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Prior bad acts admissible in firearm possession case
Because a defendant’s prior bad acts are admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence 404(b) in a case involving a woman charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, the jury […]
Professor’s defamation claim over social media criticism fails
A professor involved in exposing the water contamination in Flint, Michigan, could not sue individuals who criticized his actions on social media and in a letter sent to his university […]
United States was not liable for postal worker’s intentional torts
Where a contractor who provided mail deliveries for the United States Postal Service was repeatedly sexually harassed, assaulted and battered by a USPS employee, sovereign immunity shielded both USPS and […]
No stay of deportation pending adjudication of habeas case
A defendant lost his bid to remain in the county until his underlying habeas corpus petition is adjudicated. The court joined others in the Fourth Circuit in holding it had […]
VFOIA closed-door discussion not automatically privileged
Although the Virginia Freedom of Information Act allows closed-door meetings to discuss confidential employment matters, there is no privilege that would automatically protect those discussions from discovery in federal court […]
Experience with different gunpowder did not disqualify expert
Despite the fact that the defendant’s expert had more experience with a different gunpowder than the one used in this case, the expert was allowed to offer his opinion regarding […]
Claimed misuse no bar to design defect claim
Plaintiff’s claims for design defect and failure to warn were viable where the barrel of his firearm exploded after it had been loaded with a non-recommended bullet because there were […]
Lacking special expertise, expert could opine on design defect
A metallurgical engineering expert’s lack of specific expertise in firearms did not preclude his testimony that the defendant’s choice of steel caused the plaintiff’s firearm to malfunction because any objections […]
Expert could testify without precise information
The defendant was allowed to offer the testimony of its expert witness that plaintiff’s injury was caused by the positioning and use of a non-recommended bullet or the amount of […]
Jury may hear about decedent’s pain and suffering
A jury is poised to hear potentially powerful evidence about the decedent’s death and her minor children’s observation of that scene. Such testimony, a court ruled, may enable the jury […]
Ex-student’s claims against Virginia Tech, officials largely dismissed
The former student from China on an F-1 visa alleged Virginia Tech and two employees violated his rights by notifying Homeland Security when he dropped below the number of credit […]
Photographer’s copyright infringement claims survive motion to dismiss
The owner of a company argued she could not be held liable for alleged copyright infringement because the allegedly infringing actions were committed by her limited liability company. The court […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Motor Vehicle Negligence- Motorcyclist hit by car suffers two broken wrists
- Medical Malpractice – Young patient commits suicide while on psychoactive drugs
- Motor Vehicle Negligence- Art teacher’s hand injured in collision
- Premises Liability- Gas grill explosion left mom with severe burn injuries
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Crash video showed force of Tesla rear-end collision
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – 74-year-old injured in two-vehicle crash
- Employment- Arbitrator finds unfair labor practices by school
- Medical Malpractice- Gallbladder removal surgery results in reparative procedure
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Car with mother, two children broadsided, rolled several times
- Motor Vehicle Negligence – Driver, passenger suffer injuries after truck crosses into lane
- Fraud – Jury sides with couple in home construction case
Opinion Digests
- Criminal – Man convicted for role in robbery that ends in murder
- Search & Seizure – Search of defendant’s backpack was not unlawful
- Criminal – Man convicted of strangling, assaulting and abducting his romantic partner
- Criminal – Woman ordered to pay victim $4,359.28 for vehicle damage
- Evidence – Court didn’t err in admitting unavailable witness’s testimony
- Criminal – Sexually violent predator recommitted to Commonwealth’s custody
- Criminal – Felon is convicted for unlawful possession of firearm
- Criminal – Evidence shows police would have inevitably found firearm
- Criminal – Evidence supports fentanyl possession/distribution conviction
- Search & Seizure – Defendant wasn’t entitled to copy of search warrant
- Search & Seizure – Officer didn’t improperly extend traffic stop
- Negligence- Court won’t limit expert testimony at alleged malpractice trial
