Courts/Rulings & Lawsuits | | |
Defense attorney removed from murder case in Orange County
In a rare move, an Orange County Superior Court judge Thursday removed a defense attorney from a murder case over the objections of the defendant as the lawyer faces misdemeanor charges and has been unable to come to court due to a head injury. Orange County Superior Court Judge Patrick Donahue substituted in Adam Vining of the Orange County Public Defender’s Office for private defense attorney Jerry Schaffer in the case for Zachary Pickrell, 21.
City News Service
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State Bar sues tech provider for troubled February exam
The California State Bar has sued the technology provider involved in the disastrous rollout of the new bar exam. The bar sued ProctorU, dba as Meazure Learning, “the vendor it contracted with to facilitate the remote and in-person administration of the 2025 February Bar Exam,” the bar said in a news release late Monday afternoon. “Applicants reported significant, unacceptable, and pervasive problems with Meazure Learning’s administration of the exam, which severely impacted their experience and ability to take the test.”
Daily Journal
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Supreme Court upholds death verdict for arsonist who set lethal Esperanza Fire
The California Supreme Court yesterday affirmed the convictions and death sentence for a man accused of starting more than two dozen Banning Pass-area wildfires in the summer and fall of 2006, including the deadly Esperanza Fire that claimed the lives of five firefighters.
Metropolitan News-Enterprise
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Ninth Circuit hands users a big win: Californians can sue out-of-state corporations that violate state privacy laws
Simple common sense tells us that a corporation’s decision to operate in every state shouldn’t mean it can’t be sued in most of them. Sadly, U.S. law doesn’t always follow common sense. That’s why we were so pleased with a recent holding from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Setting a crucial precedent, the court held that consumers can sue national or multinational companies in the consumers’ home courts if those companies violate state data privacy laws.
Electronic Frontier Foundattion
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Waiver releasing city from duty to maintain road is invalid
The California Supreme Court yesterday held that a municipality may not enforce a release seeking to absolve it from liability for a breach of its statutory duty to ensure that public roadways are safe for foreseeable uses, saying that a Civil Code section invalidating contracts that purportedly exempt parties from liability over violations of law, in contradiction to public policy, applies.
Metropolitan News-Enterprise
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California fails to convince judge on cancer warning for acrylamide
A permanent injunction issued Friday by a federal judge will prohibit California from requiring Proposition 65 warnings for dietary acrylamide, finding that the debate continues on whether it’s carcinogenic to people. U.S. District Judge Daniel Calabretta ruled in favor of the California Chamber of Commerce, granting its motion for summary judgment. Forcing the chamber and its members to display the warning would be unconstitutional, he wrote.
Courthouse News Service
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Feds insist Second Amendment doesn’t protect machine guns
Machine guns are atypical weapons not protected by the Second Amendment because a reasonable person would not expect them to be used in militia service, the federal government argued Wednesday before an appeals panel. The government defended federal statute 18 U.S.C. 992(o), which criminalizes possession of a machine gun, as it sought to uphold a conviction against Jaquan Bridges, who pleaded guilty to the offense after a 2023 shootout with police on a Tennessee interstate highway.
Courthouse News Service
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Court rules for Coast Guard reservist in “national emergency” pay dispute
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that an air traffic controller who was called up to serve on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard “during a national emergency” is entitled to have the government pay him the difference between his civilian salary and his military pay, without having to show that his service was connected to a specific emergency.
SCOTUSblog
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Proposed Dodger Stadium gondola project faces another setback
The proposed aerial transit project that would connect Dodger Stadium with downtown Los Angeles is facing yet another hurdle after a state appeals court rejected Metro’s approval of the environmental impact report for the project, as first reported by the L.A. Times. Officially known as the Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit Project, the endeavor would link the stadium to Union Station and Chinatown at Los Angeles State Historic Park via a suspended gondola system funded by former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his son, Drew.
KTLA5
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Chief Justice Roberts says judge’s job is checking other branches
Chief Justice John Roberts again rebuked recent calls by President Donald Trump’s allies to impeach judges who rule against the administration. “Impeachment is not how you register disagreement with decisions,” Roberts said Wednesday during an appearance in Buffalo, New York. “That’s what we’re there for,” he said.
Bloomberg Law
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Alleged Inglewood school shooter charged with murder and attempted murder
The Monterey Park man accused of shooting two employees of an Inglewood aviation training school last week has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Jesse Figueroa, 40, was an employee at the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, the place where he allegedly opened fire and shot the school's dean and her receptionist.
