publiclawlibrary.org

Oklahoma Jury Awards $15 Million to Woman in Landmark Peeping Tom Case

by

Tulsa, Oklahoma — In a landmark decision, a Tulsa jury awarded Kathryn Wainscott $15 million in damages after she filed a lawsuit against Daniel Toy, a man who secretly recorded her in his bathroom. This ruling is drawing attention to gaps in legislation concerning privacy violations and digital misconduct. Wainscott, unsuspecting at the time, was recorded during a 2021 visit to Toy’s home. Toy, who had been the best man at her wedding, betrayed her trust by setting up hidden cameras in his guest bathroom. The disturbing discovery was made after Toy was arrested for … Read more

Oklahoma Auditor Proposes Legislative Changes After Exposing Financial Mismanagement at Tulsa Public Schools

by

Tulsa, Oklahoma – In the wake of a revealing audit on Tulsa Public Schools (TPS), Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd has proposed significant changes to state laws aimed at curbing financial mismanagement. The audit, covering the years 2015-2023, brought to light various questionable practices involving school administrators and local vendors that could potentially run afoul of criminal laws. The investigation highlighted instances where administrators benefited from vendor contracts and identified a concerning pattern of transactions just below the $50,000 mark, thereby sidestepping the district’s formal bidding process. One striking example noted in the … Read more

$7.25 Million Verdict Shines Light on Amusement Park Safety Concerns After Moving Walkway Incident

by

Los Angeles — In a notable legal decision, a federal jury recently awarded $7.25 million to a 74-year-old woman from Arizona after she sustained severe injuries at Universal Studios Hollywood. The verdict casts a spotlight on the safety concerns surrounding moving walkways in amusement parks, which are often integrated with attractions for the convenience of guests. The incident occurred in September when Pamela Morrison was asked to disembark from the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride due to a malfunctioning safety harness. Morrison lost her balance while exiting the moving walkway, leading to a … Read more

Maui Man Freed After 30 Years as New DNA Clears Him, Court Denies Bail Request in Retrial Deliberation

by

HONOLULU — A Maui man, who spent three decades behind bars, returned to court this Friday after being released last week due to new DNA evidence which cast significant doubt on his murder conviction from the 1990s. This legal pivot has refueled discussions around the use of DNA technology in revisiting old criminal cases. Gordon Cordeiro, now 50, was arrested in 1994 on charges of murdering 20-year-old Timmy Blaisdell in an area of Kula known as “Skid Row.” Convicted largely based on the evidence presented at the time, Cordeiro has always maintained his innocence. After … Read more