Woman accused of homicide, dismemberment ruled fit for trial
March 24, 2023 GMTGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A woman accused of killing and dismembering a man in Wisconsin is competent to stand trial, a court ruled Friday.
Judge Thomas Walsh issued the ruling and set a July 21 start date for Taylor Schabusiness' trial in Brown County Circuit Court, WLUK-TV reported.
Court reverses Alabama officer’s 2021 murder conviction
March 24, 2023 GMTHUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday overturned the murder conviction of a police officer convicted of killing a man who was holding a gun to his own head.
India expels Rahul Gandhi, Modi critic, from Parliament
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India's top opposition leader and fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expelled from Parliament Friday, a day after a court convicted him of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison for mocking the surname Modi in an election speech.
Sex trafficking plea deal unending ‘nightmare’ for Texas mom
March 24, 2023 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Irma Reyes’ mind raced as her husband drove through the predawn darkness toward a courthouse hundreds of miles from home: Don’t they know my daughter matters?
Reyes had been barely able to eat since she heard that Texas prosecutors planned to let the two men charged with sex trafficking her daughter walk free.
Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US gov’t workers
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s order that federal employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been blocked by a federal appeals court.
New Mexico tribe keeps title to portion of national preserve
March 24, 2023 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Native American tribe has been granted title to a portion of a national preserve in northern New Mexico following a yearslong court battle against the federal government, a ruling that could provide hope to other tribes seeking to regain rights to their traditional homelands.
North Carolina auditor pleads guilty to hit-and-run
March 23, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's elected auditor pleaded guilty on Thursday to a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of a December crash in which she drove her state-owned vehicle into a parked car.
Hackers attack Wisconsin court system computer network
March 23, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hackers have attacked the Wisconsin court system's computer network, court officials said Thursday.
A cyberattack began early this week, according to a statement from court officials.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate OK with Jan. 6 participant
March 23, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court said Thursday that he had no problem with someone who was on the U.S.
Maine’s chief justice: Continuing backlog ‘hurts my heart’
March 23, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's backlog of criminal court cases remains about 60% to 65% higher than pre-pandemic levels, a stubborn figure the state has been unable to reduce over two years, the state's chief justice said Thursday.
Oxford school shooter’s parents can face manslaughter trial
March 23, 2023 GMTDETROIT (AP) — The parents of a teenager who killed four students at a Michigan high school can face trial for involuntary manslaughter, the state appeals court said Thursday in a groundbreaking case of criminal responsibility for the acts of a child.
Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy dispute
March 23, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A dispute between Jack Daniel's and the makers of a squeaking dog toy that mimics the whiskey's signature bottle gave the Supreme Court a lot to chew on Wednesday.
Judge halts Wyoming abortion ban days after it took effect
March 23, 2023 GMTCHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Abortion will again be legal in Wyoming — at least for now — after a judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a ban that took effect a few days earlier.
Oklahoma court OK’s abortion to preserve mother’s life
March 22, 2023 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A divided Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a portion of the state’s near total ban on abortion, ruling women have a right to abortion when pregnancy risks their health, not just in a medical emergency.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lawyer calls Utah ski collision story ‘BS’
March 22, 2023 GMTPARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Gwyneth Paltrow's lawyer called the story of a retired optometrist who is suing her over a 2016 ski collision “utter B.S.” on Tuesday during the trial's opening day in Utah, where the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer appeared in court looking somber.
Couple faces murder charges in Crow girl’s 2019 death
March 21, 2023 GMTBILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana couple faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence in the 2019 disappearance and death of a 6-year-old girl on the Crow Indian Reservation, according to court documents.
Attorney seen on video groping clients avoids disbarment
March 21, 2023 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court decided Tuesday not to disbar a defense attorney, who was caught on video groping six clients in a jail interview room, in a courthouse and while behind the wheel.
