Idaho

Investigation opened against Idaho judge from high school football sexual assault case

A southern Idaho judge, who presided over a high-profile, racially charged criminal case against white high school football players accused of sexually assaulting a black mentally disabled student, is being investigated by the Idaho Judicial Council. A Change.org petition that calls for Judge Randy Stoker to be removed from bench…

Mar 10, 2017 12:55 PM CST

Judge makes celibacy outside of marriage a condition of probation

An Idaho judge sentencing a 19-year-old man for rape last week remarked on the defendant’s number of sexual partners and set an unusual condition for probation. Judge Randy Stoker told Cody Duane Scott Herrera that, if he successfully completes an education and rehabilitation program, Herrera could be placed on probation…

Feb 7, 2017 9:55 AM CST

Another state bans fantasy sports sites for violating gambling laws

Idahoans can no longer join daily, online fantasy sports contests, because the cash prizes reportedly violate state gambling laws. “Idaho defines gambling, in part, as risking money or other thing of value for gain that is contingent in whole or part upon chance or the outcome of an event, including…

May 3, 2016 12:00 PM CDT

Couple must sue to evict stranger who moved into their vacant home

Brian and Renae Prindle never agreed to rent their Canyon County, Idaho, home to Debbra Smith. Instead, they had moved out at the end of 2015 to expedite its renovation and sale. But Smith is now living there, as the couple discovered last month. And, because she claims to have…

Apr 12, 2016 11:50 AM CDT

En banc 9th Circuit nixes conviction of vet who wore unearned medals, cites free speech

A federal appeals court has nixed the criminal conviction of an Idaho man who served in the U.S. Marine Corps but never earned medals he later wore, including the Purple Heart. Finding a portion of the Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional under First Amendment standards, an 11-judge en banc panel of…

Jan 12, 2016 12:20 PM CST

Judge overturns Idaho ‘ag gag’ law barring undercover videos at agricultural facilities

A federal judge in Idaho has found that Idaho’s so-called “ag gag” law violates the First Amendment. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled on Monday, striking down the law that criminalizes undercover videos at agricultural facilities, report the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times and the Idaho Statesman. The…

Aug 4, 2015 11:41 AM CDT

Bomb goes off at door of law firm

Police in Idaho Falls, Idaho, are investigating a bomb blast at a local law firm that occurred not long after midnight on Friday. “A wall shaker, I knew it was more than a gun going off,” neighbor Payl Ahlstrom told KBOI. “It was pretty impressive to say the least.” The…

Aug 3, 2015 1:55 PM CDT

Murder defendant had to choose between desired lawyer and speedy trial

A Pennsylvania man facing first-degree murder charges in the deaths of two Boise, Idaho, residents wants to be defended by the attorney of his choice, Philadelphia lawyer Jack McMahon. But John C. Douglas, 45, also wanted to assert his right to a speedy trial in the Ada County case, local…

Jul 30, 2015 10:27 AM CDT

Judicial Conference declares ‘judicial emergency’ in Idaho, which has only 1 federal judge on bench

The policy-making body for the nation’s federal courts has declared a state of “judicial emergency” in Idaho, which has only one sitting federal judge. One of 28 such emergencies in effect nationwide, it was announced Tuesday morning by the Judicial Conference of the United States, reports the Spokane, Washington, Spokesman-Review.…

Jul 15, 2015 1:00 PM CDT

ACLU suit claims Idaho’s public defender system violates Sixth Amendment

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a suit contending that Idaho’s system of public defense violates defendants’ Sixth Amendment right to adequate legal representation. The suit (PDF), filed in Idaho federal court, contends Idaho has a “patchwork” public defense system, and a majority of the state’s counties fail to…

Jun 19, 2015 5:45 AM CDT

Will probe of balcony collapse that killed 6 lead to new apartment building standards?

Following a fatal porch collapse in Chicago over a decade ago that killed 13 people and injured dozens more, the city strengthened both its building code and its enforcement procedures. It appears that a similar process may now be underway in Berkeley, California, where a fourth-floor apartment balcony collapse Tuesday…

Jun 18, 2015 1:55 PM CDT

Man pleads guilty to setting fire at lawyer’s home

A man in Idaho Falls, Idaho, has pleaded guilty to first-degree arson for setting a fire at the home of a lawyer who represented his ex-wife in the couple’s divorce. Melvin Savage pleaded guilty on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports, citing information from the Post Register (sub. req.). Police say…

Mar 26, 2015 11:32 AM CDT

Boy, 9, is arrested for failure to appear on gum-stealing charge; prosecutor regrets ‘mistake’

An Idaho prosecutor is expressing regret after his office issued an arrest warrant for a 9-year-old boy who twice failed to appear in court on a charge of stealing a pack of gum. Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh issued a statement saying his office’s decision to issue an arrest…

Jan 13, 2015 6:43 AM CST

Prosecutor’s recitation of ‘Dixie’ leads to overturned conviction

An Idaho appeals court has overturned the conviction of an African American defendant because the prosecutor recited lines from Dixie in her rebuttal closing argument. The Dec. 19 decision (PDF) said defendant James Kirk’s due process and equal protection rights were violated by reference to the song, described by the…

Dec 31, 2014 7:57 AM CST

Same-sex marriage allowed in Idaho after SCOTUS and 9th Circuit lift stays

Gay marriages could begin on Wednesday in Idaho after stays were lifted by the U.S. Supreme Court and then the by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 9th Circuit lifted its stay on Monday before lawyers representing gay couples submitted briefs in opposition to the state’s…

Oct 14, 2014 7:22 AM CDT