Designated for publication per curiam (Richman, Jones, Stewart, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Willett, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Douglas, JJ., voting against rehearing; Smith, Elrod, Ho, JJ., voting for rehearing); Ho, J., dissenting from denial of rehearing en banc (joined by Smith, J.); § 1983 Denying rehearing en banc of panel opinion that affirmed dismissal of § 1983 … More August 23, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Higginson, Wilson), qualified immunity Reversing denial of qualified immunity motion to dismiss, and rendering judgment in favor of wildlife officer defendants on § 1983 claims arising from arrests related to hunting activities and to alleged forgeries in transfers of a jet ski and a pickup truck. The Court held … More August 21, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Jones, J. (Jones, Willett, Douglas), Douglas, J., dissenting; habeas corpus, ineffective assistance of counsel Affirming denial of petitioner’s § 2255 petition on IAC claim arising from trial counsel’s inadequate argument and appellate counsel’s lack of argument for “back time” credit on sentence for possession of a firearm by a felon to account … More August 16, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Douglas, J. (Wiener, Graves, Douglas), prisoner suit Vacating dismissal of Louisiana state prisoner’s § 1983 suit as frivolous, and remanding for further proceedings. The Court held that the magistrate and district court judges abused their discretion in finding as frivolous the plaintiff’s claim that his procedural due process rights were violated when … More August 10, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Jones, J. (Jones, Southwick, Ho), Southwick, J., dissenting; Federal Power Act, administrative law Reversing FERC orders implementing cost allocation scheme for electrical grid improvements in much of the American West, in the WestConnect region, holding that the orders violate the Federal Power Act as a matter of law and that FERC inadequately … More August 2, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Engelhardt), Higginbotham, J., dissenting in part; criminal, sufficiency of evidence, jury instructions, Sixth Amendment, hearsay Affirming convictions of doctor and pharmacists in “pill mill” operation of controlled substance distribution and conspiracy counts, rejecting argument that there was not sufficient evidence to overcome the Controlled Substances Act’s exemption for … More July 25, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Willett), prisoner suit Affirming dismissal of Texas state prisoner’s § 1983 claim for impeding access to medical care after the onset of stroke symptoms, upon holding that plaintiff’s claims were malpractice claims but did not allege a deprivation of constitutionally secured rights. The Court held, “We conclude that … More May 5-8, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Clement, J. (Smith, Clement, Wilson), insurance Affirming summary judgment in favor of insurer on homeowners’ suit for coverage for mold-related losses. Unpublished per curiam (Jones, Haynes, Oldham), criminal, restitution Affirming denial of writ of coram nobis as a collateral attack on restitution order. per curiam (Stewart, Dennis, Willett), prisoner suit Affirming dismissal … More April 18, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Higginson), bankruptcy Affirming district court’s affirmance of bankruptcy court’s order approving credit-bid sale of hotel property to debtor’s parent company and discharge of all liens, holding that the lender was a good faith purchaser. Elrod, J. (Wiener, Elrod, Engelhardt), criminal, guilty plea, restitution Affirming $75,000 restitution award as … More April 17, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, sentencing, Brady violation, restitution Affirming convictions of depriving two persons of their constitutional rights under color of law, arising from defendant’s sexual assault of two men while a police officer, and concurrent sentences of 12 and 360 months. The Court held that withheld evidence was not … More April 6-12, 2023, opinions
