Designated for publication Retana v. Twitter, Inc., 19-11389, appeal from N.D. Tex. Wiener, J. (Wiener, Costa, Willett), Anti-Terrorism Act Affirming 12(b)(6) dismissal of claims against Twitter, Google, and Facebook under the Anti-Terrorism Act under a theory of liability for aiding and abetting terrorism as a social media platform on which a third party, Hamas, radicalized … More June 16, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Lillie v. Office of Financial Institutions State of Louisiana, 19-30705, appeal from M.D. La. Smith, J. (Smith, Graves, Ho), securities law Affirming denial of continuance for further discovery and grant of summary judgment to defendants (“SEI”) that were associated with Stanford International Bank, Ltd. in Robert Stanford’s Ponzi scheme, based on conclusion … More Take the Fifth: May 14-17, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Sanchez v. Smart Fabricators of Texas, LLC, 19-20506, appeal from S.D. Tex. Davis, J. (Owen, Davis, Jones, Smith, Stewart, Dennis, Elrod, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Costa, Willett, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson), Dennis, J., concurring; Jones Act, maritime law, Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act In this en banc decision, a unanimous … More Take the Fifth: May 11, 2021 opinions
Unpublished Coleman v. Groom, 19-11227, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Higginbotham, Smith, Oldham), § 1983 Dismissing as frivolous district court’s dismissal of claims arising from mercury spill in U.S. Post Office. Thompson v. Sharad, 19-20013, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Higginbotham, Jones, Costa), prisoner suit Affirming dismissal of suit filed by prisoner arising … More Take the Fifth: May 10, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication White v. U.S. Corrections, LLC, 19-51074, appeal from W.D. Tex. Wilson, J. (Elrod, Duncan, Wilson), Fair Labor Standards Act Reversing district court’s 12(b)(6) dismissal of plaintiff’s overtime claim under the FLSA, holding that, while the Motor Carrier Act (“MCA”) exemption from the FLSA governed the plaintiff’s job transporting prisoners for the defendant, … More Take the Fifth: May 3, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Aguirre v. City of San Antonio, 17-51031, appeal from W.D. Tex. Dennis, J. (Jolly, Dennis, Higginson), Jolly, J., concurring; Higginson, J., concurring; excessive force, qualified immunity, municipal liability Vacating summary judgment on qualified immunity grounds as to claims against officer defendants for holding arrestee in hog-tied, “maximum restraint” position for five and … More Take the Fifth: April 22, 2021 opinions
Unpublished Marediya v. Garland, 19-60741, petition for review of BIA order per curiam (Higginbotham, Jones, Costa), immigration Denying in part and dismissing in part Indian citizens’ petition for review of BIA order dismissing appeal of IJ’s denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture, and adverse credibility finding. De Bastos … More Take the Fifth: April 15, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Texas v. Rettig, 18-10545, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Barksdale, Haynes, Willett), Ho, J., dissenting (joined by Jones, Smith, Elrod, Duncan, JJ.); nondelegation doctrine Denying petition for rehearing en banc (Chief Judge Owen and Judges Stewart, Dennis, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Costa, Willett, Engelhardt, and Wilson voting against rehearing). Judge Ho … More Take the Fifth: April 8-9, 2021 opinions
Brackeen v. Haaland, 18-11479, appeal from N.D. Tex. per curiam (Owen, Jones, Smith, Wiener, Stewart, Dennis, Elrod, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Costa, Willett, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham), Indian Child Welfare Act, standing, Administrative Procedures Act No one principal opinion commanded a majority of the en banc Court as to the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare … More Take the Fifth: April 6 and 7, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Burney, 20-10529, appeal from N.D. Tex. Smith, J. (King, Smith, Haynes), criminal, sentencing Affirming 60-month sentence on guilty plea to wire fraud. The presentence report recommended a guideline range of 12-18 months, “[b]ased on the severity of the offense, Burney’s acceptance of responsibility, and his criminal history,” but the district … More Take the Fifth: March 29-31, 2021 opinions
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