Walter King Stapleton
How Judge Stapleton rules, drawn from 36 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Stapleton no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Stapleton decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
At summary judgment, a later affidavit does not create a factual dispute when it contradicts repeated sworn testimony on a material issue and the witness offers no satisfactory explanation for the change.
“When, as in the present case, the affiant was carefully questioned on the issue, had access to the relevant information at that time, and provided no satisfactory explanation for the later contradiction, the courts of appeals are in agreement that the subsequent affidavit does not create a genuine issue of material fact.”
A prisoner's medical-care claim may reach a factfinder when evidence permits an inference that prescribed, time-sensitive treatment was deliberately delayed for nonmedical reasons rather than as an exercise of medical judgment.
“if the failure to provide adequate care in the form of physical therapy was deliberate, and motivated by non-medical factors, then Durmer has a viable claim.”
Procedural preferences
A temporary restraining order continued beyond its authorized period is treated as a preliminary injunction and cannot remain in place indefinitely without a developed injunction record and supporting factual findings.
“The district court's July 15th order denying the motion to vacate and thus continuing the temporary restraining order must be vacated because it had the same effect as a preliminary injunction, but was entered without the development of a preliminary injunction record and findings of fact by the court.”
Cautions
In considering an ERISA fee request, culpability is distinct from bad faith. The absence of an ulterior motive does not end the inquiry, although merely losing the case does not itself establish culpability.
“A losing party may be culpable, however, without having acted with an ulterior motive.”
A sentencing enhancement for trial perjury requires findings addressing falsity, materiality, and willful intent. A guilty verdict and the jury's rejection of the defendant's testimony do not by themselves supply every required finding.
“the trial court must make findings to support all the elements of a perjury violation in the specific case”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The final order of the district court will be affirmed.”
“Accordingly, the judgment of the district court will be affirmed.”
“We will reverse the judgment of the district court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
“In light of the foregoing we will vacate the district court’s judgment and remand the case to that court.”
“For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court will be reversed and the case will be remanded to the district court with an instruction that it enter summary judgment in favor of Penn Power.”
“Because the allegations of the complaint in this case reflect neither ‘long-term’ criminal conduct nor the threat thereof, the judgment of the district court will be affirmed.”
“We will vacate the order of the district court denying the Union’s motion.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we will reverse the judgment of the district court and remand with directions that the award of attorney’s fees be vacated.”
“This Court will vacate the original sentence and remand to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
“Accordingly, we will reverse the judgment of the district court and remand this case to the district court for the entry of a judgment consistent with this opinion.”
“Because we disagree with the district court’s interpretation of § 3B1.1, we will vacate the sentence and remand to the district court for resentencing.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Circuit judges do not carry a trial caseload; not enumerated. (The pre-1985 D. Del. district docket is a separate unbuilt target.)
A historical record
Judge Stapleton no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.