Most Vengeful Verdict: ‘Revenge Porn’ Verdict Partially Upheld in Texas Appeals Court

Houston's Fourteenth Court of Appeals upheld parts of the civil damages won by a woman whose ex posted an online sex video of her, according to an article from the Texas Lawyer.

However, an appeals court dismissed awards for “intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation.” Nadia Hussain sued Akhil Patel, claiming he harassed her with threatening text messages, hacked her accounts and posted videos of sexual encounters he secretly recorded.

A Harris County jury accepted Hussain's claims of “intentional infliction (IIED), intrusion on seclusion, public disclosure of private facts and defamation,” and she was awarded $500,000 for mental anguish and exemplary damages, according to the article. On appeal, Patel contended the trial court should have dismissed parts of the decision, including the awards for defamation, IIED and mental anguish damages “because Hussain did not suffer a substantial disruption in her daily routine.” The judgement was reduced to $345,000.

Most Aquatic Verdict: ‘Shrimp Boy’ Guilty in Murder, Racketeering

An undercover investigation helped secure guilty verdicts in a racketeering and murder case against Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow, according to an article from KTVU, a Fox affiliate.

California state Sen. Leland Yee also pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge related to the case. Prosecutors alleged Chow killed the head of a “fraternal” organization and then proceeded to assume the role of its leader. Chow allegedly used the organization to traffic drugs, sell stolen cigarettes and alcohol and launder money. The defense contested the case against Chow was built on “secret surveillance and shady witnesses,” adding the government used public money to court Chow with meals and liquor during the undercover investigation, according to the article. 

Most Seaworthy Verdict: Judge Chucks $21.5M Award After Learning of Deleted Emails

A judge threw out a $21.5 million verdict awarded to an Illinois man who said he was injured while on a cruise in 2011, according to an article from the Associated Press. 

James R. Hausman was on an around-the-world-cruise and said he “suffered dizziness and seizures” after an automatic sliding door closed and hit his head. However, Hausman’s former assistant told the courts he had deleted emails unfavorable to his case. He also failed to disclose one of his email accounts, according to the story.

The judge also took issue with Hausman’s testimony. "As a witness, he came across evasive and untrustworthy," the judge wrote. "He appeared to weigh each answer, not for its truthfulness, but to assess whether it would damage his case. Mr. Hausman also seemed to capitalize on his alleged brain injury when it was convenient for him. He was confused or claimed memory loss when confronted with a question or exhibit that appeared to undermine his claims, yet was animated and full or information when his testimony supported his case."

Most Medical Verdict: Allegedly Misread Mammogram Yields $6.9M Award

A former Air Force flight nurse expected to live just another two to three years after her mammogram was misread. She was awarded $6.9 million by a Charleston, S.C. jury, according to an article in The State.

Lenna Loud, 47, is married with two children. Her husband, William was a plaintiff in the case as well. The defendants, Dr. Jeffrey Short and Charleston Radiologists, contested they followed normal medical standards and acted in good faith. According to expert testimony in the case, Loud would have had an 80-100% chance of beating the cancer had the diagnosis come sooner.

“This case was about accountability and responsibility, and in this case, a big mistake was made,” the plaintiff’s lawyer said. “Suing a doctor is not a[n] easy or certainly not popular, especially in Charleston. But when people won’t accept responsibility, you go to the court system. Twelve jurors understood that.”

Most Capital Verdict: Mandatory Life Sentence in Kidnapping, Murder Case

Arron Lewis will serve a mandatory life sentence for the capital murder and kidnapping of realtor Beverly Carter, according to an article from THV11, a CBS affiliate.

Carter disappeared in September 2014 after showing a home in Arkansas. A four-day search did not turn up anything, but other information later led Pulaski County to where Carter’s body was found. The defense claimed Carter died during a sexual encounter. Carter’s family requested the capital case not carry the death penalty. An appeal is planned.