Federal Courts

Emmanuel King Shaw v. Byron Watson - Appeal of Dismissed Motion

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a motion for relief from judgment as an unauthorized successive petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The court denied authorization for a successive petition, citing lack of prefiling authorization.

Brandon Thompson Appeal Dismissed by Fourth Circuit

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Brandon J. Thompson's appeal of a district court order denying his motion for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The court found that Thompson failed to make the requisite showing for a certificate of appealability, thus denying the appeal.

US v. Rashaun Taylor - Appeal Dismissed for Untimely Filing

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Rashaun Taylor's appeal for lack of jurisdiction due to an untimely filed notice of appeal. The court denied his motions to consolidate and for Brady v. Maryland consideration, upholding the district court's order denying his motion to compel discovery.

US v. Okechukwu Dimkpa - Affirmation of Conviction

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a physician's motion to vacate his conviction for unlawfully distributing oxycodone. The court found that the defendant procedurally defaulted his claim, which was based on a subsequent Supreme Court ruling regarding the mens rea requirement for such offenses, and did not demonstrate sufficient cause to overcome this default.

Christopher Martin v. Joseph Walters - Appeal Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Christopher James Martin's appeal of a district court's order. The court denied Martin's request for a certificate of appealability, finding he did not make the requisite showing of a denial of a constitutional right.

McKeever v. State of North Carolina - Appeal Dismissed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal filed by William N. McKeever, a North Carolina inmate, due to a late filing of the notice of appeal. The court found that the appeal period expired before McKeever filed his notice, thus lacking jurisdiction.

Eric Exum v. Lieutenant Donna - Civil Action Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a civil action filed by inmate Eric Ricardo Exum. The court found that Exum forfeited appellate review by failing to challenge the district court's ruling in his informal brief.

US v. Tito Knox - Appeal from South Carolina District Court Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision denying Tito Knox's motion to terminate conditional release and supervision. The court found that Knox forfeited appellate review by not challenging the district court's disposition in his informal brief.

Ward v. United States - Appeal of Compassionate Release Denial

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of David Clarence Ward's motion for compassionate release. The court found no abuse of discretion in denying the motion, which cited extraordinary and compelling reasons and considered sentencing factors.

Ralston v. Clarke - Civil Rights Appeal

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil action filed by a Virginia inmate. The court found no abuse of discretion in the denial of the inmate's motion for appointment of counsel or in delaying discovery rulings pending a motion to dismiss. The inmate forfeited appellate review by not challenging the district court's disposition in his informal brief.