Steve Korris News
Justices reverse insurance antitrust verdict
Jernigan CHARLESTON -– West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals reversed a $4,233,627 antitrust verdict against Erie Insurance, finding that Mercer County Circuit Judge William Sadler incorrectly identified Erie subsidiaries as separate corporations.
Recht shouldn't have prevented insurance hearing, Justices rule
Recht CHARLESTON -– Circuit Judge Arthur Recht of Wheeling prevented a hearing he should have held on a doctor's malpractice insurance policy, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Man facing life for officer's murder gets new trial
CHARLESTON -– Michael Martin, facing life in prison without mercy for his part in the murder of Beckley policeman Chuck Smith, has won a new trial.
Attorney attacks tainted jurors, Justices rule
CHARLESTON -– A Huntington attorney tainted Cabell County jurors with personal attacks on an opposing lawyer, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Davis dissents, says DOH should be held in two deaths
Davis CHARLESTON – West Virginia's highway division improperly escaped responsibility for two deaths, according to state Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis.
DOJ, Gazette ask for another stay
CHARLESTON – Department of Justice antitrust lawyers and owners of the Charleston Gazette once again have asked for a little more time to settle civil charges that Gazette owners created an illegal monopoly when they bought the Daily Mail.
Mall didn't discriminate, Justices rule
CHARLESTON – Charleston Town Center guards did not discriminate against two African-American teens, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals says.
Justices reject woman's comp claim for tripping in street
CHARLESTON – West Virginia's Supreme Court of Appeals rejected a workers compensation claim from a woman who tripped as she crossed a street on a 15-minute break from her job.
Commission asks judge to reconsider Far Away Farms case dismissal
Bastress MARTINSBURG –- Six days after U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey dismissed a suit to block construction of homes on 123 acres in Jefferson County, the county planning commission urged him to think twice.
Parents of boys killed in wreck can't sue state, Justices rule
Workman CHARLESTON -– Parents of two young men who drowned when their vehicle dropped off the edge of a single lane bridge can't sue the state Division of Highways, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided.
Federal judge dismisses Jefferson zoning appeal
MARTINSBURG – U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey won't second guess a West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decision approving construction of homes on 123 acres in Jefferson County.
Phila. judge declares mistrial after lawyer repeats offense
PHILADELPHIA –- Two days after a Philadelphia judge punished a Texas attorney for grandstanding, the lawyer pulled another stunt and the judge declared a mistrial.
McGraw altered federal suit, Rite Aid claims
McGraw CHARLESTON – Owners of retailer Rite Aid claim West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw altered a suit over generic drug prices in a bid to escape federal jurisdiction.
Three W.Va. firms on national Comcast case committee
PHILADELPHIA – West Virginia law firms won three of 13 seats on a committee that will guide national litigation against cable provider Comcast.
Judge cancels Mingo deputy trial; sheriff prevails
CHARLESTON – Five days before a trial would have started between Mingo County Sheriff Lonnie Hannah and former deputy Roy Glenn Messer, U.S. District Judge Copenhaver cancelled the trial and declared Hannah the winner.
Charleston newspaper antitrust suit might be nearing end
CHARLESTON –- Department of Justice antitrust lawyers and owners of Charleston's Gazette and Daily Mail newspapers asked for three weeks to settle civil charges that the Gazette created an illegal monopoly when it bought the Daily Mail.
Justices rule Progressive must pay penalty
Ketchum CHARLESTON – Progressive Classic Insurance must pay thousands of dollars for thumbing its nose at Harrison Circuit Judge Thomas Bedell, the Supreme Court of Appeals decided on Oct. 13.
Dubious Digitek cases being dropped
CHARLESTON – Double doses of Digitek heart medicine didn't kill anybody, but national class action and wrongful death litigation over the drug keeps growing.
Rite Aid wants McGraw's suit dismissed
McGraw CHARLESTON – Owners of Rite Aid stores moved on Oct. 9 to dismiss a suit from Attorney General Darrell McGraw claiming they overcharge for generic drugs.
Court upholds ruling that man must pay child support for another's child
CHARLESTON – Wood Circuit Judge J.D. Beane properly ordered a man to support another man's child, the Supreme Court of Appeals decided on Oct. 13.