courthousenews--2020-08-19--Feds Sued Over Refusal to List California Spotted Owl as Endangered

SAN JOSE , Calif. ( CN ) — A federal lawsuit filed by conservationists Tuesday seeks to hold the US Fish and Wildlife Service to account for failing to list the California spotted owl as endangered .
According to the 22-page complaint filed by Sierra Forest Legacy , Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity , the November 2019 decision to deny protection to the owl species was unlawful and unsupported by Fish and Wildlife ’ s own scientific assessment , which confirmed dramatic population declines in four out of five study areas .
The groups seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The California spotted owl is a medium-sized raptor found throughout mountainous and coastal regions of California .
Because they are not listed as either endangered or threatened , they receive no protection under the Endangered Species Act , despite having far lower population levels than other owl species that are currently protected .
Repeated pleas to afford them the same protection as other spotted owl species , most recently in 2015 , have fell on deaf ears .
“ The service has been steadfast in its refusal to do so , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Endangered Species Act is warranted , ” the environmentalists say in their lawsuit .
“ As a result of the service ’ s intransigence , California spotted owls are on a path to extinction .
In evaluating the recent petition to protect the California spotted owl , the service ’ s own scientific experts analyzed the best available science and concluded that in the foreseeable future , California spotted owls may be extirpated from large portions of their range.
” The Endangered Species Act was enacted by Congress in 1973 to provide “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved.
” Climate change , drought , tree mortality , high-severity fire and logging are all listed as threats currently facing the California spotted owl population , which Fish and Wildlife acknowledges will all continue unabated .
The species prefers to inhabit old-growth forests with large trees like the Douglas fir , multistoried canopies and dense canopy closure .
The U.S. Forest Service confirms that these old-growth forests have declined by as much as 90 % in the Sierra Nevada range from their historical conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public land in the Sierra Nevada has declined since the 1900s , but “ fuel reduction ” efforts intended to stem the rising tide of wild fires have continued to take their toll on the owls ’ habitat .
“ For far too long , the California spotted owl has been caught in political crosshairs , while its populations steadily decline , ” said Pamela Vlick , California program director for the group Defenders of Wildlife , in a statement .
“ Without federal protections to stem habitat loss and prevent forest mismanagement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a path towards extinction .
Defenders will continue to fight in court to save this species and the old forests these owls need to survive.
” “ This iconic species needs the protection provided by the Endangered Species Act if it is to survive , ” adds Elizabeth Forsyth , staff attorney at Earthjustice ’ s Los Angeles office .
“ The Fish and Wildlife Service ’ s own assessment shows the threats to the California spotted owl ’ s survival are increasing dramatically and that , without protection , the California spotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large portions of its range.
” Conservationists have for years used the spotted owls ’ threatened listing to combat logging projects across the West Coast .
The timber industry has been on the defensive since the 1990s , with several of its projects being denied by authorities for the risk posed to the bird .
“ Despite 20 years of scientific data showing that California spotted owl populations are declining , the FWS once again caved to pressure from federal agencies and the timber industry by not listing this species , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest Legacy .
“ Our only recourse to save this species is to hold the agency accountable for ignoring the scientific data that supports listing.
” The groups seek a court finding that the service ’ s decision to not list the spotted owl was illegal , and an order to reassess within six months .
Representatives for Fish and Wildlife did not respond to a request for comment before publication time .

A federal lawsuit filed by conservationists Tuesday seeks to hold the US Fish and Wildlife Service to account for failing to list the California spotted owl as endangered.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (CN) — A federal lawsuit filed by conservationists Tuesday seeks to hold the US Fish and Wildlife Service to account for failing to list the California spotted owl as endangered.
According to the 22-page complaint filed by Sierra Forest Legacy, Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity, the November 2019 decision to deny protection to the owl species was unlawful and unsupported by Fish and Wildlife’s own scientific assessment, which confirmed dramatic population declines in four out of five study areas. The groups seek to have the decision declared arbitrary and reversed.
The California spotted owl is a medium-sized raptor found throughout mountainous and coastal regions of California. Because they are not listed as either endangered or threatened, they receive no protection under the Endangered Species Act, despite having far lower population levels than other owl species that are currently protected. Repeated pleas to afford them the same protection as other spotted owl species, most recently in 2015, have fell on deaf ears.
“The service has been steadfast in its refusal to do so, despite overwhelming scientific evidence that protection under the Endangered Species Act is warranted,” the environmentalists say in their lawsuit. “As a result of the service’s intransigence, California spotted owls are on a path to extinction. In evaluating the recent petition to protect the California spotted owl, the service’s own scientific experts analyzed the best available science and concluded that in the foreseeable future, California spotted owls may be extirpated from large portions of their range.”
The Endangered Species Act was enacted by Congress in 1973 to provide “a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved.” Climate change, drought, tree mortality, high-severity fire and logging are all listed as threats currently facing the California spotted owl population, which Fish and Wildlife acknowledges will all continue unabated.
The species prefers to inhabit old-growth forests with large trees like the Douglas fir, multistoried canopies and dense canopy closure. The U.S. Forest Service confirms that these old-growth forests have declined by as much as 90% in the Sierra Nevada range from their historical conditions. The amount of commercial logging on public land in the Sierra Nevada has declined since the 1900s, but “fuel reduction” efforts intended to stem the rising tide of wild fires have continued to take their toll on the owls’ habitat.
“For far too long, the California spotted owl has been caught in political crosshairs, while its populations steadily decline,” said Pamela Flick, California program director for the group Defenders of Wildlife, in a statement. “Without federal protections to stem habitat loss and prevent forest mismanagement, the owl will likely remain on a path towards extinction. Defenders will continue to fight in court to save this species and the old forests these owls need to survive.”
Co-plaintiff Earthjustice agreed.
“This iconic species needs the protection provided by the Endangered Species Act if it is to survive,” adds Elizabeth Forsyth, staff attorney at Earthjustice’s Los Angeles office. “The Fish and Wildlife Service’s own assessment shows the threats to the California spotted owl’s survival are increasing dramatically and that, without protection, the California spotted owl will likely be wiped out from large portions of its range.”
Conservationists have for years used the spotted owls’ threatened listing to combat logging projects across the West Coast. The timber industry has been on the defensive since the 1990s, with several of its projects being denied by authorities for the risk posed to the bird.
“Despite 20 years of scientific data showing that California spotted owl populations are declining, the FWS once again caved to pressure from federal agencies and the timber industry by not listing this species,” said Susan Britting, executive director of Sierra Forest Legacy. “Our only recourse to save this species is to hold the agency accountable for ignoring the scientific data that supports listing.”
The groups seek a court finding that the service’s decision to not list the spotted owl was illegal, and an order to reassess within six months.
Representatives for Fish and Wildlife did not respond to a request for comment before publication time.


