Most Vague Verdict: SCOTUS Strikes Down Part of Immigration Law
The Supreme Court struck down part of a federal law designed to make it easier to deport immigrants convicted of crimes, according to an article from the Pasadena Star-News. The court ruled 5-4 that the law is too vague. A coalition of the Court’s four liberal justices plus Neil Gorsuch expressed concern about a provision of the law defining “violent” crime. The case stemmed from the deportation proceedings of James Dimaya, a native of the Philippines who pleaded no contest to burglary charges in California. After the plea, the government began the process to deport him, but a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled the clause in question as unconstitutional prior to the Supreme Court’s review of the law.
Most Private Verdict: Judge Denies Trump, Cohen Request
Manhattan Federal Court Judge Kimba Wood denied a request from President Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen to block investigators from perusing records seized during a raid of Cohen's home and office before they had a chance to look them over, according to The New York Daily News. The hearing to determine who had first crack at reviewing the material took nearly three hours. The judge also denied a request to have a "special master" review the records to determine which, if any, would be privileged. Wood said, though, she may appointed a special master to review documents pertaining to Trump.
Most Int'l Verdict: Equanimity to Be Returned to Trust After Court Rules Seizure 'Legally Baseless'
The U.S. effort to take custody of a $250 million yacht allegedly associated with Malaysia's 1MDB case was blocked by an Indonesian Court, according to an article from The Wall Street Journal. The vessel was seized off the island of Bali but ordered to be returned as a result of the ruling.
The U.S. Justice Department claims the yacht was purchased with money gained through fraud schemes connected to 1Malaysia Development Bhd. The judge said the seizure was not compliant with a 2006 law regarding "mutual legal assistance," which, in this case, required U.S. authorities to contact the Justice Ministry rather than police directly. The Equanimity is owned by a trust under the care of Malaysian financier, Jho Low, who authorities claim had a role in the $4.5 billion fraud case.
Most Unfathomable Verdict: Nanny Guilty in Double Murder
Yoselyn Ortega, a nanny in New York City, was convicted of murdering two children under her care, according to an article from The New York Daily News. The two-month long trial featured testimony from the parents of the victims, who were siblings. The jury deliberated for a day before returning a guilty verdict.
The woman’s defense argued she was “psychotic” and not legally responsible for her actions, while prosecutors alleged she was fully aware of her actions. The parents, Kevin and Marina Krim, said Ortega’s family lied about the nanny’s background and are pushing for legislation to make falsifying references and job applications related to those in child care a crime.
Most Smoking Verdict: Philip Morris Verdict Upheld 2-1 in Florida Appeals Court
A state appeals court upheld a $6.375 million verdict against Philip Morris USA brought by Mary Brown, the widow of a man who died from “smoking related illness," according to the WUSF Public Media.
A panel of 1st District Court of Appeal judges ruled in favor of Brown 2-1. The case was based on a 2006 Florida Supreme Court ruling regarding apparent misrepresentations about the dangers of smoking. Judge Allen Winsor dissented, claiming a new trial should be held due to the jury’s orders to render an initial verdict despite being deadlocked on certain issues.