Oklahoma

SCOTUS delivers on US promises, at least partly, made to Native Americans after Trail of Tears

The opening words of Justice Neil M. Gorsuch’s opinion for the U.S. Supreme Court in a major case on American Indian law leaped off the page for many advocates for Native Americans. The court, in a 5-4 decision on July 9, held that the Creek reservation in eastern Oklahoma had never been “disestablished” by Congress.

Jul 27, 2020 2:36 PM CDT

SCOTUS rules for pro se petitioner in tribal case that could upend hundreds of convictions

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a large part of eastern central Oklahoma is an American Indian reservation, a decision that calls into question hundreds of state court convictions.

Jul 9, 2020 9:18 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Oklahoma top court won’t block Trump rally; cop union loses bid to destroy records

Oklahoma’s top court refuses to block Trump rally The Oklahoma Supreme Court refused to block a campaign rally Friday for President Donald Trump that is scheduled for Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plaintiffs had argued that the indoor event should be stopped to protect against the COVID-19 risk. (The Oklahoman)…

Jun 19, 2020 3:25 PM CDT

Judge awards the zoo in Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’ to Joe Exotic’s rival

A federal judge in Oklahoma awarded Monday the zoo made famous in Netflix’s Tiger King to the Big Cat Rescue Corp., founded by Joe Exotic’s rival, Carole Baskin.

Jun 2, 2020 11:58 AM CDT

Texas abortion providers withdraw Supreme Court petition after new 5th Circuit decision

Abortion providers in Texas have withdrawn a Supreme Court application to allow medication abortions to continue in the state after a federal appeals court granted the relief that they sought.

Apr 15, 2020 9:54 AM CDT

Oklahoma will resume executions after 5-year moratorium

Oklahoma plans to resume lethal injections following a five-year moratorium spurred by botched executions.

Feb 14, 2020 11:46 AM CST

Lawyer who created digital child porn to make a legal point can’t escape $300K judgment, court rules

An Ohio lawyer and expert witness who created digital child pornography in defense of his clients can’t escape a $300,000 civil judgment in bankruptcy, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Jan 7, 2020 1:30 PM CST

SCOTUS accepts pro se appeal that could upend hundreds of convictions

The U.S. Supreme Court accepted Friday a pro se cert petition to once again consider whether a large part of eastern central Oklahoma is an American Indian reservation, which could call into question hundreds of state convictions.

Dec 16, 2019 10:33 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law student expelled after posting flyers; Harvey Weinstein reportedly reaches $25M deal

Suspended law student is expelled after posting ‘okay to be white’ flyers A suspended law student at Oklahoma City University was expelled after he posted flyers reading “It’s okay to be white.” The student violated the terms of his suspension, which barred him from being on school property, according to…

Dec 11, 2019 3:21 PM CST

More than 450 inmates are released in this state in largest one-day commutation in US history

More than 450 inmates were released in Oklahoma on Monday as a result of a law that retroactively applies lower sentences for drug possession and low-level property crimes that voters approved in 2016.

Nov 5, 2019 9:59 AM CST

Investigator claims DA wrongly ordered probe of criminal justice reformers

A fired investigator claims that Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater improperly ordered a probe into supporters of criminal justice reform.

Oct 30, 2019 10:36 AM CDT

Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for cocaine before test showed real identity of white substance

A homeless man arrested in Oklahoma City was sentenced to 15 years in prison on a cocaine charge before the final test results revealed the real identity of the white powder found in his backpack.

Oct 17, 2019 1:03 PM CDT

‘Gate money’ for released prisoners is usually chump change

Some formerly incarcerated people say it’s often not enough to meet their basic needs

Sep 11, 2019 2:49 PM CDT

$572M verdict against Johnson & Johnson in opioid suit is based on Oklahoma’s unusual public nuisance law

An Oklahoma judge ruled Monday that Johnson & Johnson is liable for $572 million for the public nuisance it created when it engaged in a marketing campaign that promoted opioid use.

Aug 27, 2019 10:37 AM CDT

Stun belts are intended to keep control in courtroom, but some judges use them to inflict punishment

James Calvert had been a difficult defendant. On trial in 2015 on charges of murdering his wife and kidnapping his son, Calvert had chosen to represent himself, but was having trouble following the judge’s instructions to stand up when addressing the Smith County court in East Texas.

Jul 30, 2019 9:27 AM CDT