Apaches tell court copper mine would harm sacred sites
March 21, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — A Native American group that's trying to stop an effort to build one of the largest copper mines in the United States told a full federal appeals court panel Tuesday that the project would prevent Apaches from exercising their religion by destroying land they consider sacred.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates clash over abortion, maps
March 21, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The liberal candidate for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court didn't back down from her support for abortion rights or her belief that the state's Republican-drawn legislative maps are unfair during a debate Tuesday in which her GOP-backed opponent accused her of being “bought and paid for” by Democrats.
Supreme Court rules for deaf student in education case
March 21, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday for a deaf student who sued his public school system for providing an inadequate education.
Lawyers: Dispute over Van Gogh art in Detroit is settled
March 21, 2023 GMTDETROIT (AP) — A deal has been reached over control of an 1888 painting by Vincent van Gogh, lawyers said, weeks after the custody fight created public buzz and much tension near the end of a rare U.S.
Millions in extra funding pledged for ICC work in Ukraine
March 21, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — An international conference in London raised 4 million pounds ($4.9 million) to support the International Criminal Court in its investigations into alleged war crimes in Ukraine and its work to hold Russia to account, officials said Monday.
Supreme Court seems split in Navajo Nation water rights case
March 20, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seemed split Monday as it weighed a dispute involving the federal government and the Navajo Nation’s quest for water from the drought-stricken Colorado River.
States that draw water from the river — Arizona, Nevada and Colorado — and water districts in California that are also involved in the case urged the justices to rule against the tribe.
DeSantis to get 5th Supreme Court pick as Polston retires
March 20, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Ron DeSantis' already strong stamp on the Florida Supreme Court will be even greater for years to come after Justice Ricky Polston retires at the end of this month.
DeSantis will have appointed five of the court's seven justices when he replaces Polston, who sent DeSantis a three-sentence letter Monday announcing his resignation.
FIFA appeals to Swiss supreme court in Haiti abuse case
March 20, 2023 GMTZURICH (AP) — FIFA has appealed to Swiss federal judges after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a life ban for the former Haiti soccer federation president who was accused of multiple sexual offenses against players in women’s and girls’ national teams.
Supreme Court honors legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
March 17, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose death ahead of the 2020 election led to a conservative shift on the Supreme Court, was remembered Friday during ceremonies at the high court as a legendary champion for women's rights.
Alabama woman charged in killing of 8-year-old son
March 17, 2023 GMTHARTSELLE, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama woman has been charged in the killing of her 8-year-old son, who was found with a knife protruding from his chest, investigators said.
Jennifer Nicole Long, 41, of Hartselle, is charged with capital murder in the death of her son, the Morgan County sheriff's office said in a statement.
Florida man sentenced for role in Jan. 6 Capitol attack
March 17, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to four years and seven months in federal prison for three felony charges related to the insurrection and storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan.
2nd Vatican official says pope OK’d ransom payments for nun
March 17, 2023 GMTVATICAN CITY (AP) — A second high-ranking Holy See official told a Vatican court on Friday that Pope Francis had authorized spending hundreds of thousands of euros in ransom payments to try to free a nun who was kidnapped by al-Qaida-linked militants in Mali.
Pakistan court rejects ex-PM Khan’s plea to suspend warrant
March 17, 2023 GMTLAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani court on Thursday rejected a petition from former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lawyers to suspend a warrant for him to appear in court in a graft case linked to his term in office — a development that increases the likelihood of another police attempt to arrest the ousted premier.
Abortion ban injunction upheld by N. Dakota Supreme Court
March 16, 2023 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a state abortion ban will remain blocked while a lawsuit over its constitutionality proceeds.
Top court ruling unleashes permit upheaval in Puerto Rico
March 16, 2023 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A ruling by Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court has thrown into limbo hundreds of thousands of business and construction permits issued by a U.S. territory already struggling to attract investors amid an economic crisis.
Italy retrial ordered for Americans in killing of officer
March 16, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Italy’s highest court has ordered a retrial for two American citizens convicted in the slaying of an Italian police officer during a sting operation gone wrong.
