Afternoon Briefs: Judge orders shelter for homeless people; state must release execution drug info
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Judge orders LA to find shelter for homeless near freeways
On Friday, U.S. District Judge David Carter ordered the county and city of Los Angeles to find shelter for up to 7,000 homeless people living near freeways. Carter said shelters must allow for appropriate social distancing, along with adequate showers and sinks. (The New York Times)
Nebraska must release execution drug info, court rules
The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state must turn over records about the source of execution drugs used to kill Carey Dean Moore, the first person to be executed with the drug fentanyl. Three other drugs were also used in the execution. The court ruled in a public-records case filed by the Omaha World-Herald, the Lincoln Journal Star and the ACLU of Nebraska. (The Omaha World-Herald via the Marshall Project, the Nebraska Supreme Court opinion)
Sen. Lindsey Graham says he would work to confirm SCOTUS nominee in election year
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham says he would work to confirm any nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020. Graham said the Senate’s refusal to act on the nomination of Merrick Garland in 2016 was different because the Senate and presidency were held by different parties. Graham spoke with Greta Van Susteren of Full Court Press on Sunday. (The Hill, Salon)
Paralegal for US attorney is charged with warning drug cartel
A paralegal for the U.S attorney in San Antonio has been accused of passing on law enforcement information to a drug cartel. Paralegal Jennifer Loya, 30, was arrested May 8 and charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine. (The New York Times, the San Antonio News-Express)
Former Illinois governor is disbarred
The Illinois Supreme Court disbarred former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday. President Donald Trump had commuted Blagojevich’s 14-year sentence for political corruption in February, after the former governor had served eight years in prison. In its disbarment recommendation, the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission found that Blagojevich engaged in “a pattern of dishonest and deceptive conduct.” (The Illinois Supreme Court announcement, the Chicago Sun-Times)
