Nebraska

Dad Who Abandoned 9 Kids Under New Neb. Law Explains Why

A man who abandoned his nine children at a hospital this week, as permitted under an unusual new Nebraska law, says he “fell apart” after his wife died and sought to give them a better life. “I was with her for 17 years, and then she was gone. What was…

Sep 26, 2008 10:09 PM CDT

11 Kids, 1 to 17, Abandoned in 1 Day Under New Nebraska Law

In recent years, many states have adopted new laws allowing parents to abandon infants in safe places such as hospitals and fire stations. The idea was to protect babies and offer overwhelmed parents a legal way out, instead of prosecuting them for felony child abandonment as traditionally has been done.…

Sep 25, 2008 10:39 PM CDT

Deaf Woman Says McDonald’s Denied Her Drive-Thru Service

A hearing-impaired Nebraska woman who can’t hear what is being said through a speaker has filed a discrimination suit against a McDonald’s in Lincoln, contending that the fast-food restaurant wouldn’t let her order at the drive-thru food delivery window. At least three times within the past year, Karen Tumeh of…

Jul 17, 2008 6:21 PM CDT

Nebraska AG to Seek Cert on Constitutionality of Electrocution

Nebraska’s attorney general says he will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate electrocutions in the state. Attorney General Jon Bruning said yesterday he will seek cert because Nebraskans support the death penalty, the Associated Press reports. “We’ll do everything possible to ensure the sentences of the state’s worst murderers…

Apr 10, 2008 12:50 PM CDT

Neb.‘s Top Court Bans Electric Chair, Ending Death Penalty ... For Now

In a 6-1 decision today, the Nebraska Supreme Court held that the use of the electric chair is unconstitutional under state law, effectively imposing a death penalty moratorium since this is the only execution method used there. The court ruled that the electric chair is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited…

Feb 8, 2008 10:09 PM CST

Federal Judge’s Top 10 Sentencing List Takes Aim at Supreme Court

A federal judge has published a tongue-in-cheek Top 10 list of things he learned from the U.S. Supreme Court’s sentencing decisions that makes clear his frustrations. The list by U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf of Nebraska is “a provocative jaw-dropper that may get Kopf scratched off the holiday card list…

Jan 29, 2008 11:45 AM CST

Questions About Mall Security, But No New Answers

As experts and ordinary Americans pondered the shooting massacre of eight people at an Omaha, Neb., shopping mall this week, most seemed to agree that there is little that can be done, at least as a practical matter, to prevent such isolated acts of violence. The crime has not ignited…

Dec 7, 2007 4:34 PM CST

Lawyer Survives Nebraska Mall Shooting

When Jeff Schaffart went with his wife and their 2-year-old daughter to the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Neb., yesterday, he didn’t expect the routine shopping trip to offer a life-risking experience. However, as the 34-year-old lawyer and his wife shopped for a dress for their daughter to wear on a…

Dec 6, 2007 5:42 PM CST

Poof! ‘God’ Answers Suit, Asserts Lack of Jurisdiction

A response to a legislator’s lawsuit from “God” asserts the court lacks jurisdiction to hear a Nebraska legislator’s lawsuit against him. John Friend, clerk of the Douglas County District Court in Omaha, told the Associated Press the response was one of two filed on God’s behalf. State Sen. Ernie Chambers…

Sep 21, 2007 10:48 AM CDT

Lawmaker Sues God

A Nebraska state senator has sued God in an effort to make a point about frivolous lawsuits. The suit by State Sen. Ernie Chambers says God has called “fearsome floods … horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes” and requests a permanent injunction, the Associated Press reports. Chambers says his suit makes the…

Sep 18, 2007 2:14 PM CDT

Rape Victim Sues Judge Over R-Word Ban

An alleged acquaintance-rape victim has sued the Nebraska judge who banned her from using the word “rape” in testimony, in what her lawyer describes as a troubling trend. A federal lawsuit filed in Lincoln contends Lancaster County District Judge Jeffre Cheuvront violated Tory Bowen’s rights of due process and free…

Sep 10, 2007 4:39 PM CDT

Judge Decries Interpreter Shortage

A New York state judge is trying to shine a light on what he calls a “disturbing lack” of courtroom sign-language interpreters for the deaf. Judge Charles Markey of Queens said employment opportunities are exploding for sign language interpreters, and courts paying $250 a day are not matching rates in…

Aug 10, 2007 3:35 PM CDT

‘Too Short’ for Jail Ruling to Be Appealed

There were valid reasons, an appeals court says, for a Nebraska judge’s perhaps-unprecedented decision to sentence a 52-year-old man who is slightly over five feet tall to probation in a child sexual assault case. So the controversial 10-year probation term she gave Richard W. Thompson, saying that he deserves prison…

Jul 19, 2007 12:57 AM CDT

Mistrial in Rape Trial With R-Word Ban

Updated: Ruling from the bench, a Nebraska judge today declared a mistrial in a controversial acquaintance-rape case in which the accuser was barred from using the word “rape,” among other specific language, when testifying. Defense lawyers said they believe Lancaster County District Judge Jeffre Cheuvront declared the mistrial just before…

Jul 12, 2007 11:26 PM CDT

Legislative Focus: Puppy Mills, Pet Shops

New legislation in Nebraska that strengthens regulation of kennel operations is reportedly part of a national focus on eliminating so-called puppy mills that breed dogs under questionable conditions and pet shops that sell them. “Most breeders learn how to keep their standards just above violating cruelty statutes, but the conditions…

Jun 4, 2007 6:06 PM CDT