courthousenews--2020-08-18--States Ask Judge to Block DeVos Plan to Send Covid Aid to Private Schools

SAN FRANCISCO ( CN ) — Accusing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos of being a “ Reverse Robin Hood , ” a Michigan deputy attorney general urged a federal judge Tuesday to block the Education Department ’ s plan for diverting pandemic relief funds from public to private schools .
“ Secretary DeVos pulls a reverse Robin Hood , taking from the poor and giving to the rich , ” Michigan Assistant Attorney General Neil Giovanatti argued in a virtual court hearing Tuesday .
Joined by seven states , four school districts and the District of Columbia , Michigan sued DeVos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that directs local public education agencies to dole out emergency funds to private schools based on the number of students at each school , rather than the traditional Title I formula based on the number of low-income students at risk of poor academic performance in each private school .
Congress and President Donald Trump approved the $ 2 trillion CARES Act in late March and set aside nearly $ 31 billion for education , including $ 16 billion for K-12 learning .
The plaintiffs argue DeVos lacks authority to issue a rule dictating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They say the rule defies the will of Congress and will result in public schools losing over $ 150 million in emergency coronavirus relief aid .
Defending the Education Department ’ s policy , Justice Department lawyer William Kerwin Lane III argued the rule comports with Congress ’ s mandate that funds be equitably distributed to both public and private schools .
Congress directed the Education Department to distribute funds “ in the same manner ” as Title I formula grants , created by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dole out CARES Act funding would contradict Congress ’ s command that the funding be provided equitably to all schools , Lane argued .
“ Congress made clear that emergency funds were to be made available to both public and private schools , ” Lane said .
U.S. District Judge James Donato did not buy arguments that the CARES Act was unclear on how the money should be allocated .
The law states that public school districts must provide funding to private schools “ in the same manner ” as that specified for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambiguous about that ?
” Donato asked .
“ I ’ m having trouble figuring out how that is unclear in any way.
” Donato further noted that Congress usually makes it obvious when it wants the executive branch to issue rules based on its laws .
“ You know when Congress wants the secretary to do rule-making , it invites the secretary to do so , ” Donato said .
Lane replied that other federal laws give the secretary broad rule-making authority , especially when such rules are needed to clear up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spent in a certain way through a formula grant , ” Lane said .
“ That has to be interpreted.
” Turning to the issue of irreparable harm , Giovanatti said public schools are in a far worse position than private schools at this time .
Public schools are struggling to pay for protective gear and enhanced cleaning for classrooms and school buses .
They also need to provide technology to low-income students for distance learning .
These efforts are necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19 and support public health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of funding for public schools to meet those demands justifies the need for a preliminary injunction , he argued .
Unlike public schools , private schools are also eligible to receive forgivable loans through the CARES Act ’ s Paycheck Protection Program for private businesses , giving them an alternative path to get relief , which many have successfully obtained , Giovanatti said .
“ PP Program provides significant funding to private schools that public schools do not have access to , ” he insisted .
Lane countered that public schools also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital — taxpayer funds .
“ A private school parent may decide not to pay tuition , ” Lane said .
“ A public school parent can ’ t decide not to pay taxes .
There is more support in some ways for public schools.
” Lane closed by saying the department does not seek to benefit private schools at the expense of public schools .
Rather , it seeks to ensure that fair and equitable relief is provided to benefit children at all schools , regardless of whether they are public or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , Donato took the arguments under submission .
California , Maine , New Mexico , Wisconsin , Hawaii , Maryland , Pennsylvania , the New York City Board of Education , Chicago Board of Education , Cleveland Board of Education and San Francisco Unified School District joined Michigan and the District of Columbia as plaintiffs in the lawsuit .

