Court Roundup

Indiana
Justice: Courts must correct ‘entrenched disparities’ is system
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush has called for more action to improve implicit bias and racial disparity in court systems.

Rush released a statement earlier this month amid worldwide protests and demonstrations following George Floyd’s death, according to The (Northwest Indiana) Times. She said the “gravity of the events” required a response from the judicial branch.

Among other things she’s calling for more emphasis on training for implicit bias, better pathways for people of color to become lawyers and judges and public input.

“Courts are the hallowed halls within which justice is sought. It is guaranteed by due process and equal protection rights. But, if their power is abused, courts can be complicit in perpetuating the bias and inequity that are carved in our nation’s history,” she said. “I want to make known that we can and must do better.”

She said the public can submit details on ways to improve the courts at on.in.gov/innovate.

Rush said the courts must listen to “communities who are too often unheard.”

“We need to correct the entrenched disparities that still divide us,” she said.

Rush was first named chief justice in 2014 and reappointed last year.

Delaware
Proposal would ban release of arrest photos of juveniles
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — There are growing calls in Delaware for police to stop releasing mug shots of arrested juveniles.

The News Journal reported Monday that a proposal to ban such booking photos has been placed in the Black Legislative Caucus’s agenda for police and criminal justice reform.

“It needs to stop,” said state Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, a Democrat from New Castle. “They need to put more focus on addressing red flag behaviors early on.”

Advocates for criminal justice reform have been calling for the practice to end. They’ve argued that people who’ve only been accused of a crime should not be portrayed as criminals and put at risk of losing a job and other opportunities. The consequences can be especially dire for young people.

 The News Journal does not typically identify minors who’ve been arrested. Their identity is often shielded from the public in a court system that is separate from adults.

Police departments across the state differ on their approach. Some agencies already restrict the release of minors’ information.

Missouri
2nd man charged in death of retired St. Louis police captain
O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — A second man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of retired St. Louis police Capt. David Dorn during a pawn shop break-in that followed a night of violent protests.

Mark Jackson, 22, of St. Louis, was charged with second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, stealing and three counts of armed criminal action. The charges were filed Thursday but confirmed Monday by Allison Hawk, a spokeswoman for Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.

Stephan Cannon, 24, the suspected shooter, was earlier charged with first-degree murder, robbery and other crimes. Both men are jailed without bond. Jackson does not have a listed attorney.

Dorn, 77, was killed June 2 on the sidewalk outside Lee’s Pawn and Jewelry. Dorn’s last moments were caught on video and apparently posted on Facebook Live, though the video has since been taken down.

Dorn’s death came on a violent night in St. Louis, where four officers were shot, officers were pelted with rocks and fireworks, and dozens of businesses were burglarized or damaged, including a convenience store that burned.

The unrest occurred during one of many protests following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes, even after Floyd, who was black, stopped moving and pleaded for air.

Dorn, who was black, was a friend of the pawn shop owner and often checked on the business when alarms went off.

According to a police probable cause statement, Cannon and Jackson were among those seen on surveillance footage entering the store and then stealing several televisions. Dorn arrived at the store and was shot.

The probable cause statement said surveillance cameras showed Jackson, Cannon and a third person fleeing in a Pontiac G6 that had a temporary license plate registered to Jackson. Police also found Jackson’s debit card and his fingerprint on a TV left inside the pawn shop, the statement said.

Two other men have been charged with looting the pawn shop.