The Court of Cassation late Wednesday threw out the guilty verdicts against Finnegan Lee Elder, now 23, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, 22, both convicted in the stabbing death of the 35-year-old caribiniere during a plainclothes operation in July 2019 while the Americans, teens at the time, were on vacation in Rome.
N. Carolina justices could revive voter ID previously tossed
March 15, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A photo voter identification mandate first sought over a decade ago by North Carolina Republicans could be revived after the state Supreme Court reheard on Wednesday a case that led a different combination of justices a few months ago to strike down a voter ID law.
Judge: Miami Beach can end liquor sales in area at 2 a.m.
March 15, 2023 GMTMIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Miami Beach officials can move forward with plans to end alcohol sales after 2 a.m. in certain parts of South Beach, an internationally famous tourist spot.
A Miami-Dade circuit judge ruled against a challenge by Story nightclub on Tuesday to an ordinance passed last month by Miami Beach city commissioners, according to court records.
Georgia high court undecided on fate of appeals judge
March 15, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Supreme Court on Wednesday said it cannot decide yet whether to remove a state Court of Appeals judge accused of ethical misconduct and asked a judicial discipline panel to review the case further.
Court: Ukraine can try to avoid repaying $3B loan to Russia
March 15, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Ukraine can go to trial to avoid repaying $3 billion in loans it said it took under pressure from Russia in 2013 to prevent it from trying to join the European Union.
With GOP majority, North Carolina court revisits voting maps
March 15, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A newly formed and now Republican-majority North Carolina Supreme Court listened on Tuesday to arguments that could determine the extent to which state legislators can create electoral districts that could help lock in their political power.
Ohio State asks court to hear Title IX issues in abuse suits
March 14, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State University is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider questions about the law known as Title IX in a case that affects whether more than 230 men can proceed with lawsuits against the school over decades-old sexual abuse by a team doctor, the late Richard Strauss.
Orioles ask New York’s top court to toss out payment to Nats
March 14, 2023 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The long-running fight between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals over television rights fees reached New York's highest court Tuesday when a lawyer for the Orioles argued a $296.8 million award for 2012-16 made by a panel of baseball executives should be thrown out and the case reheard by a different forum.
Ohio Supreme Court to review block of near-ban on abortion
March 14, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to review a county judge’s order that is blocking enforcement of the state's near-ban on abortions, and to consider whether the clinics challenging the law have legal standing to do so.
Illinois ban on cash bail in hands of state’s Supreme Court
March 14, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawmakers' effort to end cash bail is in the state Supreme Court's hands after justices heard arguments Tuesday on behalf of top Democrats, and a group of prosecutors and sheriffs who are challenging the law.
Retrial ordered for 87-year-old ex-boxer on Japan death row
March 14, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Tokyo’s high court on Monday ordered a retrial for an 87-year-old former boxer who has been on death row for more than five decades after his murder conviction that his lawyers said was based on forced confession and fabricated evidence.
Abortion pill hearing made public after transparency concern
March 13, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A judge is set to hear arguments this week in a lawsuit that poses a threat to the nationwide availability of medication abortion.
N. Carolina justices quickly revisit redistricting, voter ID
March 13, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Supreme Court is revisiting this week whether a previous combination of justices got it wrong three months ago when declaring that the legislature produced illegal district lines tainted by excess partisanship and a photo voter identification law infected with racial bias.
Oregon courthouse security video shows escaping defendant
March 10, 2023 GMTHILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) — Newly released video in Oregon shows a defendant escaping from courthouse seconds after sheriff's deputies remove his shackles.
The defendant Edi Villalobos Jr. was appearing in court in the Portland suburb of Hillsboro on Feb.
German woman risks tougher sentence over Yazidi girl’s death
March 9, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A German appeals court on Thursday ordered a new sentencing hearing for a German convert to Islam who was given 10 years in prison on charges that, as a member of the Islamic State group in Iraq, she allowed a 5-year-old Yazidi girl she and her husband kept as a slave to die of thirst in the sun.
