Special Prosecutor Could Take Action Against Jussie Smollett for Alleged Fake Attack
The Jussie Smollett story that’s clogged headlines over the past few months now has a new development, with a Chicago judge having reportedly requested the appointment of a special prosecutor.
The special prosecutor, per TMZ’s claims, will review the handling of the case and its eventual dismissal. In documents obtained by the publication, the judge in question noted that the special prosecutor “may take” action in the form of further prosecution if “reasonable grounds’ are determined to exist.
Legal documents excerpted in the report notably cite what the judge calls “unprecedented irregularities” in the increasingly confusing case.
Missouri Denies St. Louis Planned Parenthood Clinic License To Perform Abortions
The only abortion provider in Missouri has lost its license but the clinic’s future remains unclear as a court hearing is underway in St. Louis Friday morning.
Citing patient safety concerns, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Friday declined to renew a Planned Parenthood clinic’s license to perform abortions in St. Louis. Officials said some abortions were not performed properly and failed.
“While Gov. Parson and his political cronies are on the wrong side of history, nothing changes right now for patients who need access to abortion at Planned Parenthood,” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a physician at the clinic. “We will continue providing abortion care for as long as the court protects our ability to do so.”
McNicholas also said: “This decision signals the true motive behind this license renewal mess that has left patients in limbo, uncertain about their health care — to ban abortion without ever overturning Roe v. Wade. Shame on Gov. Parson and DHSS Director Randall Williams.”
Williams has scheduled a noon news conference in Jefferson City to discuss the case.
Supreme Court tosses murder conviction of black inmate
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is throwing out the murder conviction and death sentence for a black man in Mississippi because of a prosecutor’s efforts to keep African Americans off the jury. The defendant already has been tried six times and now could face a seventh trial.
The court’s 7-2 decision Friday says the removal of black prospective jurors violated the rights of inmate Curtis Flowers.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the court’s majority opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissented.
Roger Stone Violates His Gag Order Again, Federal Prosecutors Argue
In court filing, federal prosecutors allege that Roger Stone is violating the terms of his pre-trial release by commenting on social media about the legal case against him; ask judge to schedule a hearing to review Stone’s conditions of release – @PeteWilliamsNBC / @Tom_Winter
Georgia Supreme Court Denies Stay of Execution For Marion Wilson, Jr.
In a 7-to-1 decision, the Supreme Court of Georgia this afternoon has denied a stay of execution for Marion Wilson, Jr., who is scheduled to be put to death tonight at 7:00 p.m. by lethal injection. If executed, Wilson will become America’s 1,500th death row inmate executed since the death penalty was reinstated in America in 1976.
Reporter: Why do you think you can win this election?
Moore: Because I think I won the last election if it were not for the false tactics used by the Democratic operatives in Washington D.C. and the false information that was put out. pic.twitter.com/t2IJEE5Xbo
"I believe in America," Roy Moore said at his Senate campaign launch in Montgomery, Alabama.
"I fought for our country in Vietnam. I fought for our country in its laws as chief justice. I fought for morality to preserve our moral institutions. And I'm ready to do it again" pic.twitter.com/pEUxP1XA1r
McConnell-backed @Senate_Fund: "We believe most Alabama Republicans realize that nominating Roy Moore would be gift wrapping this Senate seat for Chuck Schumer." pic.twitter.com/HyINFWGeJS
The former GOP judge fell short in his 2017 race amid allegations of sexual misconduct in the 1970s, losing to Democrat Doug Jones in a solidly Republican state.
BREAKING: Boris Johnson to face Jeremy Hunt in the final stage in the race to become the next British prime minister
Johnson(right), Britain’s former foreign secretary, will now go head to head with Jeremy Hunt(left), the current foreign secretary, over the next month before Conservative Party members vote on which one of the two will become the next leader of the party and prime minister. A decision is expected the week beginning July 22nd.
Alabama’s Roy Moore Slated To Announce Senate Bid At 2 PM EDT Today
Alabama Republican Roy Moore will announce Thursday whether he will make another run for U.S. Senate after failing to win the seat two years ago amid sexual misconduct accusations.
Three people with direct knowledge of Moore’s thinking say they expect him to jump into the 2020 race. They requested anonymity to speak before Moore’s announcement and noted the former judge has been unpredictable and could decide at the last minute not to run. For the full story, click here.
9/11 First Responder Who Testified With Jon Stewart At Congressional Hearing Enters Hospice Care
A retired New York Police Department detective who has suffered from cancer linked to his heroic efforts during the Sept. 11th attacks, says he has started hospice care.
Luis Alvarez, a former NYPD bomb squad detective and military veteran, shared the sad update on his Facebook page Wednesday.
Supreme Court rules giant cross to veterans on public land is not a gov’t endorsement of religion
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a huge concrete cross can stay on public land in suburban Washington, D.C., rejecting a claim that its presence is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.
The court, reversing a lower court, said such monuments are essentially historic, not religious, a ruling that potentially extended protection to hundreds of similar tributes nationwide.
The decision was a victory for defenders of the Peace Cross, a 40-foot-tall structure that has stood for more than 90 years in Bladensburg, Maryland. It was built with private funds to honor 49 servicemen from the region who died in World War I.
Malaysian Prime Minister accuses Russia of being scapegoated for the shooting down of doomed Flight MH17
PM Mahathir Mohamad noted that the investigation into the crash of MH17 was set out to blame Russia from the start and wasn’t fairly handled. 3 Russians and 1 Ukrainian are set to face murder charges over the 298 deaths aboard the doomed flight.
