Missouri

8th Circuit rules against grand juror who wanted to talk about Michael Brown case

A federal appeals court has ruled against a grand juror who wanted to correct the record after a prosecutor discussed evidence in the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old Black man, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Aug 19, 2020 2:36 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Actor Jussie Smollett’s prosecutors are reviewed; enhanced protection is recommended for judges

No crimes by prosecutors found in Jussie Smollett case Special prosecutor Dan Webb has found “substantial abuses of discretion” but no criminal wrongdoing by prosecutors who dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was on the TV show Empire. He was accused of orchestrating a hate crime attack on himself.…

Aug 17, 2020 4:51 PM CDT

Fans of baseball will be missed this upcoming season—but not their legal headaches

The national pastime, played in empty stadiums, at long last gets underway on Thursday. The cheer of the crowd will be sorely missed. But the absence of fans will also spare Major League Baseball teams from legal headaches that can arise when the seats are filled.

Jul 22, 2020 1:47 PM CDT

After lawyers charged for waving guns at protesters, Missouri attorney general plans to intervene

Husband and wife lawyers Mark and Patricia McCloskey were each charged with unlawful use of a weapon Monday for waving guns at protesters outside their St. Louis home last month. The Missouri governor and attorney general opposed the charges.

Jul 21, 2020 11:48 AM CDT

Are lawyers who pointed guns at protesters protected by the castle doctrine?

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner said Monday she is investigating after husband and wife lawyers brandished a handgun and a rifle at protesters passing their home on a private street.

Jun 30, 2020 10:05 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Another law firm cuts pay; officer fired in shooting death of Breonna Taylor

Another law firm cuts pay for lawyers and staffers Holland & Hart is reducing profit distributions to equity partners and cutting pay for salaried lawyers by 15%. Staff members who make $100,000 or more will see a pay cut of 7.5%, while those making more than $60,000 and less than…

Jun 24, 2020 4:48 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: ‘Highly irregular conduct’ by DOJ alleged; satanist loses abortion case

DOJ engaged in ‘highly irregular conduct,’ says amicus appointee in Michael Flynn case The U.S. Department of Justice “engaged in highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the president” when it sought to drop the case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, according to an amicus lawyer…

Jun 10, 2020 4:01 PM CDT

Missouri execution is first since coronavirus pandemic declared; ABA had urged delay

A Missouri inmate who was executed Tuesday evening had continued to maintain his innocence up until his final breaths. Walter Barton, 64, was executed by lethal injection after the U.S. Supreme Court denied a stay application.

May 20, 2020 9:48 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Missouri sues China over COVID-19; lawyer accused of threatening cameraman

Missouri is first state to sue China over COVID-19 The state of Missouri has filed a lawsuit against China that contends that its government covered up knowledge of COVID-19 and hoarded personal protective equipment. Missouri is the first state to sue China. The suit alleges breach of duty, public nuisance…

Apr 22, 2020 4:18 PM CDT

Judge allows suit alleging another judge ordered drug testing of courtroom observers

Judicial immunity does not completely protect a Missouri judge in a lawsuit accusing him of jailing and drug testing three courtroom observers, a federal judge has ruled.

Apr 13, 2020 5:05 PM CDT

Cops charge people for coughing on grocery store shelves, police officers during pandemic

People accused of intentionally coughing on grocery store shelves and police officers are facing criminal charges, as is one man accused of licking grocery containers.

Apr 9, 2020 9:34 AM CDT

Federal judge refuses to OK consent decree limiting caseloads for Missouri public defenders

A federal judge in Missouri has refused to approve a consent decree that would have limited state public defenders to no more than 173.3 hours worth of cases each month, a standard that is based on a 40-hour workweek.

Jan 30, 2020 2:30 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Judge and civil rights lawyer dies at 93; lawyer reminds court of Super Bowl continuance promise

Nathaniel Jones, civil rights lawyer and appeals judge, dies at 93 Former civil rights lawyer and federal appeals judge Nathaniel Jones died Sunday at age 93. Jones was on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati and was former general counsel for the NAACP. (The Cincinnati Enquirer, Blank…

Jan 27, 2020 4:20 PM CST

BigLaw firm sues Missouri for alleged failure to pay full incentives for jobs it created

Littler Mendelson has filed a lawsuit claiming the state of Missouri failed to pay promised incentives for the jobs the law firm created when it located its new global services center in Kansas City in 2015.

Jan 17, 2020 9:46 AM CST

Top St. Louis prosecutor files suit alleging racially motivated conspiracy to obstruct her equal-justice efforts

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging the city and the police union are engaged in a racially motivated conspiracy to deny civil rights by obstructing her efforts to ensure equal justice under the law.

Jan 14, 2020 3:03 PM CST