Take the Fifth: April 23, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication Thomas v. Lumpkin, 17-70002, appeal from E.D. Tex. Southwick, J. (Jones, Southwick, Higginson), Higginson, J., dissenting in part; habeas corpus, ineffective assistance of counsel Affirming denial of federal habeas petition for death-row inmate, in ineffective assistance of counsel (“IAC”) issues. The Court first held that it has jurisdiction, that the petitioner’s notice … More Take the Fifth: April 23, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: April 21, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication Thibodeaux v. Sanofi U.S. Services, Inc., 20-30104, appeal from E.D. La. Southwick, J. (Jolly, Southwick, Costa), timeliness, contra non valentem Affirming district court’s summary judgment dismissal of products liability claims regarding permanent hair loss from chemotherapy drug Taxotere, on the basis that the claims were facially prescribed under Louisiana law and that … More Take the Fifth: April 21, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: April 20, 2021 opinions

Unpublished English v. Aramark Corp., 19-20412, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Haynes, Graves, Willett), prisoner suit, removal Remanding to district court for the limited purpose of determining if defendant met its burden to show removal jurisdiction existed over state prisoner’s suit against prison food service provider. U.S. v. Vasquez-Garcia, 19-20880, appeal from S.D. Tex. … More Take the Fifth: April 20, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: April 14, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Williams, 20-40157, appeal from S.D. Tex. Oldham, J. (Higginbotham, Costa, Oldham), criminal, restitution Affirming restitution award of more than $2 million for defendant on guilty plea conviction of four counts of wire fraud involving purported sales of cattle in which defendant absconded with the money without producing the cattle. “The … More Take the Fifth: April 14, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: April 8-9, 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

Take the Fifth: April 6 and 7, 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

Take the Fifth: April 5, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Navarro-Jusino, 20-40401, appeal from E.D. Tex. Smith, J. (King, Smith, Haynes), criminal, sentencing Affirming 120-month sentence on one count of wire fraud, an 87-month upward variance from the guidelines. The Court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in the sentencing because (1) the wire fraud of … More Take the Fifth: April 5, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: March 29-31, 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

Take the Fifth: March 22 and 23, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Brune, 19-11360, appeal from N.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Jones, Smith, Elrod), criminal, double jeopardy Affirming conviction of defendant for possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. In the charging instrument, the government had misstated the statutory citation for the charged crime, … More Take the Fifth: March 22 and 23, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: March 16, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication Anokwuru v. City of Houston, 20-20295, appeal from S.D. Tex. Wilson, J. (Stewart, Higginson, Wilson), § 1983, false arrest, malicious prosecution Affirming 12(b)(6) dismissal of plaintiff’s § 1983 claims arising from his allegations that Officer M.R. Francis arrested him without probable cause, maliciously prosecuted him, and racially discriminated against him, and that … More Take the Fifth: March 16, 2021 opinions