KCAL News
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California Attorney General: LA district attorney should stay on Menendez case
The California Attorney General's Office has urged the judge hearing the Erik and Lyle Menendez case to reject a request from the defense attorneys to bar the entire LA County District Attorney's Office from participating in a resentencing proceeding because of an alleged bias against the brothers.
NBC4 Los Angeles
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District Attorney Hochman intensifies efforts against animal cruelty with 25 new cases
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that his office has filed 25 animal cruelty cases - including 18 felonies - over the past six weeks, underscoring his commitment to holding abusers accountable and protecting our most vulnerable. “Let me be clear: If you harm an animal in our community, we are watching you - and we will find you,” District Attorney Hochman said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
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New U.S. attorney in LA moves to strike jury's felony civil rights verdict against cop
The new top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles is allowing a former sheriff’s deputy convicted by a jury of a felony civil rights crime against a Black woman to instead plead guilty to a misdemeanor and return to policing. A plea agreement filed late Thursday says if Trevor Kirk pleads guilty to misdemeanor deprivation of rights under color of law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will “move to strike the jury’s finding” that he injured his victim, which made his crime a felony.
Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff
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Feds to seek death penalty for federal inmate charged with murdering his cellmate
Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday they will seek the death penalty for an inmate accused of strangling his cellmate at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City. U.S. Attorney Robert Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against 27-year-old Jasper Reed. A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City on Tuesday returned a three-count indictment charging Reed with first-degree murder, attempted murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
AP
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Man accused of crashing into gate of Jennifer Aniston’s Bel-Air home charged with Stalking, vandalism
A Mississippi man is facing charges of felony stalking and felony vandalism after allegedly crashing through the gate of Jennifer Aniston ’s Bel-Air home on Monday, May 5. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the charges against 48-year-old Jimmy Wayne Carwyle , from New Albany, Mississippi, on Wednesday, May 7.
Us Weekly
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Man accused of taking a chainsaw to 13 trees in LA appears in court
A dayslong rampage that felled 12 trees and maimed another in Los Angeles began innocently enough, with a trip to Harbor Freight. Groft walked out of the store, straight to a nearby gas station, where he sawed a single limb off a tree. He then left the scene. The tree spree escalated quickly. Another detective testified that Groft appeared the next day in downtown LA and sawed down three juniper trees "in same manner and fashion."
Courthouse News Service
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CHP, LAPD sued over alleged 'violent attack' at UCLA pro-Palestinian encampment
A group of UCLA students and community members is suing the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of unidentified employees from both agencies over law officers' alleged "violent attack" on participants in a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last spring, according to court papers obtained Monday.
City News Service
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California may ban Glocks over 1 small device - gun owners furious
One of America’s most popular handgun brands, Glock, could soon be banned from sale in California under new legislation aimed at curbing gun violence by targeting firearms that users can easily convert into fully automatic weapons. Assembly Bill 1127, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), seeks to prohibit the sale of so-called “machinegun-convertible pistols” - a classification that includes many Glock models due to their compatibility with illegal conversion devices known as “Glock switches.”
San Diego Post
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California Assembly Democrats to reverse course, push for felony to buy 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds for sex
Democratic leaders in the California Assembly announced on Tuesday that they will add a proposed felony for those who purchase or solicit 16 and 17-year-olds for sex back into a bill that aims to crack down on the buyers of the child sex trafficking industry. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Assembly Public Safety Chairman Nick Schultz announced the update in written statements.
KCRA3
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Gallegly retains veteran trial attorney in suit against CLU
Former congressman Elton Gallegly has retained veteran trial attorney Matthew Umhofer as lead counsel in his breach of contract lawsuit against California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. Gallegly’s team made the announcement May 5, saying Umhofer’s appointment “signals a new and aggressive phase in the litigation.”
Pacific Coast Business Times
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An L.A. County firefighter assaulted his neighbor. But his bosses couldn’t fire him
For the Los Angeles County Fire Department, it’s a clear red line: firefighters cannot assault their neighbors. That’s why the department fired Adam Clint, a longtime Santa Clarita fire captain, whose heated off-duty dispute with a man a few doors down landed him with a felony assault conviction. But the Fire Department may soon have to take Clint back.
Los Angeles Times
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LA County's jail population is rising. Prop 36 is partly to blame
Los Angeles County’s overall jail population has increased nearly 4% since late last year, in part because of more arrests related to a voter-approved proposition that allowed police to once again arrest people accused of certain low-level drug and theft crimes. It’s a relatively small increase - roughly 500 incarcerated people - but it could indicate what is to come now that Proposition 36 is California law.
