Court Roundup

Connecticut
Court: Town not immune from lawsuit over student suicide
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The second-highest court in Connecticut has ruled that the town of Greenwich and its school system are not immune from a wrongful death lawsuit involving a 15-year-old boy who killed himself after what his parents say were years of being bullied.

Three judges on the state Appellate Court ruled Friday that the trial court judge was right to reject the town's request to dismiss the lawsuit based on immunity claims.

Bartlomiej "Bart" Palosz (pal-OHZ') shot himself in the head after the first day of his sophomore year at Greenwich High School in August 2013. His parents say officials did not investigate or discipline students who bullied their son.

A town lawyer declined comment, saying he was reviewing the ruling. It's not clear if the town plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Mississippi
Justices affirm conviction of man ID'd by facial tattoo
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court has affirmed the armed robbery and burglary conviction of a man who was identified by a tattoo on his face.

Rickie Omar Smith was convicted in 2017 in Claiborne County. Justices on Thursday rejected Smith's argument that there was too little evidence to convict him of the crimes.

Court records say an Alcorn State University student was home alone in Port Gibson in April 2016 when three people broke in and ransacked her bedroom. Records say they stole money and several items. The victim testified that Smith punched her and threatened to kill her.

The victim testified Smith's face was covered part of the time, but the covering fell and she saw his whole face, including a tattoo. She identified Smith from a photo line-up.