Wisconsin: State High Court says judge didn’t rely on race
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court says the prison sentence of a convicted cocaine dealer should not have been vacated after a judge called the man’s girlfriend a “baby mama.”
An appeals court ruled last year that the white sentencing judge’s comments suggested he improperly considered race when he sentenced Landray M.
Harris, who is black. The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously ruled that Harris could not prove the judge relied on race when sentencing him.
The court says the judge evaluated the gravity of the offense, Harris’s character, and the public’s need for protection.
The court overturned the earlier ruling vacating his sentence.
California: Judge tosses suit to prevent pot clinic closure
DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) — An Orange County judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a blind woman with cerebral palsy who claimed the city of Dana Point violated her right to medical marijuana by trying to close down dispensaries.
A Superior Court Judge on Tuesday dismissed Malinda Traudt’s suit on grounds that there is no state constitutional right to obtain medical pot and the 1996 voter-approved initiative that permitted use of the drug for medical reasons doesn’t pre-empt Dana Point’s zoning laws.
Her attorney says the San Clemente woman plans to appeal.
Traudt, who’s 30, also has epilepsy and osteoporosis and says she needs marijuana to control her pain.
Arkansas: Hearing delay for man charged in wife’s death
ASHDOWN, Ark. (AP) — A hearing to review the mental competency of a southwest Arkansas man charged with killing his estranged wife is being delayed.
The hearing for 43-year-old J.T. Wright scheduled for July 27 is being postponed until Aug. 10 in Little River County Circuit Court. No reason was given for the delay.
Wright is charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 2 shooting death of 34-year-old Leeann Wright. The woman’s body was found in a camper at Buk Fever Deer Camp.
J.T. Wright was found at his home in Wilton with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He’s now being held on $750,000 bond.
An affidavit filed in the case says the Wright’s had a history of domestic problems and the Leeann Wright had discussed divorcing her husband.
Missouri: Plea agreement for man accused in plier attack
NEW MADRID, Mo. (AP) — A southeast Missouri man accused of trying to severe his girlfriend’s ring finger with a pair of pliers will avoid jail after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
The Southeast Missourian reports that Jason J. Robert of Cape Girardeau was scheduled to go to trial July 26 on a charge of felony domestic assault. But on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of misdemeanor peace disturbance.
Robert’s attorney says he will pay a $200 fine.
Authorities say Robert and his fiancee argued on Jan. 22. At an earlier court hearing, the woman testified that he became angry because he couldn’t operate a feature on their television. She said he tried to take her engagement ring by cutting off her finger.
Washington: Man sentenced for cockfighting, marijuana poss.
PASCO, Wash. (AP) — An Eltopia man accused of raising roosters for cockfighting was sentenced Tuesday in Franklin County Superior Court to five months of jail work release.
The Tri-City Herald reports 35-year-old Francisco Javier Mendoza acknowledged he would be found guilty of animal fighting and possession of marijuana.
He was caught holding bags of marijuana in May when police raided his home to look for evidence of cockfighting and gambling.
Kentucky: Man pleads guilty to production of child pornography
COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Attorney for northern Kentucky says current law was used to convict a man using emerging technology in a child sex case.
Verlin Brett Bailey of Florence pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Covington on Tuesday to production of child pornography.
The Kentucky Enquirer reported the 33-year-old Bailey will be sentenced on Oct. 25 and faces a minimum 15-year federal prison term.
Bailey was arrested for persuading a 14-year-old girl to send him nude photos of herself in January by mobile phone — a practice teens call “sexting.”
In a written statement, U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey said the conviction shows suspects don’t have to be in the same room or even the same county with a victim to be found guilty of child pornography.
Massachusetts: Man involved in 1980 Cape Cod slaying walks free
BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) — A man whose murder conviction in the slaying of a Bourne woman 30 years ago was overturned by the state’s highest court has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
Steven Stewart was freed on personal recognizance Tuesday pending sentencing after pleading to the lesser charge in Barnstable Superior Court.
Prosecutors say he is expected to be sentenced to the seven years served.
The Cape Cod Times reports that in exchange, Stewart has agreed to testify against 75-year-old Edmond Carriere, who faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Frances Carriere in 1980.
Prosecutors allege Edmond Carriere paid Stewart and another man $10,000 to kill his wife.
District Attorney Michael O’Keefe said the deal was made “in the interests of justice.”
Tennessee: Attorney General appeals conviction dismissal for doc.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is challenging an appellate court’s dismissal of doctor’s homicide conviction after the physician died.
The Tennessean reports the case could go before the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Dr. Christ (KRIHST’) Koulis died March 26 in a Chicago hospital while he was appealing his negligent homicide conviction in Franklin in the death of his girlfriend in 2005.
Court records show Lesa Buchanan died after she was injected with a mixture of the prescription painkiller oxycodone and acetaminophen.
