John O'Brien News
Natural gas case settled for $380 mil
CHARLESTON - One of West Virginia's three large 2007 verdicts has been settled before the U.S. Supreme Court could decide if it wanted to review it.
Justices reject illiterate's educational malpractice suit
Maynard CHARLESTON - The state Supreme Court has refused the argument of a man who says the public school system didn't adequately prepare him to become a functioning member of society.
Big verdict against Massey will stand
Blankenship WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear the larger of two recent appeals involving Massey Energy and the West Virginia courts system.
CALA still on McGraw's case
Cohen CHARLESTON - It looks as if the feud between state Attorney General Darrell McGraw and a legal reform group is going to last four more years.
Coal mine fire suit settled
Blankenship LOGAN - The civil lawsuit brought by the widows of two men who died in the 2006 Aracoma coal mine fire has been settled mid-trial.
U.S. SC to rule on judicial recusal issue
Benjamin WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if state Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin should have recused himself from the $50 million case of a heavy campaign supporter.
Supreme Court weighs in on muddy, wirey issue
CHARLESTON - The state Supreme Court has overturned a decision that held three companies not liable for the injuries of a 13-year-old who was temporarily blinded by mud and rode into three of their wires.
Tobacco agreement harming market, suit says
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - The landmark tobacco settlement of 1998 is good for both the participating states and the tobacco companies that got in on the ground floor, a lawsuit recently filed by the sixth-largest tobacco company in the country says.
Ga. SC disbars once-prominent attorney
DiTrapano ATLANTA - The Georgia Supreme Court recently disbarred an attorney whose former firm represented the State of West Virginia in litigation against the manufacturer of the prescription painkiller OxyContin.
Craigslist agrees to measures regarding sex ads
McGraw CHARLESTON -- Advertising for erotic services on the Web site craigslist will require posters to provide a phone number and credit card, thanks to an agreement reached by the company and 43 state attorneys general, including West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
Ketchum has no need to play catch-up, leads S.C. race throughout
Ketchum CHARLESTON - Menis Ketchum's strong showing Tuesday night in the race for two open spots on the West Virginia Supreme Court even surprised him.
McGraw earns fifth term as AG
McGraw CHARLESTON - Another close race, another win for state Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
Manchin, McCain on way to easy wins in W.Va.
Manchin CHARLESTON - As expected, Gov. Joe Manchin has apparently won re-election, defeating Republican challenger Russ Weeks, and Republican presidential candidate John McCain has received West Virginia's five electoral votes.
AG McGraw gets family help in re-election bid
Darrell McGraw CHARLESTON - The son of a former West Virginia Supreme Court justice recently spent almost $12,000 to help his uncle, state Attorney General Darrell McGraw, in his bid for re-election.
Manhattan Institute takes on W.Va. courts in latest report
McGraw NEW YORK - Businesses are skittish about investing their resources in West Virginia because of the state's troubled legal system, a report released Monday by The Manhattan Institute says.
McGraw, Obama in trouble in W.Va., poll shows
McGraw CHARLESTON - Four-term West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw likely will fail in his efforts to be re-elected, a North Carolina-based polling firm says.
Greear has final fundraising questions for McGraw
Greear CHARLESTON - Days before the election, Republican attorney general candidate Dan Greear is curious why a fundraiser was held for opponent Darrell McGraw in Boston last October.
West Virginia's Supreme Court candidates, in their own words
Walker SHEPHERDSTOWN - The three candidates for the state Supreme Court spoke about issues facing the court Oct. 22 in a forum at Shepherd University's Frank Arts Center.
Manchin pledges to plug loophole
Manchin CHARLESTON - The state officials who are retiring to use a loophole that allows them to collect both their salaries and pensions will likely be the last to do so.
Judge tells AGs to get serious on settling Eli Lilly claims
McGraw NEW YORK -- A federal judge is curious why the 11 state attorneys general and the private attorneys they hired haven't already settled claims against pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. and are waiting for much more money than the 33 attorneys general that did.