Legal News

Is It Forensics or Is It Junk Science?

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 5:00am

It’s been decades since the intersection of forensic science and criminal justice first became a pop culture phenomenon, popularized by countless TV shows, movies and books. But the public’s growing awareness of forensic techniques obscures a far more complex field that’s chock full of bogus science — and the people who champion it, often for profit.

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As Charges Loom Over Trump, Prosecutors Come Under Fire – A Criminal Justice Expert Explains What’s At Stake

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 2:00am

Former President Donald Trump held his first presidential campaign events on Jan. 28, 2023, against the heavy backdrop of four major criminal investigations into his behavior while in and out of office.

In the lead-up to his campaign launch, Trump personally attacked prosecutors and the investigations they are leading as politically biased and a “hoax.”

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Alec Baldwin Scheduled For Court On Charges In Set Death

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 2:00am

This aerial photo shows the movie set of “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Prosecutors announced Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 they are charging Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter. (Jae C. Hong / AP Photo)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alec Baldwin's first court appearance has been set as he confronts accusations of firearm safety failures and involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a New Mexico film set.

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Lawsuit Claims Redistricting In Thurston County Discriminated Against Native Americans

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 5:00am

Thurston County Courthouse in Pender, Nebraska; seen from the west. A lawsuit filed last Thursday in U.S. District Court maintains that county supervisor districts were intentionally redrawn to dilute the vote of Native Americans, in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act.
(Wikimedia Commons)

LINCOLN — Lawyers on behalf of the Omaha and Winnebago Tribes of Nebraska have gone to court to object to redistricting plans adopted by the Thurston County Board for its seven members.

A lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court maintains that county supervisor districts were intentionally redrawn to dilute the vote of Native Americans, in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act.

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What Is Involuntary Manslaughter? A Law Professor Explains The Charge Facing Alec Baldwin For ‘Rust’ Shooting Death

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 4:00am

A prosecutor in New Mexico intends to charge Alec Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter it was announced on Jan. 19, 2023, over the deadly shooting on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021. The shooting occurred while Baldwin was rehearsing a scene with a gun that had been loaded with live ammunition instead of blanks. The prosecutor also intends to charge Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer responsible for overseeing the safety of firearms on the set, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter as well.

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Omaha Man Who Sexually Assaulted A Minor To ‘Break Her In’ For Sex Trafficking Found Guilty After Four-Day Trial

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 3:00am

LINCOLN — After a four-day trial, 25-year-old Dalonte Foard of Omaha was found guilty Monday by federal jury of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a minor.

Foard faces up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years.

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Omaha Senator Pushes Parole Board Changes, Marijuana Decriminalization

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/23/2023 - 2:00am

LINCOLN — Nebraska Parole Board members who miss more than three meetings a year would lose their seat on the panel that decides which state prisoners can re-enter society early, under a bill State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha introduced last Wednesday.

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Creighton Prep Mock Trial Team Preps For Nationals

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 01/20/2023 - 5:00am

Creighton Prep students standing with their coaches and Justice Funke and Judge Bazis following the championship round of the state competition against Duchesne Academy. This year’s team secured a win at the Federal Courthouse in Omaha, Neb. on December 5-6, 2022. (Courtesy of Nebraska State Bar Foundation)

It wasn’t a surprising move for Ben Cooper to join the mock trial team at Creighton Prep. After all, his father is an attorney.

And it shouldn’t be a surprise that he and his team are headed to the national competition in Little Rock, Arkansas, during May. That’s become a habit for Prep in recent years, with the team having won six of the last seven state titles.

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American Legion Decides To Censure, Not Remove, Officials Who Wore Legion Caps To Pardons Hearing

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 01/20/2023 - 4:00am

NORFOLK, Nebraska — Voices rose and gavels pounded last Friday, but in the end, several officers with the American Legion were censured, rather than removed from office, for wearing their official Legion caps as a show of support for pardoning a convicted sex offender.

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Proposed LGBTQ Legislation Is Workforce Recruitment Tool, Says Nebraska Senator

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 3:00am

State Sen. John Fredrickson - District 20

LINCOLN — Among bills introduced last Monday in the Nebraska Legislature are two intended to ensure rights of the LGBTQ community.

Legislative Bill 169, introduced by Sens. Megan Hunt and John Fredrickson, both of Omaha, would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.