Report: Judge violated conduct code, campaign finance rules
BRIGHTON (AP) — A retired judge named to oversee misconduct complaints against a Michigan judge says he found that the state code of conduct for judges and campaign finance rules were violated.
The recent report from William Giovan says Livingston County District Court Judge Theresa Brennan’s concealment of a relationship with a detective who was a key investigator in a 2013 murder trial she presided over is “gross misconduct.”
After the report’s release, Livingston County’s prosecutor announced he’ll seek an order to vacate the convictions of the accused killer, Jerome Kowalski, and grant him a new trial.
The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission also said Brennan used staff to perform personal services. She was recently charged with perjury and destroying evidence in her divorce case.
Officials: State couldn’t run background checks for guns
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A new state report says Vermont won't be able to run its own background checks for gun sales.
The Department of Public Safety finds that because only licensed dealers can access the federal database system, the state will not be able to offer an alternative to running background checks through gun shops. Vermont Public Radio reports anyone who buys a gun from a federally licensed dealer is required to have a background check under federal and state law.
Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Christopher Herrick says lawmakers wanted to see if a system could be set up for private sales, but the state would not have access to the full range of databases.
Court rules mother’s drug use in pregnancy isn’t child abuse
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's highest court says mothers who use illegal drugs while pregnant can't be considered perpetrators of child abuse against their newly born children under the state's child protection law.
The court's main opinion issued Friday says the law's definition of a child doesn't include fetuses or unborn children, and it says victims of perpetrators must be children.
Two justices who dissented say what should matter is when the injury manifests itself, and that can be after the child is born.
The case involves a child who spent 19 days in a hospital last year after birth being treated for drug dependence that caused severe withdrawal symptoms.
Armed standoff ends after SWAT member sings Christmas carol
EAST VINCENT TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say an armed man who held off SWAT members for 10 hours surrendered after one of them sang him a Christmas carol.
Nathaniel Lewis, 34, of Chester County, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody in East Vincent Township early on Dec. 26.
Published reports say Lewis allegedly fired at officers who had responded when a concerned relative reported him acting erratically Christmas night.
The shots hit a police vehicle, a house and another vehicle. Police returned fire.
Eventually a negotiator got Lewis to agree to surrender after singing "White Christmas" to him.
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