News from June 2009
Woman sues funeral homes over unauthorized cremation
CHARLESTON – A woman is suing two funeral homes, claiming at least one of them, or both, are responsible for the unauthorized cremation of her deceased husband.
Lawsuit filed over $5M hotel near Morgantown
MORGANTOWN – A development company is suing an Oregon-based contractor, claiming the contractor did not complete a hotel project on time and abandoned the project with major defects.
So, what's next in the Massey recusal saga?
Blankenship CHARLESTON – The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin should have stepped down from a Massey Energy case because of Don Blankenship's spending in the 2004 campaign certainly isn't the end of the saga.
Chiropractor says company 'cold called' potential patients
WHEELING – An Ohio County chiropractic business is suing a referral service because it "cold called" potential clients in violation of the agreement.
McGraw sues Wisconsin-based fund-raiser
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has joined at least 30 other states in suing a Wisconsin-based fundraiser, claiming it misrepresented to donors how much would go to the charities for which it collected.
Eli Lilly: W.Va's claim for civil penalties inappropriate, greedy
McGraw NEW YORK - Pharmaceuticals manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co. had more harsh words Friday for state Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
Benjamin comments on U.S. Supreme Court opinion
CHARLESTON -- Brent D. Benjamin, chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, released a statement Monday afternoon concerning the ruling issued earlier in the day by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Caperton attorney 'jubilant' over ruling
Fawcett CHARLESTON -- One of the attorneys for Hugh Caperton and his mining company understandably are "jubilant" with the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling that it was unconstitutional for a state Supreme Court justice to hear a case involving the fiscal activities of the judge's election campaign major donors.
Company sues county officials over Best Buy sign
CHARLESTON – A Florida company says the Ohio County Development Authority, a public body, owes them nearly $30,000 for installing a sign for a new Best Buy store at a shopping area outside Wheeling.
Couple sues former Ohio County Sheriff over wreck
WHEELING – An Ohio County couple is suing a long-time sheriff of the county for a car wreck.
U.S. Supreme Court says Benjamin should have recused
Benjamin CHARLESTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision said West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin should have stepped aside in a case involving Massey Energy.
Couple sues Sears over flooded house
WHEELING – A Wheeling couple is suing Sears, claiming an employee improperly hooked up a water line to a new refrigerator and flooded their home.
Woman says stuff was ruined in storage facility
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha woman says a mini-storage company allowed water to creep into a space she rented, causing nearly $11,000 in damage to her belongings.
Court says jurors could see lawyer's sarcasm for what it was
McHugh CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Supreme Court says a Marshall County woman will not get a new trial in her medical malpractice lawsuit, even though the lawyer for the defendant doctor gave closing arguments laced with sarcasm.
Judge Seibert stands tall
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil," said British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke, "is that good men do nothing." Which raises the question: Why do good men do nothing?
Court sides with same-sex couple in adoption case
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has sided with a same-sex couple who sought to prevent a judge from removing one of their foster children because they were not a "traditional" family.
*** Ted Dues: A legal career gone awry
CHARLESTON -- In Ted Dues' 30 years as a lawyer, records show better part than half of it was sent fighting legal, ethical and financial battles. Below, is a timeline of those battles compiled from previous stories published in The West Virginia Record.
Man sues C&O Motors over firing
CHARLESTON -- A man is suing a major local car dealership, saying a co-worker was hostile toward him and he was fired for reporting the behavior.
Court overturns woman's murder conviction
Ketchum CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court has overturned a Cabell County woman's conviction for killing her husband, ordered her to be set free and for the lower court to enter a judgment of acquittal on her behalf.
Lawmakers give public defenders $21 million
CHARLESTON – On a request from Gov. Joe Manchin, state lawmakers this week approved a $21 million special appropriation to pay court-appointed lawyers statewide.