State

Honolulu Jury Awards Over $2 Million to Family of Homeless Man Killed by Deputy Sheriff at State Capitol

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Honolulu, Hawaii – A jury in Honolulu awarded over $2 million to the family of a homeless man fatally shot by a deputy sheriff at the state Capitol, a court determined on Friday. The verdict, which concluded deliberations that began on Wednesday, marks a significant moment in the legal ordeal stemming from the 2019 incident. Delmar Espejo, 28, lost his life during a physical altercation with former deputy sheriff Gregory Bergman, which allegedly occurred after Espejo was confronted for possessing alcohol on Capitol premises. The altercation led to Bergman shooting Espejo in the back, igniting … Read more

Surplus Equity and State Laws: Supreme Court Decides in Favor of Property Owners in Groundbreaking Tyler v. Hennepin County Ruling

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Washington, D.C. – In a landmark decision that could reshape property rights, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a ruling in 2023 that clarifies what constitutes “private property” under the Constitution in cases of government action. The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, addressed whether a taxpayer retains a property interest in excess funds after a government tax sale has recovered the owed taxes. The court’s unanimous decision, penned by Chief Justice Roberts, held that if a government entity sells seized property to settle tax debts, any surplus funds generated beyond the tax debt must be … Read more

Vermont’s Billboard Battle: Does the Route 7 Hay Wagon Sign Break State Law?

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New Haven, VT – A painted hay wagon situated along Route 7 has drawn the attention of state regulators due to potential violations of Vermont’s billboard law. This statute, stringent in nature, prohibits any signage that isn’t directly related to the site where it’s situated, barring exceptions for specific on-premise signs. The hay wagon in question, belonging to Peter Briggs of New Haven, is painted with advertisements promoting his agricultural business, a joining garden center, and unrelated business ventures. This includes a display for a business located in Bristol, about 10 miles from where the … Read more

Judge Rules Out State Prosecutor in Concord Casino Fraud Case Over Violation of Legal Privileges

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Concord, N.H. – A Merrimack County Superior Court judge recently made a pivotal decision by barring a state prosecutor and a financial expert from continuing on a high-profile fraud case against Andy Sanborn, owner of Concord Casino. The ruling followed allegations of mishandling sensitive legal communications during the investigation. Judge John Kissinger highlighted that the Attorney General’s office exhibited “gross negligence” by not adequately safeguarding private legal communications between Sanborn and his attorneys. This failure compromised protections typically afforded under the attorney-client privilege, essential in ensuring fairness in legal proceedings. At the heart of the … Read more