Walter Irving McCoy
How Judge McCoy rules, drawn from 5 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge McCoy no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge McCoy
Walter Irving McCoy was a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Supreme Court of the District of Columbia). Appointed by President Woodrow Wilson, Judge McCoy received a commission on October 2, 1914. Judge McCoy left the court on May 31, 1918 on appointment to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Supreme Court of the District of Columbia).
How Judge McCoy decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Jackson v. District of Columbia, McCoy permitted testimony that a standard manhole cover had long been used safely as evidence of reasonable care. He did not treat that evidence as conclusive.
“there was no error in admitting the testimony as evidence of the exercise of reasonable care.”
He took judicial notice that ergonomically shaped tool handles were old and varied when assessing claimed patent novelty.
“The court will take judicial notice of the fact that tool handles designed to fit the hands are very old and of infinite variety”
Cautions
He held a plaintiff to the statutory-bond theory expressly pleaded rather than recasting the instrument as a voluntary bond.
“the declaration counts specifically upon a statutory bond.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The decision of the Assistant Commissioner of Patents is affirmed.”
“The decision of the Commissioner is affirmed. Affirmed.”
“The decision of the Commissioner of Patents is reversed, and the clerk is directed to certify these proceedings as by law required.”
A historical record
Judge McCoy 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.