Afternoon Briefs: Officer charged in arrest death of Rayshard Brooks; mixed grades for pass-fail changes
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Officer is charged in death of Rayshard Brooks
Former Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe has been charged with felony murder and other charges in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks at an Atlanta Wendy’s restaurant Friday. A second officer faces lesser charges. Police were trying to arrest Brooks on a DUI charge when Brooks struggled and obtained an officer’s Taser. Brooks began to run away but pointed the Taser over his shoulder at the officers. Rolfe responds by firing his gun. Lawyers for Rolfe have said deadly force was justified because the officer thought Brooks posed an immediate threat of serious injury. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN)
48% of surveyed law grads support pass-fail grading, for now
Law students have mixed views about a switch to pass-fail grading during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey of nearly 200 law graduates by test preparation company Kaplan Test Prep. The survey found that 48% of graduates support the change, and 41% oppose it. After the pandemic ends, 25% want pass-fail grading to remain, while 63% oppose it. (Law.com, Kaplan Test Prep press release)
Solicitor general to leave post at end of term
U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco is leaving his post at the end of the U.S. Supreme Court term. Francisco’s resignation letter said he is leaving to return to the private sector and to spend more time with his family. The letter praised President Donald Trump for appointing two Supreme Court justices and nearly 200 district and appeals judges who “will redound to the benefit of the nation for many years to come.” Taking Francisco’s place on an acting basis is Principal Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall. (The Washington Post, Law.com, Francisco’s letter via @lawrencehurley)
PG&E pleads guilty to 84 manslaughter counts in California wildfires
The CEO of the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. pleaded guilty on the company’s behalf Tuesday to 84 counts of manslaughter in the deadly California wildfires. The company will pay a $3.5 million fine and $500,000 to cover investigative costs for poorly maintained equipment that started the fires. (Courthouse News Service, the New York Times)
