Shooting ruled homicide
Orleans Parish Coroner Jeffrey Rouse rules police shooting of Glover outside a police substation in an Algiers strip mall days after Hurricane Katrina a “homicide”, instead of “undetermined”. Rouse bases the classification on a review of all available evidence and a review of court transcripts:
Having received additional information, it became very clear to me that the appropriate classification was homicide. That is simply from a medical standpoint, and simply means a death was caused by the intentional actions of another person. It is not a legal finding of manslaughter or justifiable or murder or anything of that nature.
Glover’s aunt Rebecca Glover declares,
It is a homicide. It always was a homicide.
Suspended without pay
The NFL suspends Farmer for the first four games of the 2015 season for sending texts to personnel during games, which violates the NFL’s electronic device policy. The Browns are also fined $250,000. NFL:
There was no evidence in the NFL’s review that Browns ownership or any other team executives had knowledge of the prohibited conduct. Once the violation was discovered, Browns management implemented new processes to ensure future compliance.
Farmer:
I respect the league’s decision and understand that there are consequences for my actions. Accountability is integral to what we are trying to build, and as a leader, I need to set the right example. I made a mistake and apologize to Jimmy Haslam, [coach] Mike Pettine, our entire organization and our fans for the ramifications. Learning is a big part of who I am, and I will certainly be better from this situation.
Crowd noise fine, lose draft pick
As punishment for piping crowd noise into home games, the Falcons are fined $350,000 and forfeit a 2016, fifth-round draft pick. The Falcons will not appeal the punishment.
What took place was wrong and nowhere near the standards by which we run our business. Anytime there are actions that compromise the integrity of the NFL or threaten the culture of our franchise, as this issue did, they will be dealt with swiftly and strongly.
Rejects appeal on free speech ruling
The Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal filed by three students from Live Oak High School. The appeal was filed after a San Francisco court ruled that the school’s officials did not violate their students’ free speech rights at an event celebrating Cinco de Mayo, during which school officials commanded several students to take off the T-shirts they were wearing that bore the image of the U.S. flag.
Pao loses fourth count
After a further two hours deliberation, the jury says that Kleiner Perkins did not fire Pao on the the basis of her filing the current lawsuit. Pao:
I want to thank my family and friends and everyone, male and female, who has reached out to tell me their stories. I have told my story and thousands of people have heard it. My story is their story. If I’ve helped to level the playing field for women and minorities in venture capital, then the battle was worth it. Now it’s time for me to get back to my career.
Kleiner Perkins:
Today’s verdict reaffirms that Ellen Pao’s claims have no legal merit. We are grateful to the jury for its careful examination of the facts. There is no question gender diversity in the workplace is an important issue. KPCB remains committed to supporting women in venture capital and technology both inside our firm and within our industry.
Jury decides against Pao on three counts, sent back for fourth
After a 24 day trial, and two days of deliberations, the jury says it finds Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers innocent on all counts of sex discrimination against former employee Pao. However, when Judge Kahn asks each individual juror their decision, it is discovered that count 4 (was Pao terminated in response to her filing suit) has not been decided fully, having an 8-4 majority, instead of the 9-3 required, and the jury is told to go back. Kahn:
At this point ladies and gentlemen, I must ask you to resume your deliberations.
Loses excessively hard croutons case
Everett Chattman is awarded $2,400, plus interest and court costs for injury when dining at a Pizza Hut in Harriman, Tennesse. Chattman accused the restaurant of “negligently serving excessively hard croutons” that damaged a specialized partial denture. The restaurant’s insurance company refused to settle so Chattman’s lawyer decided to sue.
Knox, Sollecito acquitted
Italy’s top appeals court acquits Knox and Sollecito of charges stemming from Kercher’s murder. Neither defendant appears in court. Knox:
You saved my life, and I am so grateful. I’m so grateful that I have my life back. Thank you. That’s all I can say. Right now I’m still absorbing what all of this means. Meredith was my friend, she deserved so much in this life.
Sides With Worker in Pregnancy Discrimination
The Supreme Court rules that pregnant workers can sue employers who deny them accommodations afforded to employees with disabilities, after a former UPS worker claims she was not accommodated when she was pregnant. The decision, by a 6-3 vote, adds to a series of recent moves expanding protections for pregnant women, including changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act and recent guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. UPS:
The new policy strengthens UPS’s commitments to supporting women in the workplace and to treating all workers fairly.
Assault case closed
Brown’s probation officially ends as the court closes Rihanna assault case. Brown’s attorney, Geragos:
I couldn’t be more delighted. He is in a spot right now and a place right now that I couldn’t be prouder of him. It is a monumental feat for him.
Superbowl seat judgement
A federal jury orders the NFL to pay about $76,000 to some of the seven fans who sued over the seating issue at the 2011 Super Bowl. The jury says the NFL breached its contract with some ticket holders, but the NFL did not commit fraud. The plaintiffs complained that they had tickets to the game, but they either ended up without seats or they had seats with obstructed views. Hours before kickoff, around 1,250 temporary seats were declared unsafe, forcing about 850 ticket holders to move to new seats and 400 others to standing-room areas. The NFL says it fully compensated these displaced attendees.
