No Decision in the Case of the Covered Confederate Monument
The base of a Confederate monument in Linn Park will remain covered for now. Jefferson County Judge Mike Graffeo did not make a decision after hearing arguments from the City of Birmingham and the state Attorney General’s Office.
The state sued Birmingham last year, saying that the city violated the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act in 2017 by covering the base of the monument to Confederate Soldiers and Sailors. It also said Birmingham should pay a fine of $25,000 a day for that violation.
Birmingham argued that the city, at the direction of former Mayor William Bell, covered the monument to protect it, following an outbreak of violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, connected to controversy over Confederate Monuments. Lawyers also said the monument was offensive to many in Birmingham, a city whose population is 70 percent black.
Graffeo asked lawyers to present additional written arguments within the next month. He will make a ruling after reviewing the arguments.
Wisconsin judge’s case is rare but not unprecedented. There’s another near Boston
Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph was accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade authorities more than seven years ago. Her case is still unresolved.
Sean Combs trial: Cassie concludes four days of testimony
On Friday, Sean Combs' defense lawyers questioned Cassie Ventura about how much of the former couple's activities she willingly participated in. "I had to fight my way out," she said.
More than 100 Palestinians are killed in Gaza in a day of Israeli airstrikes
It has been a deadly week of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
DOJ may drop case against Boeing over deadly 737 Max crashes, despite families’ outrage
Boeing agreed last year to plead guilty to defrauding regulators after the crashes of two 737 Max jets, in 2018 and 2019, that killed 346 people. But a federal judge rejected that proposed plea deal.
ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan is on leave amid a sexual misconduct investigation
Facing allegations of sexual misconduct, Karim Khan has temporarily stepped aside as a U.N. investigation enters its final stage, the International Criminal Court announced Friday.
Supreme Court extends pause on deportations under Alien Enemies Act in Texas
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of immigrants in northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act. It said it's not directly addressing whether the invocation of the act was legal.