Accusing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos of being a “Reverse Robin Hood,” a Michigan deputy attorney general urged a federal judge Tuesday to block the Education Department’s plan for diverting pandemic relief funds from public to private schools.
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — Accusing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos of being a “Reverse Robin Hood,” a Michigan deputy attorney general urged a federal judge Tuesday to block the Education Department’s plan for diverting pandemic relief funds from public to private schools.
“Secretary DeVos pulls a reverse Robin Hood, taking from the poor and giving to the rich,” Michigan Assistant Attorney General Neil Giovanatti argued in a virtual court hearing Tuesday.
Joined by seven states, four school districts and the District of Columbia, Michigan sued DeVos last month over a July 1 rule that directs local public education agencies to dole out emergency funds to private schools based on the number of students at each school, rather than the traditional Title I formula based on the number of low-income students at risk of poor academic performance in each private school.
Congress and President Donald Trump approved the $2 trillion CARES Act in late March and set aside nearly $31 billion for education, including $16 billion for K-12 learning.
The plaintiffs argue DeVos lacks authority to issue a rule dictating how the money should be allocated. They say the rule defies the will of Congress and will result in public schools losing over $150 million in emergency coronavirus relief aid.
Defending the Education Department’s policy, Justice Department lawyer William Kerwin Lane III argued the rule comports with Congress’s mandate that funds be equitably distributed to both public and private schools.
Congress directed the Education Department to distribute funds “in the same manner” as Title I formula grants, created by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
But using the Title I formula to dole out CARES Act funding would contradict Congress’s command that the funding be provided equitably to all schools, Lane argued.
“Congress made clear that emergency funds were to be made available to both public and private schools,” Lane said.
U.S. District Judge James Donato did not buy arguments that the CARES Act was unclear on how the money should be allocated. The law states that public school districts must provide funding to private schools “in the same manner” as that specified for Title I.
“What’s ambiguous about that?” Donato asked. “I’m having trouble figuring out how that is unclear in any way.”
Donato further noted that Congress usually makes it obvious when it wants the executive branch to issue rules based on its laws.
“You know when Congress wants the secretary to do rule-making, it invites the secretary to do so,” Donato said.
Lane replied that other federal laws give the secretary broad rule-making authority, especially when such rules are needed to clear up ambiguities.
“The funds have to be spent in a certain way through a formula grant,” Lane said. “That has to be interpreted.”
Turning to the issue of irreparable harm, Giovanatti said public schools are in a far worse position than private schools at this time. Public schools are struggling to pay for protective gear and enhanced cleaning for classrooms and school buses. They also need to provide technology to low-income students for distance learning. These efforts are necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19 and support public health and learning, he added. The dearth of funding for public schools to meet those demands justifies the need for a preliminary injunction, he argued.
Unlike public schools, private schools are also eligible to receive forgivable loans through the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program for private businesses, giving them an alternative path to get relief, which many have successfully obtained, Giovanatti said.
“PP Program provides significant funding to private schools that public schools do not have access to,” he insisted.
Lane countered that public schools also have exclusive access to a large source of capital — taxpayer funds.
“A private school parent may decide not to pay tuition,” Lane said. “A public school parent can’t decide not to pay taxes. There is more support in some ways for public schools.”
Lane closed by saying the department does not seek to benefit private schools at the expense of public schools. Rather, it seeks to ensure that fair and equitable relief is provided to benefit children at all schools, regardless of whether they are public or private.
After about an hour of debate, Donato took the arguments under submission.
California, Maine, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Maryland, Pennsylvania, the New York City Board of Education, Chicago Board of Education, Cleveland Board of Education and San Francisco Unified School District joined Michigan and the District of Columbia as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.


Top Eight

Your Tuesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including the postmaster general said operational changes in the U.S .
Postal Service will be put off until after the presidential election ; San Diego ’ s mayor signed an executive order allowing churches and gyms to operate for free at one of the city ’ s 340 parks ; The World Health Organization warned against “ vaccine nationalism , ” and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Attorneys general across the country are joining forces in a lawsuit over operational changes in the U.S .
Postal Service put forth by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , who said Tuesday those initiatives will be put off until after the presidential election .
2 . )
Democrats tackled how to court rural voters during a meeting of the Democratic National Convention ’ s Rural Council on Tuesday , emphasizing that rallying rural America behind Joe Biden will require key infrastructure investments and a legitimate ground game to meet voters where they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neglected storage of highly combustible ammonium nitrate caused a devastating explosion in Lebanon , six environmental groups urged the D.C .
Circuit on Tuesday to stop the United States from ushering in a new era of so-called bomb trains .
4 . )
Back to school this year in Southern California will be — like most other tasks during the era of the novel coronavirus — unprecedented .
5 . )
Calling being outdoors “ a birthright for every San Diegan , ” Mayor Kevin Faulconer Tuesday signed an executive order allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at one of the city ’ s 340 parks — the same day San Diego came off Governor Gavin Newsom ’ s Covid-19 watchlist .
6 . )
Despite President Donald Trump saying Monday that he fully approved Iowa ’ s request for $ 3.9 billion in disaster assistance following last week ’ s powerful wind storm , it is unclear how much money the state will actually receive .
7 . )
The World Health Organization warned against “ vaccine nationalism ” on Tuesday at a moment when the race to vaccinate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering a new combative phase after China joined Russia in declaring it has developed a vaccine against the virus .
8 . )
Fifteen years and nearly a billion dollars later , the Special Tribunal for Lebanon convicted one member of Hezbollah and acquitted three others Tuesday in the suicide bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri .

