Judge limits access to gruesome Parkland murder photos and video
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting case inches closer to trial, the judge overseeing it is setting down strict rules to protect sensitive crime scene photos and videos from leaking to the general public.
Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, expressing concern for the victims and their families, said she will not display the graphic material on television monitors in the courtroom, nor will she allow them to be transmitted to a nearby room where dozens of local and national media outlets will monitor the proceedings.
Some of those outlets, including the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Associated Press, The New York Times and the publisher of the Miami Herald, argued that the media should have a First Amendment right of access to the pictures and video because they are being used by the state in arguing for the execution of confessed gunman Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 people at the Parkland high school on Feb. 14, 2018.
The judge agreed to a framework pitched by media lawyer Dana McElroy, of Thomas & LoCicero, that would have pool representatives of the media review the evidence when court is in recess. To avoid leaks, those representatives will not be permitted to bring cellphones, cameras or recording equipment with them. The pool reporters will relay descriptions of the evidence to their competitors and colleagues.
According to a defense motion filed Wednesday, prosecutors have 450 pictures and videos they plan to introduce.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel
North Dakota's only abortion clinic files lawsuit to block enforcement of trigger ban
North Dakota's only abortion provider filed a lawsuit in state court Thursday attempting to block enforcement of the state's trigger ban.
The trigger law, passed in 2007 by the North Dakota Legislature, would ban nearly all abortions in the state after the U.S.Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley certified the Supreme Court decision a few days after the ruling came down in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, meaning North Dakota's trigger ban is due to go into effect July 28, 30 days after his certification.
In the lawsuit, the Red River Women's Clinic argues the ban goes against the state constitution.
"The Abortion Ban unconstitutionally deprives Plaintiffs' patients of their right to life, safety, and happiness" guaranteed under the state constitution, the lawsuit alleges, "by prohibiting all abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the pregnant woman."
The lawsuit also disputes on a technicality the date the ban is due to go into effect. The clinic argues that while the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, it has not yet issued a judgment, which is a separate order issued after the opinion.
"We have faced relentless attacks from North Dakota lawmakers who have long wanted us gone, but we will fight this draconian ban like the other outrageous bans and restrictions that came before it," Tammi Kromenaker, director of the Red River Women's Clinic, said in a statement. "In the meantime, we will keep our doors open to provide abortion care to patients who need us."
—Minneapolis Star Tribune
Las Vegas considers implementing curfew after recent shootings
Officials in Las Vegas are mulling a curfew for those under the age of 21 following recent shootings and gun violence in the downtown area.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman announced the potential curfew in a series of tweets on Tuesday, the day after a man was shot right outside the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Vegas early Monday morning, Fox5 reported. Authorities said a fight broke out between two people, one of whom fired a gun at the other.
Goodman said she has already discussed the matter with with downtown Las Vegas property owners and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
“We’re all in agreement there is no tolerance for violence/crime,” she tweeted. “(The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department) and our city marshals have committed to an increased law enforcement presence. Our City Attorney will prosecute violators to the fullest, and we’re exploring a curfew for those under 21.”
—New York Daily News
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