Courthouse News

Karmelo Anthony's defense team argued for a new trial after the stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a Dallas track meet, claiming significant character evidence was excluded due to a broken 'gentleman’s agreement.' The prosecution countered that the defense also benefited from the deal and pointing to damaging exculpatory evidence left out of the trial. Anthony had been sentenced to 35 years in prison for murdering Metcalf in June.

A Ninth Circuit panel sided with the federal government on a ghost gun issue, ruling that California and the Giffords Law Center lacked standing to challenge an ATF rule. The court addressed whether unfinished firearm components fall under Gun Control Act regulations, concluding that the plaintiffs failed to prove an injury from Example 4.

A class action challenging restrictions on student athletes' ability to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) was dismissed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. The ruling found that the plaintiffs failed to establish a plausible market for an antitrust claim, and further determined that purported losses were caused by independent lawful constraints or statutes rather than the NIL licensing rule itself.

NaphCare, the healthcare provider for the San Diego County Jail, is facing breach of contract claims related to the brutal murder and torture of Brandon Yates in January 2024. A federal judge denied NaphCare's attempt to dismiss these claims, noting that the company’s duty to defend remains despite other alleged causes contributing to Yates’ death. The incident involved another inmate, Alvin Ruis, who attacked and smothered Yates while he was incarcerated at San Diego Central Jail.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis is facing a murder charge connected to Tupac Shakur's 1996 shooting death. During an audio recording, Davis described passing the pistol used in the killing to another man moments before the shooting occurred. Furthermore, Davis claimed Sean “Puffy” Combs had offered $1 million to kill Shakur.

Europe faces a grim climate reality defined by increasing 'megafires' across the continent. A risk assessment from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research warns that wildfire activity could increase by 39% if global temperatures warm by 1.8 degrees Celsius. In response, the EU and various countries are stepping up investments in firefighting equipment and deepening cross-border coordination.

A former LAPD detective testified that Duane Davis told investigators in 2008 he was involved in Tupac Shakur's killing. Dupree also recounted a 'proffer session' about Christopher Wallace’s shooting, where Davis denied involvement but referenced being responsible for 'the other one,' which Dupree identified as Tupac. The article details the background involving gang feuds and multiple high-profile murders.

The Trump administration announced a three-day pause on implementing a 50% tariff policy on many Canadian goods, following weeks of negotiations with Canada. The reprieve was declared amid discussions about an impending deal between the two nations. These tariffs would affect a variety of products, including whisky and electronics, that were previously protected by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

A former legislative aide sued a Colorado state representative, claiming she faced retaliation after resigning due to unbearable continued misconduct. The plaintiff, Jennifer Chick, alleges that while working for Sheila Lieder, she encountered hurdles with disability insurance and witnessed potential violations of rules regarding campaigning activities. Chick also accuses the House Democrats' pay scheme of making staff vulnerable to abuse.

A judge dismissed a yearslong case in Nevada against six Republicans accused of submitting a bogus certificate falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the 2020 presidential election. This ruling marks the latest setback for efforts to prosecute fake electors, following similar dismissals in Arizona, Michigan and Georgia. The Nevada Attorney General plans to appeal this dismissal.

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A California Courts of Appeals panel ordered further environmental review for a proposed geothermal plant and lithium mine in Imperial County after finding that the county failed to sufficiently address environmental concerns. The lawsuit was filed by Comité Civico del Valle, which argued that the county's approval process violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), particularly regarding water availability and consultation with Native American tribes.

A federal judge ruled that Luke Brugnara must remain detained without bail pending trial due to a history of evading court appearances and failing to appear at a bond revocation hearing. Brugnara was facing charges related to a 2021 fraud scheme where he submitted fraudulent loan applications for $400,000 through his company, Brugnara Corporation. This follows an arrest in January 2024 after he was found possessing a firearm and threatening people near Thornton State Beach.

David Beck filed an excessive force lawsuit against San Diego County and deputies after he was thrown to the ground while experiencing a diabetic episode on Nov. 25, 2024. Judge Thomas Whelan found that Deputy Thompson’s decision to throw Beck and handcuff him was unreasonable. Although Whelan dismissed some of Beck's claims, he denied the county's motion to dismiss allegations involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

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The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a plaintiff’s negligence cannot reduce damages awarded for an intentional tort. This decision restored $2.76 million to Ramona Ricapor-Hall's jury award against Philip Morris. The ruling established that fraud defendants are barred from using a victim's carelessness as a shield in legal actions.

A former Customs & Border Protection officer, Jesse Garcia, was sentenced to nine years in federal court for allowing drug smugglers from the Sinaloa Cartel through the U.S.-Mexico border. Garcia admitted that he provided duty schedules and lane assignments connected to the cartel between 2021 and 2024. He received payment for each drug-laden vehicle allowed into the country.

The Iowa Office of the Governor appeared before an Iowa state judge to argue that executive privilege can block the release of four staff emails concerning media coverage preparation. While the governor's office asserted a right to candid advice, the Des Moines Register challenged this claim, arguing the emails pertained only to political strategies rather than core state policy.

A New Mexico state judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund for youth mental health treatment and prevention, finding the tech giant contributed to psychological harm and sexual exploitation of children. This order brings Meta’s total New Mexico bill north of $940 million, adding to an earlier jury verdict that found 75,000 violations under a consumer protection law.

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