Lawyer for ex-NFL star Hernandez calls murder witness a liar
BOSTON (Reuters) – An attorney for former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez on Thursday challenged prosecutors’ case that his client had shot dead two men outside a Boston nightclub in 2012, and said all aspects of the prosecution’s case, from…
Octogenarian tied to Boston art heist to plead guilty to gun charge
(Reuters) – An 81-year-old accused mobster who prosecutors believe knows the whereabouts of paintings stolen in the largest art heist in U.S. history is due in a Connecticut courtroom on Thursday to plead guilty to charges related to an illegal gun sal…
Conservatives attack proposed U.S. border tax
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Conservative activist groups that generally support Republicans but oppose a pro-export, anti-import Republican tax proposal, released a study on Thursday estimating its impact on individual U.S. states, underscoring the party’s …
Mexican drug lord Beltran Leyva sentenced to life in U.S. prison
(Reuters) – A former leader of the Beltran Leyva Mexican drug-trafficking cartel that bears his name was sentenced on Wednesday to life in a U.S. prison for participating in an international narcotics trafficking conspiracy, the Justice Department said…
Florida legislature poised to bolster ‘Stand Your Ground’ law
(Reuters) – Florida lawmakers advanced a measure on Wednesday that could make it easier to avoid prosecution in deadly shootings and other use-of-force cases by seeking immunity on self-defense grounds under the state’s pioneering “stand your ground” l…
Federal judge rules fair housing law protects Colorado LGBT couple
DENVER (Reuters) – A U.S. district judge ruled on Wednesday that a Colorado landlord’s refusal to rent a townhouse to a lesbian couple, one of whom is transgender, violates federal housing law, marking the second legal victory for LGBT people in as many days.
New York, other states challenge Trump over climate change regulation
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A coalition of 17 U.S. states filed a legal challenge on Wednesday against efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to roll back climate change regulations, deepening a political rift over his emerging energy policies.
Jury urged to convict Las Vegas gambler of insider trading
(Reuters) – A U.S. prosecutor on Wednesday urged jurors in Manhattan federal court to convict Las Vegas sports gambler William “Billy” Walters on insider trading charges, describing a pattern of “repeated conduct that can only be described as brazen.”
U.S. military leaders say budget woes will impact readiness
(Reuters) – U.S. military leaders told a congressional committee on Wednesday that their ability to prepare to counter adversaries such as Russia and China will be impaired if Congress does not provide certainty about their budgets.
Abortion rights activists rally at Texas Capitol against restrictions
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Hundreds of abortion rights activists rallied at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, saying a raft of proposed legislation placing restrictions on the procedure in the most populous Republican-controlled state would endanger milli…
