torbitzky, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: ED111779, Categories: Criminal Procedure