Afternoon Briefs: Chief justice says pandemic teaches humility; bioweapons charge for alleged spitting
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
Pandemic teaches humility, chief justice tells grads in video remarks
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told graduates at his son’s high school on Saturday that the COVID-19 pandemic should teach humility, compassion and courage. “I think the pandemic is the world’s way of saying to mankind, ‘You’re not in charge,’” Roberts said in his prerecorded video speech. (The National Law Journal, the Associated Press, Roberts’ speech at 4:12 via How Appealing)
Man faces bioweapons charge over alleged coughing and spitting
A Florida man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of perpetrating a biological weapon hoax for allegedly coughing and spitting at police officers while falsely claiming he had COVID-19. The U.S. Justice Department announced the indictment of James Jamal Curry, 31, of St. Petersburg, Florida, last Thursday. (Justice Department press release, the Associated Press, the Orlando Sentinel)
Justice Department supports suit challenging stay-at-home order
The U.S. Department of Justice is supporting a lawsuit challenging a stay-at-home order by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The lawsuit by Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey contends Pritzker wrongly extended his stay-at-home order beyond a 30-day period allowed under state law for exercise of emergency power. The governor had removed the state-court lawsuit to federal court. The Justice Department says in a statement of interest that Bailey makes out a strong case, and the suit should be returned to state court. (Justice Department press release, the Chicago Tribune)
