Steve Korris News
Mercer prosecutor's error 'harmless,' Maynard says
Maynard CHARLESTON – Former Mercer County prosecutor William Sadler didn't prejudice jurors by referring to a sexual assault suspect's failure to testify, according to Chief Justice Spike Maynard of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
ANALYSIS: WVU won by proving Rodriguez is no dumb jock
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – West Virginia University's board of governors prevailed in a $4 million suit against former football coach Rich Rodriguez by establishing beyond a doubt that the coach was smarter than the president of the university.
Fourth Circuit judges say Copenhaver erred in remanding AT&T case
Bell RICHMOND, Va. – U.S. appellate judges at the Fourth Circuit in Richmond agree that U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver of Charleston made a mistake when he remanded a class action against AT&T Mobility to Kanawha Circuit Court.
Prisoner wants apology from U.S. Magistrate
BECKLEY – Prisoner Chris Umberger expects an apology or something stronger from U. S. Magistrate Judge Clarke VanDervort of Bluefield, for an order Umberger received about his suit against physician Dominick McLain of the federal prison in Beaver.
Constitution Party can't sue DNR chief over state park ban, attorney says
ELKINS – Leaders of the Constitution Party of West Virginia can't sue director Frank Jezioro of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources over a ban on politics in state parks, his attorney argues at U.S. District Court in Elkins.
Blankenship's maid deserves unemployment, Justices rule
Blankenship CHARLESTON – Deborah May, former housekeeper for Massey Coal owner Don Blankenship, didn't quit her job voluntarily and deserves unemployment compensation, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled.
Workers' comp switch smooth so far, Cline says
Cline CHARLESTON – With a late lift from the Supreme Court of Appeals, West Virginia soared into a new age of competition in workers compensation insurance on July 1.
Rodriguez, Michigan to pay $4 million to WVU
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez and the University of Michigan will pay $4 million to WVU in an agreement announced July 9.
Justices back judge on dismissal of railroad asbestos suits
Recht CHARLESTON – In a fireworks display two days before America's birthday, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals launched asbestos suits of more than 1,000 railroad workers into the sky so they can fall where they belong.
U.S. aims to stop suits filed by prisoner
BECKLEY – U.S. Attorney Charles Miller has moved to cut off a pair of lawsuits that a federal prisoner in Beaver filed in Raleigh County against prison employees.
Firm files three nursing home suits in two days
CHARLESTON - Erin Winter and Andrew Paternostro of Bell & Bands in Charleston filed three wrongful death suits against nursing homes in two days.
Bus driver sues Kanawha sheriff in insurance case
CHARLESTON - Regional Transit Authority bus driver Bryan William Smith of St. Albans wanted two insurers to pay for injuries he suffered in a crash, but in order to bring his claim to court he needed to sue Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford.
Justices say judge must reinstate verdict in major flood case
CHARLESTON – Raleigh Circuit Judge John Hutchison must reinstate a jury verdict blaming Western Pocahontas Properties for damage from a flood that struck near Mullens in 2000, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Widow names 35 companies in asbestos suit
CHARLESTON - Mary Kathryn Black, widow of steelworker Steve Black, claims in a Kanawha County suit that he died because 35 companies exposed him to asbestos.
Wind turbine benefits outweight local opposition, Justices say
CHARLESTON – Benefits of wind turbines on ridge tops in Greenbrier County outweigh local opposition, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled June 23.
Judge wants to see Maynard e-mails for himself
Canterbury CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom will read e-mails from offices of Chief Justice Spike Maynard and decide if the rest of the world can read them.
Benjamin dissents in case about shackling prisoner witnesses
Benjamin CHARLESTON – Retired Cabell Circuit Judge L. D. Egnor did not violate Gary Gibson's rights by ordering shackles on defense witnesses at his murder conspiracy trial, according to Justice Brent Benjamin of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
Judge: Rodriguez can't hide figures in buyout arrangement
Rodriguez MORGANTOWN – Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez can't hide arrangements he and the University of Michigan made to buy out his West Virginia contract, Monongalia County Circuit Judge Robert Stone ruled June 23.
Justices toss out man's conviction 19 years later
CHARLESTON – Nineteen years after Cabell County jurors convicted Gary Allen Gibson of conspiracy in a prison killing, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has set aside his conviction.
Justices remand timber cutter death case to Fayette County
CHARLESTON – Circuit Judge Paul Blake Jr. acted prematurely when he cleared R. M. Logging and foreman John Robinson of liability in the death of timber cutter Clarence Coleman, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled June 16.