LAist
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Israeli spyware program takes center stage in trial over WhatsApp hacks
Meta presented the bulk of its case to jurors Wednesday in a trial over computer fraud claims it and its subsidiary WhatsApp brought against NSO Group Technologies, a notorious hacker-for-hire firm. Meta’s claims relate to a 2019 security breach in which the cyber-intelligence company remotely installed surveillance software on the phones of over 1,400 WhatsApp users, including activists, journalists and diplomats.
Courthouse News Service
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LA firefighters' union bosses suspended after alleged mishandling of funds
The powerful union that represents LA City Fire Department firefighters was placed in conservatorship Monday by its umbrella association, which announced in an open letter to firefighters that a forensic audit had uncovered a massive misuse of union funds by the union's leaders. The International Association of Fire Fighters said it also voted to suspend UFLAC president Freddy Escobar and two other union leaders.
NBC4 Los Angeles
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Whistleblowers say LA’s top homeless official hired unqualified friends, tried to destroy public records
L.A.’s top homeless services official Va Lecia Adams Kellum engaged in major misconduct, including hiring unqualified friends into powerful positions, trying to destroy public records and behaving inappropriately at a conference, according to two whistleblower claim letters obtained by LAist. The letters were written by an attorney on behalf of two former L.A. Homeless Services Authority employees who alleged they were wrongfully fired for speaking up against wrongdoing by Adams Kellum.
LAist
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L.A.’s newest top cop
The outgoing chief of the San Francisco Police Department - Bill Scott - will lead Metro’s new in-house public safety department, the agency announced Wednesday. In an exclusive interview with LAist, Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said she chose Scott for his ties to L.A. and pursuit of police reform in San Francisco. When he begins in June, Scott will have to build that new department from the ground up.
LAist
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Nate Holden, state senator and longtime councilman who fought for South L.A., dies at 95
Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Nathaniel “Nate” Holden always spoke with a sense of self-assuredness and a firm belief in his own destiny. A towering figure in L.A.'s political arena, Holden died Wednesday at age 95, his family told L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Nate Holden was a legend here in Los Angeles," Hahn said in a statement.
Los Angeles Times
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DUI suspect's license was suspended at time of crash that killed Loyola HS student, report says
The DUI suspect involved in a crash that killed Loyola High School tennis star Braun Levi in Manhattan Beach was driving with a suspended license at the time of the fatal crash, the Los Angeles Time reported. Jenia Resha Belt, 33, was arrested at the scene, according to Manhattan Beach police.
ABC7
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How the Aryan Brotherhood used O.C. punk rockers to grow beyond prison walls
Founded 60 years ago at San Quentin, the Aryan Brotherhood has in recent years sought to evolve beyond a prison gang to take over rackets on the street, where PEN1 has served as its front line, according to testimony and court records reviewed by The Times. Members of PEN1 have been convicted of robbing, extorting and killing for the Aryan Brotherhood, who are seen as the “superheroes” of the white criminal subculture, a longtime PEN1 member testified.
Los Angeles Times
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A ‘well-orchestrated execution’: Mystery surrounds school official’s killing at L.A. Live
It was the height of the dinner rush at L.A. Live, a glittering, neon-drenched complex of restaurants and bars steps from Crypto.com Arena. Around 6 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2023, a white Ford Escape pulled out of rush hour traffic on Figueroa Street, stopping along the curb outside Fixins Soul Kitchen.
Los Angeles Times
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Records justifying CA insurance commissioner's taxpayer-funded travel missing despite requests
7 On Your Side has new details on its investigation into California's top insurance boss. It involves Commissioner Ricardo Lara's taxpayer funded travel around the world - including many trips that caused him to miss a slew of key insurance hearings since 2019. Now, as a state audit is on the line, questions are being raised about a significant chunk of his records that remain missing.
ABC7
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California and Utah are finally cracking down on their rich residents who register supercars in Montana to avoid paying taxes
The U.S. Treasury estimates that the richest 1% of U.S. citizens underpay their taxes by $163 billion every year, and though the Montana car registration loophole might not equate to as much in skipped taxes, it's yet another way that the rampant income inequality in our country is intensified. All that wealthy car owners have to do is spend around $1,000 to open an LLC in Montana, then use the LLC to purchase a car with no sales tax - and said car is not subject to vehicle inspections or emissions testing.
Jalopnik
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California sues feds over approval of tribal casino project
California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state of California sued the federal government Friday over its decision to greenlight a massive tribal casino project in Sonoma County wine country, claiming federal officials flouted the law and undermined state sovereignty. The planned development would include 2,750 slot machines, 105 table games, a 400-room hotel and facilities capable of hosting more than 10,000 people.
