Judge

“Trial Turmoil: Judge Takes Charge in Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Case After Juror Complaints and Outside Interference”

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LONDON, Ontario — A closely watched sexual assault trial involving five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team has shifted to a judge-only format following serious allegations against defense attorneys that prompted the dismissal of a jury. The decision, made by Justice Maria Carroccia, follows a turbulent few weeks in a case that has attracted significant public attention and been marred by incidents both inside and outside the courtroom. The players — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote — are accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman in … Read more

Federal Judge Upholds Iowa’s Gender Identity Restrictions for Young Students, Allows Non-Mandatory Programs and Clubs

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DES MOINES, Iowa — A federal judge has ruled that Iowa may continue its restrictions on teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation for students in kindergarten through the sixth grade, while also mandating that schools allow nonmandatory programs on these subjects. This ruling comes from U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher, who delivered a mixed verdict late Thursday in a case brought by LGBTQ advocacy groups, teachers, and students. In a previous ruling from March, Judge Locher had temporarily blocked another controversial element of the law, which sought to ban school libraries from offering books … Read more

Judge Halts Sentencing as Defendant Challenges Past Convictions in Stunning Courtroom Twist

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Fayetteville, Arkansas — A sentencing hearing for a defendant took an unexpected turn when the proceedings were abruptly halted after he asserted that he had not committed any previous crimes. The interruption occurred amid discussions about the defendant’s prior criminal history, which formed an important part of the sentencing considerations. The defendant, whose identity has not been disclosed, was facing sentencing related to new charges. As he contended his innocence with respect to past offenses, the presiding judge decided to end the session prematurely. The courtroom atmosphere shifted as tensions rose, with spectators and legal … Read more

Federal Judge Again Dismisses Ex-Sheriff Villanueva’s $25 Million Lawsuit Against L.A. County, Citing Insufficient Evidence

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Los Angeles, California — A federal judge has dismissed a $25 million lawsuit filed by former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva for a second time. In this legal action, Villanueva alleges that county officials defamed him and infringed on his rights, leading to significant professional repercussions. In his lawsuit, Villanueva contends that his personnel file was marked as “do not rehire,” which he claims has hindered his job prospects. The designation followed a determination by a county panel that he had engaged in harassment against two officials. He described the Internal Affairs Bureau’s investigation … Read more