Most Split Verdict: Ohio Brothers Cleared of Manslaughter In Deadly Playground Fight
Tyler and Deshawn Stafford, two brothers charged with the murder of Ethan Liming, 17, were acquitted of voluntary manslaughter charges but found guilty of separate assault charges after a schoolyard incident turned deadly, according to an article from Fox 8. During a basketball game, Liming and friends began “firing gel guns at them as a prank” leading to a fatal altercation between the brothers and Liming. The Summit County prosecutor’s office is considering whether a first-degree involuntary manslaughter charge will be retried in the wake of jurors being split on the matter.
Most Corrupt Verdict: Ex-Turks and Caicos Deputy Premier Guilty Of Bribery, Corruption
Former Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Premier Floyd Hall was found guilty of bribery and for “concealing the proceeds of criminal conduct” after a decade-long investigation into top officials of the islands, according to an article from The Associated Press. Additionally, Hall was found not guilty on separate conspiracy to defraud charges. The hot-button case led to outrage in the islands as widespread corruption led to the British government taking direct control of the Caribbean territories in 2009.
Most Boozy Verdict: $56M Infringement Verdict Against Molson Coors Stands, Judge Rules
A federal judge in San Diego upheld a $56 million verdict against brewing giant Molson Coors after its 2017 rebrand of Keystone Light was said to have infringed on a local craft brewer’s trademark rights, according to an article from the Times of San Diego. At the heart of the issue was Coors’ use of the word “Stone” on its packaging. That usage prompted Stone Brewing to file the lawsuit after it identified confusion among distributors and retailers.
Most Technological Verdict: Google Wins Appeal in Playlist Feature Patent Lawsuit
A federal judge in Delaware overturned a $15.1 million verdict against Google after finding a jury “could not have reasonably found” Google’s tech works the same way patent holder Personal Audio’s software technology works, according to an article from Reuters. The lawsuit stems from disagreements pertaining to playlist features on the Google Play Music app. Personal Audio is appealing the decision.
Most Incomplete Verdict: Man Cuts GPS Tracker, Flees Day of Being Found Guilty of Murdering Wife
An Iowa man found guilty for the murder of his wife is on the lam after skipping town just before his verdict came down, according to an article from The New York Post. As such, Gregory Allen Showalter did not show up for the last day of his Ottumwa trial, and was reported to have turned off his phone and severed a GPS ankle monitor as part of a daring escape. Police said to consider Showalter, who has been out of jail on bail since the summer of 2021, “armed and dangerous” as a manhunt is conducted.