judge gregory phillips
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10th Circuit upholds $20M award to Fort Collins after jury found vendor acted fraudulently
The Denver-based federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a jury’s verdict finding a technology vendor made false representations to Fort Collins when attempting to secure a contract, for which the company must pay nearly $20 million. After Fort Collins voters approved the creation of municipal broadband in 2017, the city sought a provider to develop a…
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10th Circuit rules Denver deputy will face trial for punching man in wheelchair
The Colorado-based federal appeals court agreed on Friday that a Denver sheriff’s deputy will face a civil jury trial for using “arbitrary and punitive force” against a restrained man who spat on him. Video footage from 2019 captured Deputy Jason Gentempo punching and shoving Serafin Finn, who was in a wheelchair, to the ground after Finn…
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Colorado Supreme Court to say whether self-defense in workplace is grounds for termination
The Colorado Supreme Court will decide whether employers may terminate workers for using self-defense in the workplace. Last week, the justices agreed to answer the question posed by a federal judge who is deciding whether a former convenience store clerk’s wrongful discharge lawsuit should proceed to a jury trial. Although U.S. District Court Judge Nina…
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Federal, state judges give the do’s and don’ts of criminal appeals | APPELLATE UPDATE
Members of the state and federal appeals courts based in Denver spoke to attorneys on Friday about strategies for properly litigating criminal appeals, including how to make arguments based on body-worn camera footage. Justice Brian D. Boatright, Judge Karl L. Schock of the Court of Appeals and Judge Gregory A. Phillips of the U.S. Court…
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10th Circuit says parents failed to show school policies on gender identity violated their rights
Two sets of parents failed to show how a Larimer County school district’s policies, which addressed how staff should treat students’ gender identities, were responsible for their “strained” family relationship, the Denver-based federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday. At the same time, one judge suggested a policy enabling staff to keep parents “in the dark” about…
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10th Circuit opens door for class-action challenge to Colorado’s unclaimed property program
The Denver-based federal appeals court reinstated constitutional rights claims on Friday against Colorado’s treasurer, potentially opening the door to a class-action lawsuit over how the state has set up its process for reuniting people with their unclaimed property. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled that two plaintiffs…
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10th Circuit: Sheriff’s deputies have no immunity for letting dog attack Highlands Ranch man
‘What are you talking about?’ Judge Gregory Phillips asked the deputies’ lawyer after hearing argument that it may have been reasonable if the dog had bitten a child
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10th Circuit dismisses man’s lawsuit against Arvada detective, accuser for rape accusation
The Denver-based federal appeals court agreed last week that a man had not credibly alleged he was prosecuted for rape without probable cause because, in part, he apologized for raping the alleged victim on a recorded phone call. Gary Weidner III sued Detective Kristin Ames and his former romantic partner, identified as “Jane Doe,” after…
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10th Circuit says Lakewood sergeant has immunity for fatally shooting man in burning basement
The Denver-based federal appeals court agreed on Thursday that a Lakewood police sergeant did not violate a man’s constitutional rights by shooting and killing him while trying to evacuate him from a burning basement. Jason Waterhouse was behaving erratically when he barricaded himself in the basement of his sister’s home, then started a fire while…
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10th Circuit grants immunity to Elbert County sergeant for shooting unarmed man
The federal appeals court based in Denver ruled on Thursday that an Elbert County sheriff’s employee cannot be held liable for shooting an unarmed man who startled him. Joel Hernandez sued Sgt. Mike Skalisky for excessive force for shooting him at the Kiowa Industrial Park in March 2021. In response, Skalisky invoked qualified immunity, which…