Top eight CNS stories for today including the postmaster general said operational changes in the U.S. Postal Service will be put off until after the presidential election; San Diego’s mayor signed an executive order allowing churches and gyms to operate for free at one of the city’s 340 parks; The World Health Organization warned against “vaccine nationalism,” and more.
Your Tuesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including the postmaster general said operational changes in the U.S. Postal Service will be put off until after the presidential election; San Diego’s mayor signed an executive order allowing churches and gyms to operate for free at one of the city’s 340 parks; The World Health Organization warned against “vaccine nationalism,” and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) Attorneys general across the country are joining forces in a lawsuit over operational changes in the U.S. Postal Service put forth by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who said Tuesday those initiatives will be put off until after the presidential election.
Voter places a ballot into a ballot drop off box in Aurora, Colorado on June 30. (Amanda Pampuro/Courthouse News)
2.) Democrats tackled how to court rural voters during a meeting of the Democratic National Convention’s Rural Council on Tuesday, emphasizing that rallying rural America behind Joe Biden will require key infrastructure investments and a legitimate ground game to meet voters where they are.
The rural Big Bend region of West Texas had zero confirmed coronavirus cases for weeks after the pandemic began. The number has inched into the double digits in recent days. (Courthouse News photo/Travis Bubenik)
3.) Two weeks after the neglected storage of highly combustible ammonium nitrate caused a devastating explosion in Lebanon, six environmental groups urged the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday to stop the United States from ushering in a new era of so-called bomb trains.
A liquefied natural gas export facility under construction near Quintana, Texas, in 2018. (Courthouse News photo/Travis Bubenik)
Regional
4.) Back to school this year in Southern California will be — like most other tasks during the era of the novel coronavirus — unprecedented.
Art teacher Cara Bailey attends a Utah Safe Schools Mask-In urging the governor's leadership in school reopening during a rally Thursday, July 23, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Parents and teachers rallied at the Utah State Capitol Thursday morning to urge schools to enforce mask wearing and to implement other safety policies recommended by health officials as the state prepares to reopen classrooms this fall. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
5.) Calling being outdoors “a birthright for every San Diegan,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer Tuesday signed an executive order allowing churches and gyms to operate for free at one of the city’s 340 parks — the same day San Diego came off Governor Gavin Newsom’s Covid-19 watchlist.
People keep their distance as they exercise outside of a closed La Jolla beach Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
6.) Despite President Donald Trump saying Monday that he fully approved Iowa’s request for $3.9 billion in disaster assistance following last week’s powerful wind storm, it is unclear how much money the state will actually receive.
A toy sits on a log as a woman moves branches from a fallen tree to the curb, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The storm that struck Monday morning left tens of thousands of Iowans without power as of Friday morning. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
International
7.) The World Health Organization warned against “vaccine nationalism” on Tuesday at a moment when the race to vaccinate world populations against the novel coronavirus is entering a new combative phase after China joined Russia in declaring it has developed a vaccine against the virus.
People wearing protective face masks to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus walk by human sculptures on display outside an art gallery in Beijing, Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The Chinese city of Wuhan that was the original epicenter of the pandemic again reported no new coronavirus cases or deaths Tuesday and its hospitals remained empty of virus patients for a second straight day. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
8.) Fifteen years and nearly a billion dollars later, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon convicted one member of Hezbollah and acquitted three others Tuesday in the suicide bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.


courthousenews--2020-08-18--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

Aug. 13 , 2020 : Order regarding coming to court if sick or exposed Aug. 14 , 2020 : Extension @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanor matters

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courthousenews--2020-08-18--Cult and Sex Ring Weren’t Synonymous, Heiress in NXIVM Case Insists

