Judicial News

Judge Russel "Rusty" Duke spares Blackwater protestors from Jail Time

CURRITUCK
Seven protesters convicted of trespassing at Blackwater Worldwide headquarters in Moyock received no additional jail time when they were sentenced.

Currituck County Superior Court Judge Russell Duke gave no additional jail to the seven, six of whom also were convicted of resisting arrest. They had appealed their original convictions from District Court in December.

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Justice J. David McCombs denies bail for Toronto teen accused of murdering another teen out of jealousy

OTTAWA - A 16-year-old girl charged with killing Toronto teen Stefanie Rengel was denied bail Wednesday by a Superior Court judge, who said detention is justified in the ''heinous'' crime in order to maintain public confidence in the justice system.

Stefanie, 14, was found a few steps from her East York home, suffering from stab wounds, on New Year's Day. A teenage girl and her boyfriend, who was 17 at the time, have been charged with first-degree murder.

The 16-year-old girl, who walked expressionless into court, began to cry after she was denied bail, and asked a court officer for a tissue to wipe away her tears. Justice David McCombs called for a recess so the girl could meet with her parents. Her mother reached out to her daughter, brushed her hair from her face and cried along with her.

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Judge Terrence Van Oss sentences Mao to 62 to life for killing man over dirty look

STOCKTON - A San Joaquin County Superior Court judge strongly scolded a 22-year-old Stockton man Tuesday before sentencing him to 62 years to life in state prison for fatally shooting another man last year at a Hammer Lane gas station.

Sophan Mao opened fire on Randy Holloway, 27, on Jan. 6, 2007, after somebody "mad mugged" Mao. Mad mugged is a street term used to describe challenging looks. Ryan Holloway, the victim's younger brother, was shot in the leg but survived his injuries.

San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Terrence Van Oss sentenced Mao to the maximum possible state prison term after launching into a brief blistering reprimand of Mao and his gangster lifestyle.

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Justice Antonin Scalia's opinion upholds New York's Judicial Elections System

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court unanimously upheld New York's unique system of choosing trial judges Wednesday, setting aside critics' concerns that political party bosses control the system.

"A political party has a First Amendment right to limit its membership as it wishes and to choose a candidate-selection process that will in its view produce the nominee who best represents its political platform," Justice Antonin Scalia wrote for the court.

In New York, primary voters elect convention delegates who choose candidates for the judgeships. Once nominated, those candidates run on the general election ballot. In practice, they frequently have no opposition.

Unsuccessful candidates for judgeships and a watchdog group filed a lawsuit challenging the system. A federal district judge and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that it is very difficult for candidates to get on the ballot if they don't have support of the party leaders.

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