Take the Fifth: Jan. 12 and 13, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Parkerson, 19-10780, appeal from N.D. Tex. Jolly, J. (Jolly, Southwick, Wilson), criminal, sentencing Affirming 120-month statutory maximum prison term for failure to register as a sex offender where sentencing guidelines range was 18-24 months. The presentencing report (“PSR”) referred to an excerpt from a police report of an incident where … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 12 and 13, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 11 and 14, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Stelly v. Duriso, 19-20160, appeal from S.D. Tex. Haynes, J. (Jones, Haynes, Ho), Ho. J., concurring in part; intentional infliction of emotional distress, employment discrimination Vacating district court’s default judgment in favor of plaintiff on intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”) claim against individual defendant in lawsuit against unions and maritime association … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 11 and 14, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: December 10, 2020 opinions

Unpublished U.S. v. Martinez-Tapia, 18-40649, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Stewart, Higginson), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. Pierre v. Local Rule Policy Maker for the First Circuit Court of Appeal, 19-30738, appeal from M.D. La. per curiam (Stewart, Graves, Higginson), prisoner suit Denying IFP status, dismissing appeal as frivolous, … More Take the Fifth: December 10, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 7 and 8, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Lipscomb, 18-11168, appeal from N.D. Tex. Clement, J. (Clement, Ho, Duncan), habeas corpus, Armed Career Criminal Act Vacating district court’s grant of § 2255 petition and remanding to reinstate original sentence. Petitioner had been convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm after being apprehended with a sawed-off shotgun … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 7 and 8, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 4, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Jones v. New Orleans Regional Physician Hospital Organization, Inc., 19-31027, appeal from E.D. La. Jones, J. (Higginbotham, Jones, Higginson), Fair Labor Standards Act Affirming summary judgment in favor of defendant employer, dismissing white-collar employees’ claims for violation of the FLSA. The Court rejected plaintiffs’ argument that their job duties did not fall … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 4, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 3, 2020 opinions

Designated for pulication Future Proof Brands, LLC v. Molson Coors Beverage Co., 20-50323, appeal from W.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Dennis), trademark infringement, intellectual property, preliminary injunction Affirming district court’s denial of preliminary injunction sought by plaintiff, who sued defendant for trademark infringement of plaintiff’s “brizzy” brand of hard seltzer product by defendant’s “vizzy” … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 3, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 1, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Thomas v. Lumpkin, 17-20661, appeal from S.D. Tex. Jones, J., order denying en banc rehearing, joined by Owen, Jones, Smith, Southwick, Haynes, Costa, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, JJ.; Graves, J., dissenting from denial of rehearing, joines by Elrod, J. (Stewart, Dennis, Elrod, Graves, Higginson, Willett, voting to rehear); habeas corpus, ineffective … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 1, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Nov. 25, 2020 opinions

Unpublished Leyva v. Barr, 17-60686, petition for review of BIA order per curiam (Owen, Jones, Stewart), immigration Affirming decision of BIA dismissing appeal of IJ decision ordering removal and denying motion to reopen. Scott v. Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 19-40923, appeal from E.D. Tex. per curiam (Higginbotham, Jones, Costa), prisoner suit, frivolous Affirming dismissal … More Take the Fifth: Nov. 25, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Nov. 24, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 19-20818, appeal from S.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Dennis), defamation Affirming summary judgment in favor of Wal-Mart on plaintiff’s defamation claim for being misidentified as a shoplifter by a Wal-Mart employee. Court held that, under standard necessary to overcome the qualified privilege under Texas law that … More Take the Fifth: Nov. 24, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Nov. 19 and 20, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Joseph v. Bartlett, 19-30014, appeal from E.D. La. Willett, J. (Elrod, Willett, Oldham), Oldham, J., concurring; excessive force, qualified immunity Affirming district court’s denial of qualified immunity-based summary judgment in favor of two defendant officers who repeatedly tased and struck a young man (who subsequently died), reversing the district court’s qualified immunity … More Take the Fifth: Nov. 19 and 20, 2020 opinions