BROOKLYN , N.Y. ( CN ) — Over a year after her guilty plea helped take down NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere , the heiress to the Seagram ’ s liquor empire fought Tuesday against the government ’ s characterization of her as having bankrolled what was essentially a pyramid scheme with sex slaves .
Clare Bronfman pleaded guilty in April 2019 to counts of conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification .
Ahead of her sentencing next month , however , Bronfman ’ s lawyers want to distinguish the conduct of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the NXIVM ( pronounced Nexium ) conspiracy detailed in the government ’ s presentence report .
“ The PSR makes sweeping , unsupported and unsupportable claims that Ms. Bronfman ‘ funded ’ crimes for which was not charge and for which she did not enter a plea , ” lawyer Ronald Sullivan wrote last week in a letter to the court .
Back in 2018 , Bronfman was one of five women in NXIVM who were charged alongside Raniere after the cult leader ’ s arrest in Mexico .
All of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allison Mack , NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell , and mother-daughter duo Nancy and Lauren Salzman — pleaded guilty , setting the stage for a slam-dunk trial in Brooklyn last year of the man whom prosecutors called a “ modern-day Svengali.
” Raniere was found guilty on all counts , including sex trafficking , forced labor and wire fraud .
Though his NXIVM group was promoted as an international professional-development organization , Raniere was accused of having created a pyramid sex-slavery scheme within that structure called “ DOS ” or “ The Vow.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Lauren Salzman who recruited other women as sex “ slaves ” for Raniere .
Prosecutors showed how these women were branded with Raniere ’ s initials on their pubic lines and kept in captivity thanks to collateral , including compromising images they provided upon joining .
Sullivan ’ s letter cites “ real concerns , based on the PSR and informal conversations with the government , that what has come to light thus far and what the government may seek to argue at sentencing does not adequately explain Clare ’ s role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material misimpressions as well as outright inaccuracies and unsupported allegations of fact.
” “ All we ask is that Clare Bronfman be sentenced for what she actually did , and not based on what she did not do , notwithstanding uncorroborated allegations and innuendo to the contrary.
” Sullivan requests that the court hold a Fatico hearing , wherein the judge can determine whether a defendant ’ s punishment should factor in allegations in a government sentencing memorandum that are disputed by the defense .
Such a hearing , Sullivan argues , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society ” totally separate from Bronfman ’ s involvement with NXIVM , and that she did not knowingly fund any “ sex cult ” or facilitate sex trafficking .
During a videoconference Tuesday afternoon , U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis reserved a decision on holding a Fatico hearing until the parties submit papers on the presentence report next month .
“ If we do have a Fatico hearing , it will be focused and limited in scope , ” Garaufis said during the 30-minute remote hearing .
“ The court went through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence and testimony in that case reflected on your client , ” the judge explained .
“ To the extent that the PSR may be inaccurate as to your client ’ s involvement in these activities , we can then move ahead to a Fatico hearing .
And it would seem that we ’ re not there yet but we may get there.
” Attorneys for the government said that Bronfman ’ s counsel has not identified any factual disputes in provisions of the presentence report that would be resolved by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that counsel is saying Ms. Bronfman didn ’ t provide financial support to Raniere , that can be solved with bank records that clearly demonstrate that she did , ” Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar said at the hearing .
“ To the extent that counsel is actually saying that Clare Bronfman didn ’ t knowingly provide financial support to an exploiter or abuser of women , that ’ s an argument that they can make to your honor at sentencing , ” Hajjar added .
“ There ’ s no fact there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fatico hearing.
” Judge Garaufis , a Clinton appointee , said that if he did grant a Fatico hearing , Bronfman would have to take the stand as a witness .
“ I ’ m not going to just deal with what Ms. Bronfman is thinking through her mother or her sister or some friend out in Fiji , she ’ s going have to do it herself , ” he said .
“ You ’ re not going to slip through the hearing process by just bringing along people who knew Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That just won ’ t work.
” Bronfman , who was present on the videoconference Tuesday afternoon , has been kept on house arrest , under $ 100 million bond , since her 2018 arrest .
Prosecutors have estimated that the heiress faces 21 to 27 months in prison — though she faces a maximum of 25 years — and will owe about $ 96,000 in restitution payments to a victim identified only as Jane Doe 12 .
As part of her guilty plea , she also agreed to forfeit $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to facilitate the harboring charge .
She is set to be sentenced on Sept. 30 at 11 a.m .

