Steve Korris News
Mayflower discriminated against black workers, Supreme Court rules
CHARLESTON – Managers of a South Charleston stamping plant discriminated against black workers, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Reversal allows granddaughter to build in subdivision
CHARLESTON – In an error with sorrowful consequences, Putnam County Circuit Judge N. Edward Eagloski destroyed the dream of a dying man.
Tobacco settlement pits winner states against losers
Stanford professor Jeremy Bulow Smokers buy as many cigarettes in Virginia as in New York, but New York makes six times as much as Virginia in the deal between states and cigarette makers.
Flood trial judge chides attorney for flirting with jurors
Stuart Calwell BECKLEY – Attorney Stuart Calwell of Charleston tried to flirt with jurors at a trial about a flood in 2001, but he only aggravated the judge and bored the jury.
Tobacco settlement lawyer fees never will drop
Tobacco company payments to states may drop as smoker choices change the market, but fees for trial lawyers who negotiated the payments will never drop.
AG's $180,000 award to Tomblin's wife's college raises eyebrows
Darrell McGraw CHARLESTON – When a leader in state government gives money to the wife of another leader, eyebrows will rise. It happened March 29, when Attorney General Darrell McGraw awarded $180,000 to the nursing school of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.
Little tobacco companies growth could trigger settlement reduction
Cheap cigarettes from little tobacco companies have fouled up the deal that big tobacco companies made with taxpayers.
Supreme Court says Cabell judge abused his discretion
CHARLESTON – If one lawyer gives another a break on a deadline, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled, courtesy requires a break in return.
Supreme Court refuses to hear DaimlerChrysler fee appeal
CHARLESTON – Grubb Law Group will collect $143,026.66 for representing clients who won less than a twentieth of that amount at trial.
Starcher blames daughter for hostility in Haines' estate dissent
Justice Larry Starcher CHARLESTON – West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals should not have taken the side of the daughter of wealthy lawyer Ralph Haines in a struggle over his will, according to Justice Larry Starcher.
Missouri 'gets' reform, Lt. Gov. says
ST. LOUIS – Court reforms helped automaker DaimlerChrysler choose to invest more than a billion dollars in Missouri, according to Lt. Gov Peter Kinder.
AG sues drug company for fraud
POINT PLEASANT – Eli Lilly and Company committed fraud on the people of West Virginia in selling the drug Zyprexa, Attorney General Darrell McGraw claims in a suit he filed Feb. 28 in Mason Circuit Court.
Supreme Court sides with daughter on probate lawyer's will
CHARLESTON – Ralph Haines made millions as West Virginia's top probate lawyer, but he blew his own will.
State Supreme Court backs Stucky's approach
Justice Joseph Albright CHARLESTON – Judges should not push parties at trial to settle disputes, but when Christine McConaha hauled her brothers and sisters before Kanawha County Circuit Judge James Stucky, the judge chose to take charge and make peace.
Plaque at UC pharmacy school to recognize McGraw's donation
Attorney General Darrell McGraw CHARLESTON – The new pharmacy school building at the University of Charleston will carry a big name for a politician who provided big money and a smaller name for a politician who delivered a smaller amount.
Private attorneys use state power against defendant
WEIRTON – Class action attorneys have demanded information from a company they sued, not through their own power but through the power of the people of West Virginia.
Hughes files financial disclosure statement
CHARLESTON – Chief Deputy Attorney General Frances Hughes has silenced all who said she should file an annual financial disclosure statement.
Lindsays fight for half of Druckman's Oxycontin award
CHARLESTON – Things looked rosy for attorney William Druckman when a judge awarded him $833,333.33 for serving as a special assistant attorney general, but the money bought him a load of trouble.
Supreme Court rejects Judge Matish's simple math
CHARLESTON – Harrison County Circuit Judge James Matish found a simple way to calculate attorney's fees in a civil rights case, but his simplicity did not satisfy the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
Jury must apportion blame for flood among God and businesses
Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur Recht BECKLEY -- A Raleigh County jury must divide the blame for the flood of July 8, 2001, between God and businesses.