William Homer Thornberry
How Judge Thornberry rules, drawn from 32 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Thornberry no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Thornberry
William Homer Thornberry was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Judge Thornberry received a commission on July 1, 1965. Judge Thornberry previously served on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, commissioned there on December 17, 1963. Judge Thornberry assumed senior status on December 21, 1978 and served until death on December 12, 1995.
How Judge Thornberry decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In King v. Collins, Thornberry granted habeas relief because the evidence could not support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that King intended to deliver cocaine to the named recipient.
“the jury could not have found beyond a reasonable doubt that King intended to deliver cocaine to Roemisch.”
Treats expert testimony as evidence for the fact-finder to weigh, never as conclusive.
“The testimony of experts is not conclusive even when it is uncontradicted”
In McQueen Contracting v. Fidelity & Deposit Co., he held that a subcontractor's recovery was limited to a separate payment bond and did not extend to the companion performance bond issued for a Biloxi apartment project.
“afforded more than the statutorily required protection to laborers and materialmen”
Procedural preferences
In United States v. Lewis, Thornberry affirmed a remedy that reduced a special parole term to the maximum stated when Lewis pleaded guilty, despite the district court’s Rule 11 error; he held that vacating the plea was unnecessary in these circumstances.
“it is not necessary in every instance to vacate a plea that was accepted in violation of Rule 11.”
In Alvarez v. Estelle, Thornberry independently examined the federal double-jeopardy waiver question on habeas despite a state court finding that the petitioner had waived it.
“finding of waiver does not bar an independent determination of the question by a federal court on habeas corpus”
In Hanssen v. Qantas Airways, he reversed summary judgment for a tour operator because the airline's deposit letter was ambiguous about whether paying a deposit guaranteed 406 seats for Halley's Comet tours.
“we hold that the contract is ambiguous and creates a genuine issue of material fact”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Viewing the totality of the circumstances, we cannot say that there was a violation of due process. Affirmed.”
“The judgment is reversed and the case remanded for a new trial. Reversed and remanded.”
“Consequently, the probability that appellant was prejudiced is slight, and the ends of justice would not be served by a reversal. Affirmed.”
“The police cannot be faulted. The convictions are affirmed. Affirmed.”
“Under these circumstances, we feel the only just disposition is to remand the case for a new trial.”
“Thus, finding no infirmity in the Eastern District of Louisiana jury selection procedures, we affirm the convictions.”
“The judgment of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida is affirmed. Affirmed.”
“Accordingly, the district court’s denial of appellant’s application under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 is affirmed. AFFIRMED.”
“None of them merit reversal of their convictions. We affirm.”
“For the foregoing reasons appellant’s conviction is AFFIRMED.”
“Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the district court in the § 2255 proceeding and vacate the district court’s order of December 22, 1976, resentencing Kent to two years. REVERSED.”
A historical record
Judge Thornberry no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.