Over a year after her guilty plea helped take down NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, the heiress to the Seagram’s liquor empire fought Tuesday against the government’s characterization of her as having bankrolled what was essentially a pyramid scheme with sex slaves.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CN) — Over a year after her guilty plea helped take down NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, the heiress to the Seagram’s liquor empire fought Tuesday against the government’s characterization of her as having bankrolled what was essentially a pyramid scheme with sex slaves.
Clare Bronfman pleaded guilty in April 2019 to counts of conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification. Ahead of her sentencing next month, however, Bronfman’s lawyers want to distinguish the conduct of her plea counts from the lurid aspects of the NXIVM (pronounced Nexium) conspiracy detailed in the government’s presentence report.
"The PSR (presentencing report) makes sweeping, unsupported and unsupportable claims that Ms. Bronfman 'funded' crimes for which was not charge and for which she did not enter a plea,” lawyer Ronald Sullivan wrote last week in a letter to the court.
Back in 2018, Bronfman was one of five women in NXIVM who were charged alongside Raniere after the cult leader’s arrest in Mexico. All of them — Bronfman, “Smallville” actress Allison Mack, NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell, and mother-daughter duo Nancy and Lauren Salzman — pleaded guilty, setting the stage for a slam-dunk trial in Brooklyn last year of the man whom prosecutors called a “modern-day Svengali.”
Raniere was found guilty on all counts, including sex trafficking, forced labor and wire fraud. Though his NXIVM group was promoted as an international professional-development organization, Raniere was accused of having created a pyramid sex-slavery scheme within that structure called “DOS” or “The Vow.”
In DOS there were “masters” like Lauren Salzman who recruited other women as sex “slaves” for Raniere. Prosecutors showed how these women were branded with Raniere’s initials on their pubic lines and kept in captivity thanks to collateral, including compromising images they provided upon joining.
Sullivan’s letter cites “real concerns, based on the PSR and informal conversations with the government, that what has come to light thus far and what the government may seek to argue at sentencing does not adequately explain Clare's role and leaves behind an unfortunate number of material misimpressions as well as outright inaccuracies and unsupported allegations of fact.”
"All we ask is that Clare Bronfman be sentenced for what she actually did, and not based on what she did not do, notwithstanding uncorroborated allegations and innuendo to the contrary.”
Sullivan requests that the court hold a Fatico hearing, wherein the judge can determine whether a defendant’s punishment should factor in allegations in a government sentencing memorandum that are disputed by the defense.
Such a hearing, Sullivan argues, would show that DOS was a “secret society” totally separate from Bronfman’s involvement with NXIVM, and that she did not knowingly fund any “sex cult” or facilitate sex trafficking.
During a videoconference Tuesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis reserved a decision on holding a Fatico hearing until the parties submit papers on the presentence report next month.
“If we do have a Fatico hearing, it will be focused and limited in scope,” Garaufis said during the 30-minute remote hearing.
“The court went through a six-week trial with Raniere; much of the evidence and testimony in that case reflected on your client,” the judge explained. “To the extent that the PSR may be inaccurate as to your client's involvement in these activities, we can then move ahead to a Fatico hearing. And it would seem that we're not there yet but we may get there.”
Attorneys for the government said that Bronfman’s counsel has not identified any factual disputes in provisions of the presentence report that would be resolved by a Fatico hearing.
“To the extent that counsel is saying Ms. Bronfman didn’t provide financial support to Raniere, that can be solved with bank records that clearly demonstrate that she did,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar said at the hearing.
“To the extent that counsel is actually saying that Clare Bronfman didn’t knowingly provide financial support to an exploiter or abuser of women, that’s an argument that they can make to your honor at sentencing,” Hajjar added. “There’s no fact there that would be appropriately decided at a Fatico hearing.”
Judge Garaufis, a Clinton appointee, said that if he did grant a Fatico hearing, Bronfman would have to take the stand as a witness.
“I’m not going to just deal with what Ms. Bronfman is thinking through her mother or her sister or some friend out in Fiji, she's going have to do it herself,” he said.
“You’re not going to slip through the hearing process by just bringing along people who knew Ms. Bronfman,” the judge warned counsel. “That just won’t work.”
Bronfman, who was present on the videoconference Tuesday afternoon, has been kept on house arrest, under $100 million bond, since her 2018 arrest.
Prosecutors have estimated that the heiress faces 21 to 27 months in prison — though she faces a maximum of 25 years — and will owe about $96,000 in restitution payments to a victim identified only as Jane Doe 12.
As part of her guilty plea, she also agreed to forfeit $6 million based on the property used to facilitate the harboring charge.
She is set to be sentenced on Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.


courthousenews--2020-08-18--Ex-Cop Charged in Floyd Killing Points to History of Drug Use by Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS ( CN ) — An attorney for one of the three officers accused of aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd filed court papers attacking Floyd for drug use and saying that his client “ did nothing wrong.
” Attorney Earl Gray ’ s memorandum on behalf of now-fired Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane – filed Monday in response to prosecutor arguments and released Tuesday – begins with a rundown of Floyd ’ s arrest on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $ 20 bill at a corner store in Minneapolis ’ Powderhorn Park neighborhood .
Gray pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful opioid , and methamphetamine in Floyd ’ s blood and suggested that Floyd had eaten drugs in an attempt to conceal them from Lane and fellow officer J. Alexander Kueng .
“ Our post-motion filing investigation has revealed that Mr. Floyd was , as the officers had suspected , an addict .
He was worse than that , ” Gray wrote .
The attorney cited a 2019 narcotics arrest in which Floyd was a passenger in a car with unlicensed plates and a variety of pills and just over 20 grams of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cocaine .
In that arrest , Gray wrote , officers reported that Floyd had put something in his mouth .
Afterward , Gray said , Floyd admitted being addicted to opiates .
Gray also brought up that Floyd had three prior drug-related convictions and one in Texas for a 2007 robbery .
His claims to officers that he didn ’ t do anything wrong , Gray said , should not have been believed .
“ Mr .
Floyd ’ s willingness to deny chemical use , to announce his confusion , that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sic ] done so just a year earlier , to say he ‘ didn ’ t know what was going on , ’ that he said he was ‘ sorry ’ but not for what , ” Gray wrote , “ was all unbelievable , and the officers had every right to discount anything this man said.
” That included , the attorney said , Floyd ’ s pleas of “ I can ’ t breathe , ” which began some minutes before he was pinned to the ground .
Turning to Lane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his client and fellow officer Derek Chauvin had been acting in accordance with departmental training .
He cited a photo in the Minneapolis Police Department ’ s training manual showing a similar hold to the one Chauvin used on Floyd , in which he placed his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for some nine minutes .
“ The alleged Chauvin assault , the knee , was… encouraged , standard , not to be questioned , particularly by an officer who had finished his training that Wednesday , ” Gray wrote .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an ambulance and performing CPR , Lane behaved in a way “ inconsistent with a desire to aid and abet his death.
” Calling the state ’ s arguments “ a narrative fiction , ” Gray wrote simply : “ Officer Lane did nothing wrong.
” Audio of Lane ’ s interview with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was also released Tuesday .
The release was a first in Minnesota , where such proceedings are usually kept out of the public eye until after trial .
Filed alongside Lane ’ s motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s perspective on Floyd ’ s arrest , including Lane ’ s own speculations that Floyd was on drugs and his contention that he ’ d never seen a hold like the one Chauvin used , contrary to the memorandum ’ s claim that it was used in his training .
Members of Floyd ’ s family spoke to the Minneapolis Star Tribune to decry Gray ’ s motion Tuesday .
Floyd ’ s aunt , Angela Harrelson , said that her nephew ’ s drug use and past mistakes weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Regardless of his past , nothing justifies the way he died , ” Harrelson told the paper .
“ I just feel that to go after someone ’ s character to justify his death — I ’ m not pleased with that .
I ’ m not saying that he was a perfect person .
He made mistakes .
And he had a disease that he was working hard to fight against and it ’ s a tough disease to fight.
” “ What does that [ Floyd ’ s past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him down in the middle of the street … and killing him by cutting his air off ?
” Jones said .
“ You don ’ t ’ live in the past .
You live in the now .
And the now is three police officers restrained my nephew.
” Floyd ’ s family has a pending civil rights case against the city of Minneapolis and the four officers involved in Floyd ’ s arrest .
That case , filed in July , is still in its earliest stages .
Attorney General Keith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuting the case , declined to comment .
A spokesman said that “ we ’ re doing all of our speaking through our motions and in open court , ” and that the office would have “ something to say about it at the omnibus hearing on Sept. 11.
” Gray did not respond to a request to discuss the memorandum .

