Affirms

Oklahoma Judge Affirms Ongoing Poultry Pollution Crisis in Illinois River Watershed Amidst 20-Year Legal Battle

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Oklahoma City, Okla. — A federal district judge announced Tuesday that the State of Oklahoma has offered sufficient evidence to demonstrate that poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed (IRW) has not significantly changed since the onset of a lengthy legal battle. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell highlighted that phosphorus from poultry waste continues to pose serious threats to the waters of the IRW and Lake Tenkiller. Although a final decision in this ongoing lawsuit has not yet been issued, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed optimism about reaching an agreement … Read more

Ninth Circuit Affirms Jury Ruling in Police Restraint Case, Upholding Accountability Despite Lack of Excessive Force Claims

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Los Angeles, California — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently upheld a jury’s decision in a case involving the death of a man during a police restraint incident, ruling that negligence could be established even in the absence of excessive force claims. The case revolved around the events of a 2016 arrest when officers used physical means to subdue the individual, who subsequently died. Evidence presented during the trial suggested that the officers had acted within the standards for use of force but still failed to provide necessary medical assistance, which … Read more

Ninth Circuit Affirms $1.5 Million Negligence Verdict Against Riverside Deputies in Controversial Restraint Case

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A ruling from the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $1.5 million verdict awarded to the family of a man who died after interactions with sheriff’s deputies. The court determined that while there was no violation of the Fourth Amendment, the deputies showed negligence by failing to provide necessary medical assistance after restraining the individual. The case involves the death of Kevin Niedzialek, who became unresponsive following a confrontation with Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies in July 2019. Deputies Brian Keeney and Sonia Gomez responded to reports of Niedzialek, who … Read more

University of Colorado Settles Lawsuit with Renowned Historian, Affirms Ownership of Her Scholarly Works

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BOULDER, Colo. – After a prolonged legal dispute, the University of Colorado has reached a settlement with Patty Limerick, a distinguished historian and longtime faculty member who was dismissed from her position at the Center for the American West last year. The agreement, mediated this week, acknowledged Limerick’s ownership over her extensive body of academic work, culminating her year-long battle for intellectual property rights. Limerick, who has been a significant figure at the Boulder campus since 1984, filed a lawsuit in Boulder County District Court in May. She contended that the university was unjustly restricting … Read more