Courthouse News Service
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‘Resilience’: Union-created first responders film works to gather support
“Resilience: The Untold Stories of LA County First Responders” is a 34-minute documentary released on April 23, created to highlight more aspects of the firefight than were previously gathered for public consumption. The documentary can be watched on YouTube at bit.ly/ResilienceFire.
Pasadena Weekly
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Poll finds more Californians believe Newsom is focusing more on becoming president than being governor
According to a new UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) poll released on Wednesday, with well over a majority of voters saying that Governor Gavin Newsom is doing more things that will benefit him as a presidential candidate rather than governing the state and helping solve problems there. Specifically, 54% of all registered voters in California believe that Newsom is “Doing things that will benefit him a possible candidate for president”.
California Globe
| | Convictions/Pleas/Sentences | | |
Stolen catalytic converters from California were resold for $600 million. Now one family faces prison
Tou Sue Vang ran a profitable family business in Sacramento with his brother, Andrew, and his mother, Monica Moua. But the lucrative family enterprise was illegal and involved buying stolen catalytic converters in a scheme that made more than $38 million for the family, according to authorities. On Tuesday, Tou Sue Vang, 33, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the theft ring, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of California.
Los Angeles Times
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Santa Clarita man gets plea deal after conviction
A U.S. Attorney’s Office review led to a post-trial plea agreement announced Friday for a Santa Clarita man convicted by a federal jury earlier this year of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to court records available online. The plea agreement filed Friday gives the maximum sentencing range for Deputy Trevor James Kirk as 12 to 18 months in prison, while the USAO stated it thinks one year of probation is fair.
The Signal
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Chinese Angeleno pleads guilty to ID theft scheme
The last of six Chinese nationals living in Los Angeles who pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme that involved the theft of hundreds of identities to defraud retailers out of at least $1.2 million is set to be sentenced Monday. Hyun Woo “Scott” Jung, 30, of Ontario pleaded guilty in February to federal counts of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and possession with intent to unlawfully use five or more false identification documents.
mynewsLA.com
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Wife’s co-conspirator sentenced in husband’s murder
Christopher Austin - who was working as a parole and probation officer dealing with at-risk youths in Oregon at the time of his arrest last year - pleaded no contest in January to second-degree murder in the Jan. 23, 2017 stabbing death of Fabio Sementilli, 49, in the back yard of the Woodland Hills home the prominent hairdresser shared with his wife Monica and their two daughters.
mynewsLA.com
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Ex-con found guilty of security guard’s killing near USC
An ex-con was found guilty Tuesday of murdering a security guard outside a private student housing complex near USC. Jurors deliberated just over two hours before convicting Alexander Crawford, now 33, of first-degree murder for the late-night shooting of Jave Garanganao on Dec. 27, 2022.
mynewsLA.com
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California prison guards can’t dodge inmate death and desecration suit
A federal judge Monday denied prison guards' latest request to dismiss a lawsuit filed in the wake of the killing and dismemberment of a California inmate. Dora Solares, the mother of deceased inmate Luis Romero, sued several people after Jaime Osuna was accused of killing her son while sharing a prison cell.
Courthouse News Service
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State audit says California’s prisons are not prepared for natural disasters
Two years after a pair of Kings County prisons narrowly avoided catastrophic flooding, a state audit released last week now argues those prisons would not have been prepared to evacuate quickly. In fact, the audit argued that most prisons - in addition to California State Prison, Corcoran, and the nearby Substance Abuse Treatment Facility - could not fully evacuate their incarcerated populations within three days.
KVPR
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A fight over a progressive L.A. news site leads to dueling lawsuits
The question of who controls a small independent media outlet has roiled Los Angeles’ left for more than a year. This week, the clash over Knock LA exploded into the legal system, with dueling lawsuits that allege copyright and trademark infringement, defamation and even theft of trade secrets.
Los Angeles Times
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Former blue county sheriff unleashes on Dems after switching parties: 'Party of paid protests'
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is now a registered Republican after leaving the Democratic Party. "As of today, I’m leaving the party of paid protests, purple hair, and pronouns. And I’m joining the party of faith, family, and freedom - the Republican Party," Villanueva told the Unite Inland Empire Conservative Conference on Saturday.
FOX News
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Donald Trump says US government ‘not going to pay’ for California high-speed rail
President Donald Trump says the U.S. government will not pay for California’s high-speed rail project, fueling growing concerns that the bullet train will not have stable federal funding for the foreseeable future. “That train is the worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen,” Trump said during a Tuesday news conference in the Oval Office. “It’s, like, totally out of control.”
Fresno Bee
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