An attorney for one of the three officers accused of aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd filed court papers attacking Floyd for drug use and saying that his client “did nothing wrong.”
MINNEAPOLIS (CN) — An attorney for one of the three officers accused of aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd filed court papers attacking Floyd for drug use and saying that his client “did nothing wrong.”
Attorney Earl Gray’s memorandum on behalf of now-fired Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane – filed Monday in response to prosecutor arguments and released Tuesday – begins with a rundown of Floyd’s arrest on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a corner store in Minneapolis’ Powderhorn Park neighborhood.
Gray pointed to toxicology reports which found fentanyl, a powerful opioid, and methamphetamine in Floyd’s blood and suggested that Floyd had eaten drugs in an attempt to conceal them from Lane and fellow officer J. Alexander Kueng.
“Our post-motion filing investigation has revealed that Mr. Floyd was, as the officers had suspected, an addict. He was worse than that,” Gray wrote.
The attorney cited a 2019 narcotics arrest in which Floyd was a passenger in a car with unlicensed plates and a variety of pills and just over 20 grams of substances that a field test said was cocaine. In that arrest, Gray wrote, officers reported that Floyd had put something in his mouth. Afterward, Gray said, Floyd admitted being addicted to opiates.
Gray also brought up that Floyd had three prior drug-related convictions and one in Texas for a 2007 robbery. His claims to officers that he didn’t do anything wrong, Gray said, should not have been believed.
“Mr. Floyd’s willingness to deny chemical use, to announce his confusion, that he wasn’t resisting when he [sic] done so just a year earlier, to say he ‘didn’t know what was going on,’ that he said he was ‘sorry’ but not for what,” Gray wrote, “was all unbelievable, and the officers had every right to discount anything this man said.”
That included, the attorney said, Floyd’s pleas of “I can’t breathe,” which began some minutes before he was pinned to the ground.
Turning to Lane’s conduct, Gray argued that his client and fellow officer Derek Chauvin had been acting in accordance with departmental training. He cited a photo in the Minneapolis Police Department’s training manual showing a similar hold to the one Chauvin used on Floyd, in which he placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for some nine minutes.
“The alleged Chauvin assault, the knee, was… encouraged, standard, not to be questioned, particularly by an officer who had finished his training that Wednesday,” Gray wrote.
The attorney also pointed out that by calling for an ambulance and performing CPR, Lane behaved in a way “inconsistent with a desire to aid and abet his death.” Calling the state’s arguments “a narrative fiction,” Gray wrote simply: “Officer Lane did nothing wrong.”
Audio of Lane’s interview with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was also released Tuesday. The release was a first in Minnesota, where such proceedings are usually kept out of the public eye until after trial.
Filed alongside Lane’s motion to dismiss, the interview provides Lane’s perspective on Floyd’s arrest, including Lane’s own speculations that Floyd was on drugs and his contention that he’d never seen a hold like the one Chauvin used, contrary to the memorandum’s claim that it was used in his training.
Members of Floyd’s family spoke to the Minneapolis Star Tribune to decry Gray’s motion Tuesday. Floyd’s aunt, Angela Harrelson, said that her nephew’s drug use and past mistakes weren’t good reasons for him to die.
“Regardless of his past, nothing justifies the way he died,” Harrelson told the paper. “I just feel that to go after someone’s character to justify his death — I’m not pleased with that. I’m not saying that he was a perfect person. He made mistakes. And he had a disease that he was working hard to fight against and it’s a tough disease to fight.”
Floyd’s outspoken uncle, Selwyn Jones, agreed.
“What does that [Floyd’s past] got to do with them holding him down in the middle of the street … and killing him by cutting his air off?” Jones said. “You don’t’ live in the past. You live in the now. And the now is three police officers restrained my nephew.”
Floyd’s family has a pending civil rights case against the city of Minneapolis and the four officers involved in Floyd’s arrest. That case, filed in July, is still in its earliest stages.
Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment. A spokesman said that “we're doing all of our speaking through our motions and in open court,” and that the office would have “something to say about it at the omnibus hearing on Sept. 11.”
Gray did not respond to a request to discuss the memorandum.


