Designated for publication per curiam (Richman, Higginbotham, Southwick), habeas corpus, ineffective assistance of counsel Affirming denial of habeas relief on IAC claims of petitioner convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. per curiam (en banc court), criminal, sufficiency of evidence Ordering en banc rehearing of June 7, 2023, panel opinion that reversed and vacated … More August 30-31, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Higginson, Willett), attorney discipline Affirming three-judge district court panel’s decision imposing a 12-month suspension from practice in front of that court after substance-abuse-related inappropriate courtroom behavior and failures to show up for clients’ sentencing hearings. The Court rejected the attorney’s argument that only the presiding judge can impose sanctions … More August 11-14, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Higginbotham, Southwick, Higginson), insurance Affirming in part and reversing in part summary judgment in favor of insurers on claim for defense and indemnification under CGL and umbrella policies for an underlying suit against the insured alleging contamination from the plaintiff’s auto salvage and vehicle wash properties. The Court held that … More July 28-31, 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 Ho, J. (Dennis, Elrod, Ho), administrative law Affirming summary judgment in favor of Department of Treasury in its administration of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (“the Fund”), and its decision to require repayment of approximately $12 million from OnPath to the Fund based on a materially misrepresented certification application by OnPath. … More July 1-5, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Graves, J. (Graves, Willett, Engelhardt), qualified immunity Affirming qualified immunity summary judgment in favor of officer defendant based on shots he fired into sedan as he stood directly in front of car and driver ignored multiple commands from the officers; but reversing qualified immunity summary judgment in favor of officer defendants for … More May 17-18, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Ho, J. (Ho, Oldham, Douglas), insurance Affirming summary judgment in favor of insured, holding that contractual liability exclusion does not apply to a claim for breach of fiduciary duty because of “a simple principle of law: A claim for breach of fiduciary duty is not a claim for breach of contract.” Graves, … More May 9, 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 Higginson, J. (Higginbotham, Higginson, Oldham), Oldham, J., dissenting; labor law Denying employer’s petition to review NLRB’s order denying request to appeal NLRB Acting General Counsel’s withdrawal of unfair labor practice complaint against labor union, on basis that the Acting General Counsel’s decision was an unreviewable act of prosecutorial discretion. The Court held … More April 24-25, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, sufficiency of evidence, jury instructions, 404(b), Confrontation Clause Affirming convictions of kidnapping and other counts arising from drug trafficking conspiracy, rejecting arguments regarding the kidnapping jury instruction, sufficiency of the evidence, admission of 404(b) evidence, and violation of the Confrontation Clause. Dennis, J. (Davis, Dennis, Higginson), … More April 3, 2023, opinions
