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A bank robber's cellphone gave him away. Now the Supreme Court is hearing his case

A bank robber's cellphone gave him away. Now the Supreme Court is hearing his case

Okello Chatrie’s cellphone gave him away
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Supreme Court to Decide on Constitutionality of Geofencing in Digital Privacy Case

Supreme Court to Decide on Constitutionality of Geofencing in Digital Privacy Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could redefine digital privacy rights concerning the use of geofencing by law enforcement. In Virginia, police used geofencing to access Google's databases to identify individuals near a bank robbery scene. Geofencing involves creating a virtual boundary around a crime scene and obtaining a warrant to search tech company data for users within that area. The case raises questions about the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and requires warrants to be specific and issued by a neutral magistrate.
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Supreme Court to Decide on Legality of Geofence Warrants in Bank Robbery Case

Supreme Court to Decide on Legality of Geofence Warrants in Bank Robbery Case

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case involving the use of geofence warrants, a controversial law enforcement tool that collects location data from cellphones near a crime scene. The case centers on Okello Chatrie, who was identified as a suspect in a bank robbery in Richmond, Virginia, through a geofence warrant served on Google. This warrant allowed police to access location data from cellphones in the vicinity of the crime, leading to Chatrie's arrest and conviction. The case raises questions about the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches, as geofence warrants do not target specific suspects but rather collect data from all devices in a specified area.
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After waiting years for justice, many Purdue opioid victims are defeated — by paperwork

After waiting years for justice, many Purdue opioid victims are defeated — by paperwork

By Dietrich Knauth April 24 (Reuters) - Tammy Blanton’s life unraveled after years of taking opioids initially prescribed for migraines, according to her daughter Mary Anne, who says the drugs left her mother isolated, unemployed and estranged from her family.
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Justice Gorsuch Advocates Originalism in Defense of Tribal Rights

Justice Gorsuch Advocates Originalism in Defense of Tribal Rights

Justice Neil Gorsuch of the United States Supreme Court has linked his originalist legal philosophy to his reputation as a defender of Native American rights. Speaking at a conference organized by the American Revolution 250 Commission in Williamsburg, Virginia, Gorsuch emphasized his commitment to originalism, a legal philosophy that interprets laws based on their original intent. Gorsuch, appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017 by President Trump, has a history of rulings that support tribal sovereignty. He authored the landmark 2020 opinion in McGirt v. Oklahoma, affirming the reservation status of the Muskogee Creek Nation. Gorsuch's remarks highlighted his belief that the original Constitution treated tribes as sovereign entities, akin to states and foreign nations, and that this original understanding should guide current legal interpretations.
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US appeals court allows Texas to enforce migrant arrest law

US appeals court allows Texas to enforce migrant arrest law

By Nate Raymond April 24 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Friday cleared the way for Texas authorities to enforce a Republican-backed state law that would let them arrest and prosecute people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. A 10-7 panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S.
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Texas Prosecutors Use Rap Lyrics in Death Row Case, Sparking Debate on Artistic Expression

Texas Prosecutors Use Rap Lyrics in Death Row Case, Sparking Debate on Artistic Expression

In Texas, prosecutors have used rap lyrics as evidence to secure a death sentence for James Broadnax, a Black man convicted of capital murder. Broadnax's lyrics, which prosecutors argued indicated gang affiliation and intent, were presented to an almost all-white jury, leading to his death row sentence. This practice of using rap lyrics in court is not uncommon, with over 700 cases in the past 50 years across more than 40 states. Critics argue that this tactic unfairly targets young men of color and mischaracterizes rap as autobiographical rather than artistic expression. The case has drawn attention from high-profile rappers and legal experts who argue that such evidence perpetuates racial stereotypes and biases in the judicial system.
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Federal Program for Native Hawaiian Medical Students Faces Discrimination Lawsuit

Federal Program for Native Hawaiian Medical Students Faces Discrimination Lawsuit

A federal program designed to support Native Hawaiian medical students is facing a legal challenge from a conservative advocacy group, Do No Harm. The group has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming that the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program discriminates against non-Hawaiian students by restricting eligibility based on ancestry. Established in 1988, the program has provided financial aid to hundreds of Native Hawaiian students, who in return, serve in underserved areas of Hawaii. The lawsuit argues that the program should be open to all students, regardless of race, and seeks to have it declared unconstitutional. The program's supporters, including Sheri-Ann Daniels, CEO of Papa Ola Lōkahi, argue that it is essential for addressing healthcare disparities among Native Hawaiians, who face higher rates of morbidity and lower life expectancy compared to other groups.
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Republican proposes giving Democratic-leaning part of Virginia back to DC after redistricting vote

Republican proposes giving Democratic-leaning part of Virginia back to DC after redistricting vote

A Republican congressman has introduced legislation that would expand the borders of Washington, D.C., and cost Virginia Democratic voters
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What to know about a kidnapping case involving a child flown back to the US from Cuba

What to know about a kidnapping case involving a child flown back to the US from Cuba

A couple from Utah face parental kidnapping charges after being accused of taking a 10-year-old child to Cuba amid a complicated custody fight involving the child’s gender identity
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U.S. Supreme Court Limits Presidential Tariff Authority, Impacting Trade Policy

U.S. Supreme Court Limits Presidential Tariff Authority, Impacting Trade Policy

U.S. Supreme Court Limits Presidential Tariff Authority, Impacting Trade Policy
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Oregon's New Law on License Plate Readers Sparks Privacy Debate

Oregon's New Law on License Plate Readers Sparks Privacy Debate

Oregon's Senate Bill 1516, effective immediately, allows residents to sue companies that misuse data from license plate readers. The law limits data retention to 30 days unless linked to criminal investigations and restricts data sharing with federal agencies. It aims to protect privacy amid concerns about surveillance and potential misuse for immigration enforcement. The law is part of a broader public safety package and reflects increased scrutiny of surveillance technologies.