Designated for publication Jones, J. (Jones, Stewart, Duncan), criminal, jury instructions, sentencing Affirming conviction of illegal reentry and 105-month sentence, finding no error in jury instruction or impropriety in enhancement of sentence for obstruction of justice. After the defendant had presented evidence that he had been acting under duress due to threats by the drug-smuggling … More September 14, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Graves, J. (Graves, Willett, Engelhardt), insurance Affirming declaratory judgment in favor of insurance company that it did not owe coverage or defense to its insured for damages incurred by insured’s employees. Southwick, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Higginson), excessive force, municipal liability Reversing 12(b)(6) dismissal of excessive force claims against officer who punched plaintiff … More December 21-22, 2022, opinions
Catching up on the blog after some non-stop over-drive briefing weeks, so both published and unpublished opinions will only contain summary disposition information and not the usual fuller descriptions. Designated for publication Owens v. Circassia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 21-10760, appeal from N.D. Tex. Engelhardt, J. (Willett, Engelhardt, Wilson), employment discrimination Affirming summary judgment for employer in … More May 13, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Hawkins v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 20-20281, appeal from S.D. Tex. Wiener, J. (Wiener, Dennis, Duncan), Duncan, J., dissenting; Administrative Procedure Act, Fair Housing Act Reversing district court’s dismissal of plaintiffs’ APA and FHA claims against HUD, holding that HUD is bound by its prior self-imposed obligation to provide … More October 13-14, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Impax Laboratories, Inc. v. Federal Trade Commission, 19-60394, petition for review of order of the FTC Costa, J. (Southwick, Costa, Duncan), antitrust law Denying petition for review of FTC order that concluded a rule-of-reason analysis to determine that the respondent’s acceptance more than $100 million in reverse payment settlements to delay the … More Take the Fifth: April 13, 2021 opinions
