Upheld

Indiana Appeals Court Rulings: Key Defamation Case Reversed, Commitment Upheld, and Mass Tort Dismissed

by

Indiana’s Court of Appeals recently issued several noteworthy rulings, impacting numerous cases that address issues ranging from defamation to jurisdictional challenges. These decisions come after rigorous evaluations by the court, shedding light on both civil and criminal matters in the state. In the case of Judy Lammons and EDCO Environmental Services, the appeals court overturned a previous ruling by Lake Superior Court Judge Bruce Parent. The court determined that Lammons’ statements on the matter—a defamation suit brought by the company—reflected her genuine opinion rather than asserting any provably false facts. This finding indicated that the … Read more

Hawaii’s Gun Purchase Age Restriction Upheld by Federal Court Amid Second Amendment Challenge

by

Honolulu, Hawaii — A federal judge on Friday ruled in favor of maintaining Hawaii’s statute that prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms, amidst challenges that the law infringes on Second Amendment rights. The decision follows a lawsuit spearheaded by a national pro-gun organization which argued that the age restriction was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Jill Otake, in her ruling, expressed that the challengers did not convincingly demonstrate the likelihood of success on their constitutional claims or the public benefit of overturning the law. The case, represented by Deputy Solicitors General Ewan … Read more

Former Fairfax Officer’s Conviction Upheld in Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Shoplifter Over Sunglasses Theft

by

FAIRFAX, Va. — A Fairfax County court recently upheld the conviction of ex-police officer Wesley Shifflett for reckless handling of a firearm during an incident that left an unarmed man dead over a theft allegation. The former officer was found guilty in October for his role in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Timothy Johnson, who was suspected of shoplifting sunglasses from a local Nordstrom at Tysons Corner Center in February 2023. During the trial, evidence revealed that Shifflett pursued Johnson into a dimly lit wooded area near the shopping mall before discharging his weapon, fatally … Read more

Local Factory Farm Regulations Upheld as Court Rejects Lawsuit

by

In a recent ruling, a judge has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged local ordinances regulating factory farms, spotlighting ongoing disputes over agricultural practices and local governance. The case, centered on newly established regulations by local authorities aimed at curbing environmental and health impacts of large-scale farming operations, has been closely watched by both industry insiders and environmental groups. The ordinances in question were created by local lawmakers seeking to mitigate the effects of factory farming, including pollution and odor, which have raised concerns among residents and environmental advocates. Proponents of the regulations argue that strict … Read more