Special Prosecutor Could Take Action Against Jussie Smollett for Alleged Fake Attack
The Jussie Smollett story that’s clogged headlines over the past few months now has a new development, with a Chicago judge having reportedly requested the appointment of a special prosecutor.
The special prosecutor, per TMZ’s claims, will review the handling of the case and its eventual dismissal. In documents obtained by the publication, the judge in question noted that the special prosecutor “may take” action in the form of further prosecution if “reasonable grounds’ are determined to exist.
Legal documents excerpted in the report notably cite what the judge calls “unprecedented irregularities” in the increasingly confusing case.
Source: Complex
Missouri Denies St. Louis Planned Parenthood Clinic License To Perform Abortions
The only abortion provider in Missouri has lost its license but the clinic’s future remains unclear as a court hearing is underway in St. Louis Friday morning.
Citing patient safety concerns, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Friday declined to renew a Planned Parenthood clinic’s license to perform abortions in St. Louis. Officials said some abortions were not performed properly and failed.
“While Gov. Parson and his political cronies are on the wrong side of history, nothing changes right now for patients who need access to abortion at Planned Parenthood,” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a physician at the clinic. “We will continue providing abortion care for as long as the court protects our ability to do so.”
McNicholas also said: “This decision signals the true motive behind this license renewal mess that has left patients in limbo, uncertain about their health care — to ban abortion without ever overturning Roe v. Wade. Shame on Gov. Parson and DHSS Director Randall Williams.”
Williams has scheduled a noon news conference in Jefferson City to discuss the case.
Source: St. Louis Public Radio
For full information, click here.
Supreme Court tosses murder conviction of black inmate
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is throwing out the murder conviction and death sentence for a black man in Mississippi because of a prosecutor’s efforts to keep African Americans off the jury. The defendant already has been tried six times and now could face a seventh trial.
The court’s 7-2 decision Friday says the removal of black prospective jurors violated the rights of inmate Curtis Flowers.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the court’s majority opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissented.
Roger Stone Violates His Gag Order Again, Federal Prosecutors Argue
The court filing is here.
More info TK.
Georgia Supreme Court Denies Stay of Execution For Marion Wilson, Jr.
In a 7-to-1 decision, the Supreme Court of Georgia this afternoon has denied a stay of execution for Marion Wilson, Jr., who is scheduled to be put to death tonight at 7:00 p.m. by lethal injection. If executed, Wilson will become America’s 1,500th death row inmate executed since the death penalty was reinstated in America in 1976.
Source: Tony Thomas, WSBTV
Importance: ★★
More on Roy Moore
Roy Moore Is Running For US Senate
The former GOP judge fell short in his 2017 race amid allegations of sexual misconduct in the 1970s, losing to Democrat Doug Jones in a solidly Republican state.
Source: Washington Post
Importance: ★
BREAKING: Boris Johnson to face Jeremy Hunt in the final stage in the race to become the next British prime minister
Johnson(right), Britain’s former foreign secretary, will now go head to head with Jeremy Hunt(left), the current foreign secretary, over the next month before Conservative Party members vote on which one of the two will become the next leader of the party and prime minister. A decision is expected the week beginning July 22nd.
Source: Washington Post
Importance: ★★
Alabama’s Roy Moore Slated To Announce Senate Bid At 2 PM EDT Today
Alabama Republican Roy Moore will announce Thursday whether he will make another run for U.S. Senate after failing to win the seat two years ago amid sexual misconduct accusations.
Three people with direct knowledge of Moore’s thinking say they expect him to jump into the 2020 race. They requested anonymity to speak before Moore’s announcement and noted the former judge has been unpredictable and could decide at the last minute not to run. For the full story, click here.
Source: Time
Importance: ★★
9/11 First Responder Who Testified With Jon Stewart At Congressional Hearing Enters Hospice Care
A retired New York Police Department detective who has suffered from cancer linked to his heroic efforts during the Sept. 11th attacks, says he has started hospice care.
Luis Alvarez, a former NYPD bomb squad detective and military veteran, shared the sad update on his Facebook page Wednesday.
Source: KMBC
Importance: ★★
Supreme Court rules giant cross to veterans on public land is not a gov’t endorsement of religion
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a huge concrete cross can stay on public land in suburban Washington, D.C., rejecting a claim that its presence is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.
The court, reversing a lower court, said such monuments are essentially historic, not religious, a ruling that potentially extended protection to hundreds of similar tributes nationwide.
The decision was a victory for defenders of the Peace Cross, a 40-foot-tall structure that has stood for more than 90 years in Bladensburg, Maryland. It was built with private funds to honor 49 servicemen from the region who died in World War I.
Source: NBC News
Importance: ★★
Malaysian Prime Minister accuses Russia of being scapegoated for the shooting down of doomed Flight MH17
PM Mahathir Mohamad noted that the investigation into the crash of MH17 was set out to blame Russia from the start and wasn’t fairly handled. 3 Russians and 1 Ukrainian are set to face murder charges over the 298 deaths aboard the doomed flight.
Source: Reuters
Importance: ★
U.S. military drone was shot down over international airspace by an Iranian missile per US official
The official noted that the drone was a U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton. No other details were immediately available, including the time of the shoot-down.
Source: Reuters
Importance: ★★