Case

Minot Man Convicted of Exploiting Vulnerable Elderly Residents in Disturbing Care Facility Case

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MINOT, N.D. — A Ward County jury has found Dalton Hattem guilty of sexually abusive actions against elderly residents in a Minot long-term care facility. The verdict was reached quickly, with jurors deliberating for only 16 minutes before concluding that Hattem exploited individuals who were vulnerable due to age, illness, or cognitive limitations. Prosecutors presented evidence, including explicit communications and videos between Hattem and his wife, Amber, which outlined a disturbing pattern of exploitation. The jury’s decision, which includes two counts of conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition, carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 … Read more

Federal Court Upholds $83.3 Million Defamation Ruling Against Trump in E. Jean Carroll Case

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NEW YORK — A federal appeals court has upheld an $83.3 million jury verdict against former President Donald Trump for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The court ruled on Monday that Trump’s actions regarding Carroll’s accusations of a decades-old rape in a Manhattan department store constituted defamation. This ruling comes after a jury also found Trump liable for sexual abuse related to the same incident. In its unanimous decision, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed Trump’s assertion that a Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity should shield … Read more

Minot Man Convicted of Conspiring to Exploit Vulnerable Care Facility Residents in Disturbing Case

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MINOT, N.D. — A Minot man has been convicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition following a brief jury deliberation that lasted only 16 minutes at the Ward County Courthouse last week. The charges stemmed from allegations that he and his wife exploited vulnerable residents of a local long-term care facility. Dalton Hattem, 34, was charged earlier this year in March after an investigation revealed that he coordinated with his 33-year-old wife, Amber Hattem, to take advantage of residents who were unable to defend themselves due to age, illness, or cognitive … Read more

Federal Appeals Court Confirms $83.3 Million Verdict Against Trump in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case

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NEW YORK — A federal appeals court affirmed a previous jury ruling on Monday, upholding an award of $83.3 million against former President Donald Trump. This decision stems from a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s. The appeal was filed after a jury concluded that Trump’s comments, made in response to Carroll’s allegations, were defamatory and damaging to her reputation. The legal battle arose when Carroll came forward in 2019, detailing her accusations and subsequently filing a lawsuit against Trump for his public statements … Read more