Legal news covering major trials, court decisions, federal courts, appellate rulings, and notable cases in the American judicial system.
Judge Gregory Carro held a sealed virtual proceeding in Luigi Mangione's state case, barring media from addressing the court. A lawyer for news organizations was ignored and hung up on. The case was adjourned to June 16 for a physical appearance, with trial set for Sept. 8 in Manhattan.
US artist Wyland filed a $25m lawsuit against FIFA and others for painting over his 1,580-square-meter whale mural in Dallas to promote the 2026 World Cup. FIFA stated it has no involvement and referred inquiries to the local organizing committee, while the building's management said local organizers requested the wall space and claimed Wyland had been notified.
The Amsterdam District Court allowed Greenpeace's anti-intimidation lawsuit to proceed, blocking a $345 million award from a North Dakota jury over Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Greenpeace accused Energy Transfer of silencing free speech.
Curtis Lee Ervin, freed in August 2025 after 39 years in custody, is suing Alameda County for $290 million. The lawsuit alleges the county systematically excluded Black jurors from his murder trial, continuing an unconstitutional policy dating to the 1980s.
Tennessee judge William Goodman III denied a request to reduce Dalton Eatherly's $1 million bond on June 3, despite YouTuber Alex Rosen offering $100,000. The judge imposed a curfew if released and expressed concerns about Rosen's involvement. Eatherly faces attempted murder and other charges from a May 13 courthouse shooting.
A jury found Rebecca Grossman and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson liable for the deaths of two boys in a 2020 crash, awarding $176 million in damages. The jury also found malice and oppression, allowing for potential punitive damages. Grossman is already serving 15 years to life for second-degree murder.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Lighthiser v. Trump, a youth climate suit challenging three Trump executive orders boosting fossil fuels. The panel ruled that granting relief would require improper judicial supervision of executive energy policy, citing the similar Juliana case as precedent.
Immigration Judge Amy Lee ordered the deportation of Levi Mendez-Maldonado, a Honduran immigrant murdered in 2024, despite being informed of his death. The judge deemed police records insufficient proof and proceeded with the hearing, issuing a removal order without acknowledging his death.
Los Angeles authorities are reviewing additional sexual assault allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, with the LAPD and LASD each presenting a separate investigation to the DA's office. Record producer Jonathan Hay publicly identified himself as the accuser, alleging assault, harassment, false imprisonment, and emotional distress from a 2020 incident. Combs is currently serving a 50-month federal sentence for prostitution-related charges.
John McGowan-Fazakerley told Preston Crown Court he believed co-accused Jamie Varley's claim that their adopted son Preston Davey drowned, but a post-mortem ruled out drowning and found 40 injuries. He said his trust was 'misplaced' and only realized the prosecution case while on remand.