US Courts

Roland v. State of Iowa - Postconviction Relief Appeal

The Iowa Court of Appeals decided Case No. 24-1167, affirming in part and reversing in part the district court's denial of William Roland's postconviction relief application. The court affirmed the denial of Roland's ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim but reversed the dismissal of his actual-innocence claim, remanding for further proceedings on that claim.

Roland v. Iowa - Postconviction Relief (Alford Plea)

Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part a postconviction relief application filed by William Roland challenging his Alford plea to a misdemeanor assault charge. The court affirmed denial of his ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim but reversed the dismissal of his actual-innocence claim, remanding for further proceedings because the district court improperly barred that claim without evaluating whether the evidence met the actual-innocence standard.

Reed v. Anderson - Real Estate Contract Dispute

Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's declaratory judgment in Chad Michael Reed v. Dean Edward Anderson (Case No. 24-1340), ruling that $115,200 is due on a 2016 real estate purchase agreement. The court upheld the calculation of the original purchase price less earnest money already paid. Anderson's claims regarding interest and tax reimbursement were dismissed for failure to preserve the issues.

Reed v. Anderson - Farmland Contract Dispute

The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's ruling in a farmland contract dispute between Chad Reed and Dean Anderson. The appellate court upheld that Anderson is not entitled to cash rent from Reed for the period since the 2016 purchase contract was signed. Anderson sought a declaratory ruling attempting to credit unpaid rent against the $50,000 earnest money, which the court rejected.

Jacob Archer sentence appeal dismissed, plea agreement

Jacob Archer sentence appeal dismissed, plea agreement

Frederick Bissinger v. Morash Family Limited Partnership

The Rhode Island Supreme Court, evenly divided, affirmed the judgment of Newport County Superior Court in the civil case Frederick Bissinger et al. v. Morash Family Limited Partnership et al. The Court issued a one-line order without issuing a substantive opinion on the merits. Chief Justice Suttell did not participate; Justice Goldberg participated but retired before publication.

LS 693 v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al - Product Liability

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California docketed a new civil product liability lawsuit on April 1, 2026. Plaintiff Jane Doe LS 693 filed a complaint against Uber Technologies, Inc. and all defendants alleging personal injury. The case (3:26-cv-02828) was filed with a $405 filing fee and is based on diversity jurisdiction.

Clark Methamphetamine Sentencing Appeal Affirmed

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed the Carbon County District Court's September 26, 2025 sentencing order for Kenneth Wayne Clark, who pleaded guilty to felony methamphetamine possession and misdemeanor DUI. The court granted appellate counsel's Anders motion to withdraw after finding no meritorious issues on appeal. Clark received a 60-day sentence for the misdemeanor and a 3-5 year sentence (suspended) for the felony.

Hisel Bailey v. Woomer - Employment Action/Patient Abuse Allegations

The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed the Kanawha County Circuit Court's June 18, 2025, order granting summary judgment to defendants and dismissing the action with prejudice. The appellate court also affirmed the November 19, 2024, order denying plaintiff's motion for leave to amend the complaint. The case involved allegations of physical abuse by a registered nurse at a state psychiatric facility (MMBH) during a patient restraint incident.

G. v. Uber Technologies - Personal Injury Product Liability

C.G. filed a civil complaint against Uber Technologies, Inc., Rasier, LLC, and Rasier-CA, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on April 1, 2026. The complaint alleges personal injury and product liability claims (case number 3:26-cv-02818), with a filing fee of $405. The case is based on diversity jurisdiction.