Copied Blurred Lines: $7.3m damages
The jury awards $7.3 million to Gaye’s family after deciding Williams and Thicke copied Blurred Lines from Gaye’s 1977 hit Got to Give It Up. Nona Gaye wept as the verdict was being read and was hugged by her attorney, Richard Busch, who had said Williams and Thicke were liars who went beyond trying to emulate the sound of Gaye’s late-1970s music and copied the song outright. The song has earned more than $5 million apiece for Thicke and Williams.
Suspension, probation, post-season ban
After a multiyear investigation into the university’s athletic programs, the NCAA suspends Boeheim for nine ACC games, takes away 12 men’s basketball scholarships, and orders that 108 of Boeheim’s wins must be vacated (during which ineligible players participated). Syracuse University is placed on five years of probation as well as two years of recruiting restrictions, and they must also vacate all wins by their football team during the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons. The violations involve academic misconduct; extra benefits; failure to follow the drug-testing policy; impermissible booster activity; impermissible academic assistance and services; Boeheim’s failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance and monitor his staff; and the school’s lack of control over its athletics program.
Over the course of a decade, Syracuse University did not control and monitor its athletics programs, and its head men’s basketball coach failed to monitor his program…Improper institutional involvement and influence in a student’s academic work in order to gain or maintain eligibility is a violation of NCAA rules and a violation of the most fundamental core values of the NCAA and higher education. The behavior in this case, which placed the desire to achieve success on the basketball court over academic integrity, demonstrated clearly misplaced institutional priorities.
Won’t be charged
After conducting a months-long investigation, the Delaware attorney general announces that Busch will not be charged over the alleged assault of his ex-girlfriend. This decision does not affect Busch’s NASCAR suspension.
I am grateful that the prosecutors in Delaware listened, carefully considered the evidence, and after a thorough investigation decided to not file criminal charges against me. I wish to thank my family, friends, fans, and race team who stood by me throughout this nightmare with their unwavering support.
Thanks also goes to my legal team for making sure that the truth got out and was fully provided to the prosecutors. As I have said from the beginning, I did not commit domestic abuse. I look forward to being back in racing as soon as possible and moving on with my life.
$60,000 speeding ticket
Kuisla receives a $60,000 speeding ticket after he was stopped by police for driving at 103 kph (64 mph) in a 80 kph (50 mph) zone. Since traffic fines in Finland are based on income, the police officer looked up Kuisla’s tax return and did some quick math before handing Kuisla the fine.
It is no wonder that many people considering [sic] moving out of here.
Doesn’t get death penalty
Arias is spared from the death penalty after the jury deadlocks over whether she should be executed or given a life-sentence. This is the second time a jury has been unable to reach a decision on her punishment. Arias’s sentence is up to the judge, who will either sentence her to life in prison or to a life term with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The victim’s siblings issued a statement:
[We] are saddened by the jury’s inability to reach a decision on the death penalty, however, we understand the difficulty of the decision, and have nothing but respect for the jury’s time.
Ruling in abuse case
U.S. District Judge David Doty rules that an NFL arbitrator failed to meet his duty in Peterson’s child abuse case. This ruling sends the case back for further proceedings. Doty says the NFL arbitrator “simply disregarded the law of the shop and in doing so failed to meet his duty” under the collective bargaining agreement. The issue was how the enhanced personal conduct policy (which increases a suspension for players involved with domestic violence from two games to six games) was applied in Peterson’s case. Because this policy was implemented after the injuries occurred to Peterson’s son, the NFLPA argued that the prior standard of punishment should apply. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith says in a statement that the decision is a “victory for the rule of law, due process and fairness.”
Our collective bargaining agreement has rules for implementation of the personal conduct policy and when those rules are violated, our union always stands up to protect our players’ rights. This is yet another example why neutral arbitration is good for our players, good for the owners and good for our game.
Court orders compensation
A New York federal court has ordered compensation of $219 million from the PLO and Palestine Authority for victims of attacks to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Hamas. Families of the victims demand compensation over shootings and bombings in 2002 to 2004 that had killed 33 people and injured over four hundred. Plaintiffs’ lawyer Nitsana Darshan-Leitner:
Now the PLO and the PA know there is a price for supporting terrorism.
The defendants announce that are seeking for appeal. Palestinian Deputy Information Minister, Mahmoud Khalifa:
Deeply disappointed by the adverse decision issued today in a New York court.
Capital murder conviction
A Texas jury rejects Routh’s insanity plea finding him guilty of capital murder in the deaths of Kyle and Littlefield. Judge Jason Cashon sentences Routh to life in prison without possiblity for parole. Littlefield’s mother, Judy Littlefield:
We’ve waited two years for God to get justice for us on behalf of our son and, as always, God has proved to be faithful. We’re so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight.
$10 million judgement
An arbitration panel in Texas orders Armstrong to pay prize-insurer SCA Promotions $10 million for lying under oath about doping. SCA’s president and founder Bob Hamman:
We are very pleased with this result. It is hard to describe how much harm Lance Armstrong’s web of lies caused SCA, but this is a good first start towards repairing that damage.