Steve Korris News
Judge was right to let witness testify, Justices rule
CHARLESTON – A Raleigh County judge properly allowed a witness to testify that he bought Oxycontin pills from a woman, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Contractor strikes out on second trip to Supreme Court
CHARLESTON – Home builder Paul Ashbaugh once persuaded the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to help him stamp a subdivision plat, but on a second trip he couldn't persuade the Court to turn the plat into reality.
Insurer wants out of backing Pittsburgh firm
Peirce PITTSBURGH –- Robert Peirce may not lose a West Virginia lawsuit claiming his Pittsburgh-based law firm filed phony asbestos claims, but his insurer figures he might.
Justices hands mental patients' rights to Bloom
Bloom CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Louis Bloom has taken charge of the rights of patients at Mildred Bateman state mental hospital in Huntington with full support from the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
Judge denies Harron's motion to dismiss CSX fraud claim
Harron WHEELING – U.S. District Judge Frederick Stamp has denied a motion to dismiss CSX railroad's fraud conspiracy claim against Bridgeport radiologist Ray Harron.
No dissents so far in Court's first 10 opinions
Benjamin CHARLESTON – West Virginia's new Supreme Court of Appeals decided its first 10 cases without a single dissent.
Clifford stamp ceremony is Feb. 20 at state Capitol
Clifford CHARLESTON –- J.R. Clifford belongs on a postal stamp because, 111 years ago, he carved into West Virginia law the right of full education for descendants of slaves.
State must submit plan to prevent juvenile racial injustice
CHARLESTON – West Virginia leaders must convince the U.S. Department of Justice that they can prevent racial discrimination in juvenile justice or they will lose a portion of their federal funds.
Car dealer wrong to sue Honda, Justices affirm
CHARLESTON – South Charleston auto dealer Lester Raines jumped the gun by suing his Honda distributor before it triggered a state law that kept dealers of the same brand at least 15 miles apart, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Justices uphold firing of Pocahontas teacher
CHARLESTON -– Pocahontas County teacher Norman Alderman deserved to lose his job for calling his employers cockroaches, thieves and worse, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Class action claims Chrysler vehicles had defective engines
CHARLESTON – Automaker Chrysler owes West Virginians at least $5 million for selling vehicles with defective engines, according to a class action suit that Alabama lawyers filed for an Ohio couple in West Virginia.
Judges must resolve old fee disputes in settlements, Justices rule
Davis CHARLESTON – When West Virginia circuit judges approve settlements, they must resolve any fee disputes between lawyers and previous lawyers, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Dominion to pay about 25,000 under oil, gas well settlement
CHARLESTON – Dominion Transmission will send checks to about 25,000 owners and lessors of oil and gas wells under settlement of a class action suit in U.S. District Court.
CSX seeks fees, punitives in Harron case
Harron WHEELING –- CSX Transportation expects a big punitive damages award on its claim that Bridgeport radiologist Ray Harron falsified X-ray readings to help asbestos lawyers file bogus suits.
McDowell judge takes over important gas royalties case
WELCH – McDowell Circuit Judge Rudolph Murensky has taken charge of litigation that will sort out rights to gas royalties all over West Virginia.
Salvage yard named in 40 suits about metal shredder
CHARLESTON – Flecks of former automobiles and appliances fall on Glasgow like rain, according to 40 lawsuits in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Copenhaver sends AT&T cell phone cases to arbitration
CHARLESTON – U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver has stopped a class action suit that accused AT&T Mobility of sneaking roadside service charges into monthly cellular telephone bills.
Justices hear case of fired Pocahontas teacher
CHARLESTON – Justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals must decide whether the Pocahontas Board of Education can fire its toughest critic.
Workman secured improper order, attorney claims
Workman CHARLESTON – Michael Ranson complains to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals that another lawyer damaged his client. This is a thorny patch for the justices because Ranson points the finger at one of them.
Federal judge rules against DNR chief again
Jezioro ELKINS – Once again, U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey has stripped Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro of immunity as a state official from a lawsuit claiming he violated rights of West Virginia citizens.