Steve Korris News
Justices vacate default judgment in oil, gas rights dispute
CHARLESTON – William Groves and Harrolyn Groves of Spencer defied courtroom odds by winning a $704,000 judgment without a lawyer, but now the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals tells them they can't collect it.
Court won't rehear Jefferson Co. zoning case
CHARLESTON – West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals will stick by an April 17 decision allowing construction of 152 homes on Far Away Farm in Jefferson County.
State Police must stand trial in fatal shooting, Justices rule
Maynard CHARLESTON – West Virginia State Police must stand trial with Trooper C. F. Kane in a civil suit over 16 shots Kane fired into the late Charlie Pruitt in the living room of his McDowell County home.
Justices to hear Lincoln circuit clerk case
CHARLESTON – Now that former Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Gregory Stowers has served time for buying votes, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals will decide if a candidate he defeated 12 years ago can sue him for damages.
Rodriguez attorneys to depose Garrison secretly
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – Lawyers for former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez will depose WVU President Mike Garrison on June 12 at a secret spot.
Markins should have to pay restitution, Starcher writes
Markins CHARLESTON – When Justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals suspended the law license of Michael Markins for two years, they should have ordered him to pay restitution to two firms he damaged, according to Justice Larry Starcher.
Cemetery in good hands with citizens, Justices rule
CHARLESTON – Marion Circuit Judge Fred Fox correctly snatched ownership of Fairmont's Woodlawn Cemetery from a corporation and entrusted it to local citizens, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Difference between shallow, deep wells at issue
CHARLESTON – Energy companies have split in a struggle over regulation of West Virginia gas wells that some call deep and some call shallow.
Justices say Legislature wrong on felony child support
Davis CHARLESTON – West Virginia legislators violated state and national constitutions when they forced fathers facing felony child support charges to prove they couldn't pay, the Supreme Court of Appeals decided May 23.
Lawyer who read wife's e-mails suspended for two years
M. Markins CHARLESTON – Huntington attorney Michael Markins, who stole about 150 e-mails from a firm where his wife worked, has lost his law license for two years.
WVU wants to depose Rodriguez's wife
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia University attorneys want to depose the wife of former football coach Rich Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says he didn't know of 90-day notice
Rodriguez ROMULUS, Michigan – Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez swears he didn't know that in order to accuse the university of breaching his contract, he had to give 90 days notice in writing.
Judge orders mediation in 'Hold the Cheese' suit
MORGANTOWN – Monongalia Circuit Judge Robert Stone has ordered mediation of a lawsuit claiming that cheese on a McDonald's sandwich injured Jeromy Jackson, son of Trela Jackson.
Court giving Williamson attorney one more last chance
CHARLESTON - When the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals gave William Duty of Williamson one last chance to save his law license at oral arguments in January, he didn't show up.
Justices to hear case to retire Cabell magistrate
Qualls CHARLESTON - Cabell County Magistrate Alvie Qualls, foggy from a stroke and weakening in heart and mind, reverted to an adolescent lusting for a ride down Snake Road.
Former legislator, others sued over teacher retirement plan
Bell CHARLESTON -- Former West Virginia legislator Ramona Cerra and other prominent persons tricked school employees into changing their retirement plans, according to a suit filed earlier this week.
110 insurers on workers' comp list
CHARLESTON - One hundred and ten insurance companies will compete for workers' compensation premiums of West Virginia employers starting July 1, according to state insurance commissioner Jane Cline.
Justices recommend settlement in bridge death suit
CHARLESTON - If ever the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals answered maybe instead of yes or no, they did it in the case of Wallie Blessing, who died building a bridge.
Attorney says former client to blame for his injuries
HUNTINGTON - John David Mooney withdrew a guilty plea and gained freedom after five years in federal prison, but his former attorney still thinks he's guilty.
Rodriguez can move forward on fraud claim, judge rules
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN - Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez can proceed with a fraud claim in his $4 million dispute with the university, Monongalia Circuit Judge Robert Stone ruled May 1.