Indonesia jails organizer, security chief in soccer tragedy
March 9, 2023 GMTSURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — A soccer club organizer and its chief of security were jailed by an Indonesian court on Thursday on charges of negligence leading to the deaths of 135 people when police fired tear gas inside a stadium last October, setting off a panicked run for the exits.
Report: Malaysian ex-PM Muhyiddin facing graft charges
March 9, 2023 GMTPUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was grilled Thursday by anti-graft agency officials for a second time in a matter of weeks and reportedly will be charged over alleged corruption connected with awarding of government contracts while he was in office.
Tiger Woods’ girlfriend seeks to nullify NDA with pro golfer
March 9, 2023 GMTSTUART, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods' girlfriend wants to nullify a nondisclosure agreement following a six-year relationship with the professional golfer.
Attorneys for Erica Herman filed a complaint seeking declaratory judgment on Monday in Martin County, Florida, circuit court, according to online court records.
Nigeria postpones election for new state governors
March 8, 2023 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s election commission has postponed the West African nation’s March 11 gubernatorial election, an official announced late Wednesday, citing logistics challenges.
The election for new governors for 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states will now be held on March 18.
Pennsylvania school allies criticize Shapiro’s budget plan
March 8, 2023 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Lawyers for the districts that won a landmark school funding court case in Pennsylvania say that Gov.
In fraud case, embattled Ozy Media is a no show
March 8, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Ozy Media billed itself as “the New and the Next” as its charismatic cofounder, former MSNBC and CNN host Carlos Watson, attracted millions of dollars from investors on a promise to attract young, sophisticated audiences.
Executive gets 15 months in prison in doomed nuclear project
March 8, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A former executive utility who gave rosy projections on the progress of two nuclear power plants in South Carolina while they were hopelessly behind will spend 15 months in prison for the doomed project that cost ratepayers billions of dollars.
Georgia chief justice says lawyer shortage slows down courts
March 8, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's courts are working hard to dig out from under a backlog of cases created and exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, but a shortage of lawyers is hindering some of those efforts, the state's top judge said Wednesday.
Thai man gets 2-year term for calendar said to mock king
March 8, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — A Thai man was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday for selling calendars featuring satirical cartoons of yellow ducks that a court said mocked the country’s monarch, a legal aid group said.
Appeals court restores promoter’s lawsuit against FIFA
March 8, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A promoter’s lawsuit against FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation can proceed toward trial after a lower-court judge had thrown it out, a federal appeals court decided Tuesday.
Deadline Tuesday to run in Pennsylvania elections
March 7, 2023 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — It’s clear those vying for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court or a term as Philadelphia’s mayor will face contested races in the primaries as the last day for candidates to file concluded Tuesday.
Court orders tortured man be retried for Chicago killings
March 7, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois appeals court ordered new trials for a man convicted of killing two children in Chicago three decades ago because his claims of being tortured into confessing were credible.
Virginia lawmaker Matt Fariss charged in alleged hit-and-run
March 7, 2023 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia state lawmaker charged in what authorities are calling a hit-and-run swerved his SUV toward a woman after they argued, striking her and leaving her with minor injuries, according to police and allegations outlined in court documents.
Women sue Texas over abortion ban, say it risked their lives
March 7, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Five women who said they were denied abortions even when pregnancy endangered their lives are suing Texas over its abortion ban, the latest legal fight against state restrictions since the U.S.
Several Missouri boarding school students settle lawsuits
March 7, 2023 GMTKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Sixteen former students at a now closed Christian boarding school in southwest Missouri have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the school.
The settlement amounts for the lawsuits against the former Agape Baptist Church were not disclosed, The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday.
Libel lawsuit over ‘media men’ list settled out of court
March 7, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — An author-editor's libel lawsuit over allegations that he had committed sexual assault, widely cited as a prime example of backlash against the #MeToo movement, has been settled out of court.
Court considers if parents of school shooter can be charged
March 7, 2023 GMTDETROIT (AP) — Prosecutors on Tuesday defended charges against the parents of a teenager who killed four students at a Michigan school in 2021, telling an appeals court that extreme drawings and the boy's fascination with guns should have been a wake-up call on the day of the shootings.
Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan no-show in court, avoids arrest
March 7, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan failed to appear before a court in Islamabad on Tuesday to answer charges in a graft case against him. The no-show was apparently a legal maneuver by the ex-premier to avoid arrest.
Man accused of trying to open jet’s door, attacking crew
March 7, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts man tried to open an airliner's emergency door on a cross-country flight from Los Angeles to Boston and then tried to stab a flight attendant in the neck with a broken metal spoon, federal prosecutors alleged Monday.
Belarus sentences exiled opposition leader to 15 years
March 7, 2023 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A court in Belarus on Monday sentenced exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to 15 years in prison after a trial in absentia on charges including conspiring to overthrow the government, the latest move in a months-long effort by the Belarusian government to suppress dissent.
Arkansas Tyson workers sue over lack of COVID protections
March 6, 2023 GMTThirty-four Tyson Foods employees, former employees and family members filed a lawsuit against the company Monday, saying it failed to take appropriate precautions at its meat-packing plants during the early days of the COVID pandemic.
Finchem sanctioned over ‘baseless’ Arizona election suit
March 6, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona judge has sanctioned former Republican secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem and his attorney over a lawsuit challenging his loss in last year's election, saying the suit "was groundless and not brought in good faith."
Ex-Arizona lawmaker sanctioned over election fraud lawsuit
March 6, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — A judge on Monday sanctioned former Arizona Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem over what the court called “groundless” claims about election fraud in the 2022 mid-tern election.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates to meet in debate
March 6, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Janet Protasiewicz and Dan Kelly have agreed to meet in at least one debate ahead of the April 4 election.
Arizona rancher arraigned in Mexican man’s shooting death
March 6, 2023 GMTNOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona rancher accused of killing a Mexican man on his land near the U.S.-Mexico border pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges.
George Alan Kelly was present during his arraignment in Santa Cruz Superior Court in Nogales on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Court docs link police and educational program shootings
March 6, 2023 GMTTwo gang members charged in a deadly shooting at an educational program for at-risk youth in Des Moines appeared to be seeking retaliation after a rival gang member rapped dismissively about a fatal police shooting, new court documents suggest.
Ex-Raider Ruggs’ felony DUI case stalled by fight over judge
March 6, 2023 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge will again be asked to decide which justice of the peace should handle a preliminary hearing in the case against former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who is accused of killing a woman in drunken car crash in 2021.
Street near Miami named for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
March 6, 2023 GMTCUTLER BAY, Fla. (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson came home to South Florida on Monday to celebrate the renaming of a street in her honor in the community where she grew up.
Georgia House votes to prosecute 17 year olds as juveniles
March 6, 2023 GMTLawmakers in the Georgia House voted Monday to raise the age limit to 17 for prosecuting young defendants in juvenile court.
House Bill 462 was approved on a vote of 145-22, sending it to the state Senate for further debate.
Sudan court acquits activists accused of killing intel agent
March 6, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — A Sudanese court Monday acquitted eight activists accused of killing a military intelligence agent at a protest rally last year in the capital, defense lawyers said.
The court in Khartoum ordered the activists' release, according to the Lawyers’ Democratic Front, an umbrella of attorneys defending pro-democracy protesters.
Arguments on deal that put Black justice on Louisiana court
March 6, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 1992 federal court agreement that led to a Black justice being elected to Louisiana's once all-white Supreme Court is no longer needed and should be dissolved, an assistant to the state's attorney general told a federal appeals court Monday.
Israeli lawmakers advance bill on $270,000 gift to Netanyahu
March 6, 2023 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli lawmakers advanced a bill on Monday that could allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep a $270,000 donation he received from a relative to pay for his legal fees as he battles corruption charges.
Pakistan bans media broadcasts of ex-PM Imran Khan speeches
March 6, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's media regulator banned broadcasts of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's speeches as police arrived at one of his homes to deliver another court summons for the ousted premier, officials said Monday.