Most Grammatical Verdict: Case Rests on Labor Laws, Dairy Drivers and Grammar
A group of dairy drivers in Maine argued they are entitled to overtime pay based on the lack of an Oxford comma in a statute enumerating overtime exemptions, according to an article from CNN.
The judge declared the statue to be unclear and said labor laws, when ambiguous, are intended to benefit laborers. "For want of a comma, we have this case," the judge wrote. Ironically, state guidelines for lawmakers indicate Oxford commas, which come between the penultimate and last items in a list, need not be used.
Most Occupational Verdict: Four Guilty in Oregon Sanctuary Occupation
Jason Patrick and Darryl Thorn face up to six years in prison for their role in the armed occupation of a federal bird sanctuary that drew national attention, according to an article from The New York Times.
Patrick and Thorn were found guilty of conspiracy, while Duane Ehmer and Jake Ryan were found guilty of deprivation of government property, but acquitted on conspiracy charges.
The men were part of a group led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy that occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon for more than a month last year. Ammon and Ryan Bundy, along with five other occupants, were found not guilty of conspiracy in October. Several arrests were made in the case during a traffic stop on Jan. 26 that ultimately led to the fatal shooting of LaVoy Finicum, the occupation’s spokesman.
Most Constitutional Verdict: SCOTUS Finds Jurors Exhibiting Racism Can Nullify Verdicts
Five of eight Supreme Court Justices agreed a verdict can be nullified if it can be shown racism played a role in the jury deliberations, according to an article from Elite Daily.
A juror in the sexual assault case of Miguel Angel Peña Rodriguez admitted after his part in convicting Peña Rodriguez he thought he was guilty, in part, due to having Mexican heritage. Peña Rodriguez brought his case to the Colorado Supreme Court, arguing he was not afforded his Sixth Amendment right of a fair and impartial trial. The Colorado court ruled against him 4-3, prompting him to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in his favor.
Most Medical Verdict: J&J Scores Victory in Talc-ovarian Cancer Case
After being handed a number of defeats, Johnson & Johnson won its first case related to claims its feminine hygiene talc powder causes ovarian cancer, according to an article from Fair Warning.
The St. Louis jury ruled in favor of the pharmaceutical giant after three plaintiffs last year won almost $200 million in damages from J&J and, in one of the cases, supplier Imerys Talc America, Inc. The plaintiff, Nora Daniels of Columbia, Tenn., was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013. Daniels is one of more than 2,000 women who claim J&J products had a role in their ovarian cancer. Some studies show genital talc use increases the risk of ovarian cancer by about 30%, while other studies have shown no correlation. Daniels’ disease is currently in remission.
Most Personal Verdict: Man Guilty for Stealing Panties, Perfume and Prescriptions
A Colorado man was found guilty of breaking into four Grand Junction homes and stealing a number of personal items including “panties, bras, shoes, cash, family photographs, perfume, prescription drugs, [and] marijuana,” according to an article from the Daily Sentinel.
Jerry Madrid was convicted of theft, burglary, trespass and other charges. He was arrested in December of 2015 for stealing the items from nine women. Madrid, who has a lengthy rap sheet, has arrests dating back to 1999 and he was previously sentenced to 18 years in prison and mandatory parole.