Steve Korris News
Justices reverse ruling in woman's sexual assault case
CHARLESTON – Former Mercer County prosecutor William Sadler didn't tell jurors that sexual assault defendant Mindy Keesecker kept silence during her trial, but he implied it and for that the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has granted Keesecker a new trial.
Carney, Jarvis did not obstruct police, Justices rule
Carney CHARLESTON – Wanda Carney and Betty Jarvis did not obstruct police investigating the Mingo County murder of Carla Collins, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Constitution Party says it was stonewalled at state park
ELKINS – Leaders of the Constitution Party of West Virginia, chased away from last year's National Hunting and Fishing Day at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park, seek a federal court order upholding their right to circulate petitions at the event this year.
Justices reduce orthopedic surgeon's child support slightly
Davis CHARLESTON – Orthopedic surgeon David Soulsby of Putnam County can subtract $949 a month from his child support obligations, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals unanimously decided April 4.
Rodriguez depositions will be protected
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – Attorneys for West Virginia University and former football coach Rich Rodriguez have agreed to preserve the privacy of depositions in the university's $4 million suit against Rodriguez.
Justices order Jefferson panel to issue permit to development
CHARLESTON – Folks in Jefferson County stacked the deck against property owners who applied for a permit to build 152 homes, but the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has handed the property owners a new deal.
Man wants officers, lawyer to compensate him for wrongful imprisonment
HUNTINGTON - John David Mooney, who endured five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, believes that officers who arrested him and the lawyer who represented him should compensate him for all he lost.
Justice, three judges hear flood appeals
CHARLESTON - As three circuit judges ascended to the big chairs of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on April 16, Justice Joseph Albright announced, "Obviously there was a midnight coup."
Newspaper boasts could cost RichRod's legal team
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN - Bragging in a Michigan newspaper may carry a high price for the legal team representing former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez.
LAWS program gets students interested in court
Chief Justice Spike Maynard talks with students after lunch at Princeton High School on Tuesday. The state Supreme Court heard cases at the Mercer County Courthouse as part of its LAWS Program. (Photo by Jeff Gentner, courtesy of the state Supreme Court) PRINCETON- College and high school students who witness oral arguments of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals can't wait to hear who won.
Justices uphold ruling in Roane drunk driving, beating case
CHARLESTON- In one of their easier decisions, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals declared that Owen Hawk III was drunk when he drove the wrong way without lights, sped away from the sheriff, T-boned a cop car and smashed three more vehicles.
Albright says other Justices wrong on bar's sales tax case
Albright CHARLESTON – Justice Joseph Albright of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals can't believe his colleagues held bookkeeper Barry Schmehl personally liable for a bar's unpaid sales taxes.
Workers' comp protests await Justices' decision
CHARLESTON – Three thousand workers' compensation protests hang in the air at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals while insurers around the nation wait to see where they will fall.
Justices hear appeal of attorney who looked at another firm's e-mails
CHARLESTON – Michael Markins deserves a two-year suspension of his law license for stealing 150 e-mails from a law firm where his wife worked, the chief regulator of West Virginia attorneys told the Supreme Court of Appeals at oral arguments April 1.
Any American can sue in West Virginia, asbestos attorney tells Justices
Daley CHARLESTON – Every American enjoys a constitutional right to sue any other American in a West Virginia court, according to a Pittsburgh attorney who represents about 1,000 residents of other states demanding access to West Virginia courts.
Insurance settlement didn't cover fees, Justices rule
CHARLESTON – Erie Insurance attorneys thought they covered the other side's legal fees when they settled three sexual harassment claims against a bar in Wheeling, but the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled that the settlement didn't cover fees.
Court hears unemployment case of Blankenship's maid
CHARLESTON – Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship didn't hire Deborah May as his maid or fire her, but she asks the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to award her unemployment compensation because he overworked and mistreated her.
Rodriguez: Garrison is guilty of fraud
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – On the day before the first hearing in a $4 million struggle between West Virginia University and former football coach Rich Rodriguez, the coach claimed that university president Mike Garrison fraudulently induced him to sign his contract.
Insurers will have eyes on W.Va. Supreme Court
CHARLESTON – Insurers all over America will pay close attention when the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals tackles five workers compensation appeals at oral arguments Wednesday.
Most who take early retirement can't get unemployment, Justices rule
Starcher CHARLESTON – Workers who accept early retirement offers can't apply for unemployment compensation except in narrow circumstances, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals unanimously decided March 19.