courthousenews--2020-08-18--Golden State Killer Victims Face Their Tormentor: ‘The Devil Can Keep You Company’

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( CN ) — The women terrorized by confessed rapist and Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo could not see the face of the masked monster who attacked them .
But on Tuesday , they got to stare him down in court and finally have their say .
Kris Pedretti was only 15 when DeAngelo raped her just a few days before Christmas in 1976 .
“ The entire world knows who you are and what you did .
You will be forever known as a repulsive coward who hid behind a mask of evil , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you company in your prison cell as he gnaws away at whatever soul you have left , at whatever life you have left .
It brings me great satisfaction to see you in your assigned orange jumpsuit , powerless and handcuffed in all aspects of your miserable life.
” DeAngelo stalked the suburbs of eastern Sacramento for three years in the late 1970s , breaking into locked homes in the middle of the night or early morning hours .
Brandishing a gun or knife , he would tie up the occupants , isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rape her for hours as she lay helplessly bound , gagged , and blindfolded .
He would often help himself to food or beer , and to his victims ’ personal possessions .
“ He made himself comfortable in my home .
He stole my families ’ personal belongings as I lay helpless .
He told me over and over again he would kill me , and I believed him , ” Pedretti said .
“ At three different times that night , I thought I was going to die .
I sang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head as I waited to die.
” The next morning , she woke up grateful to have survived the night .
“ I woke up knowing I would never be a child again .
Although I was truly grateful to be alive , I also knew that I had died , ” she said .
Peggy Frink was also 15 when DeAngelo broke into her home and raped her in July 1976 , tying up she and her sister so tightly that their hands were numb for months afterward .
“ My God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living a normal life — going to school , church group , having friends over , ” she said .
“ Now this horrific experience was part of me .
My normal teenage years were gone.
” DeAngelo , now 74 , sat vacant-eyed and impassive at Tuesday ’ s hearing , wearing a cloth mask over his nose and mouth .
He was arrested in 2018 after a decades-long manhunt , and pleaded guilty in June to 13 counts of murder and 13 rape-related kidnapping for robbery charges .
He also admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento area , the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California , uncharged because of the expired statute of limitations .
The rape victims outside Sacramento will offer their victim statements Wednesday and the family and friends of DeAngelo ’ s murder victims will speak Thursday .
Judge Michael Bowman will sentence him Friday to life in prison .
“ The last pitiful years of his life ought to be spent in the worst prison that exists today , ” said Patti Cosper , just seven years old when DeAngelo snuck up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents ’ driveway in September 1976 , loading her car with a basket of clean laundry .
Cosper read a statement on her mother Patricia Murphy ’ s behalf .
“ That night forever changed me , ” Murphy wrote .
“ I never felt safe for many years .
I was always looking over my shoulder expecting someone to jump out at me.
” DeAngelo ’ s reign of terror has ended , but many of the women still struggle with the lingering trauma of the attacks .
Phyllis Henneman , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karen Veilleux , said she went from “ happy and carefree ” to “ fearful , suspicious and hyper-vigilant.
” “ Years of living like the this has adversely affected my health .
In 1976 , women were treated more like suspects than victims when it came to rape .
My sense of importance in this world diminished with this treatment , ” she said .
“ When I found out that this devil had been captured it brought about a rush of relief , but his capture brought back memories of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things he stole from me , what would happen next.
” For Sandy James , DeAngelo ’ s arrest brought up painful memories from 1977 of a community under siege .
“ This evil monster , whose name we all now know , terrorized our community — causing fear and anxiety for years , ” she said .
“ I remember my father buying deadbolt locks for all the doors and windows and searching the streets and around our home each night before bed .
Windows were no longer open to allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during summer months in Sacramento.
” James still remembers walking home from school and seeing cars patrolling the neighborhood for the “ East Area Rapist.
” The family German shepherd was her constant companion .
“ We were living in a horror movie every day , ” she said .
That horror movie became a reality when DeAngelo broke into James ’ sister Deborah Strauss ’ home and raped her on Oct. 29 , 1977 .
James said she was deeply saddened that her sister had died of cancer in 2016 before being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It would have been “ very healing ” for Deborah , she said , to be able to connect with other women who had survived his attacks .
“ Instead she went to her grave still haunted by the evil monster that invaded her life , ” James said .
“ His arrest brought about much pain and emotion as if it was happening again .
Though I ’ m happy for his arrest , I ’ ve begun a whole new cycle of grieving for my sister.
” Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal , ” longing for life as they knew it before they were raped .
Some blamed themselves for what happened , wondering why DeAngelo chose them .
Some kept it hidden out of shame .
“ What really happened became a dark secret that I kept buried , ” Murphy said .
“ I longed for things to go back to how they were .
I pretended life was fine .
But it wasn ’ t .
it was exhausting.
” “ This was in the seventies , a different time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things , ” James said .
“ I hold you , JJD — it ’ s hard to even say your name — responsible for my sister ’ s untimely death .
Debbie died of esophageal cancer , in the center for your throat , your chest , where you stifle your voice and hold deep , dark worries.
” Pedretti said she spent years feeling guilty and ashamed about what happened to her .
“ And yet it wasn ’ t my fault .
It was something that was done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ Through this experience I have learned how utterly important it is to be able to express out loud in some manner , whether verbally or in writing , that the shame belongs to the rapist , not the victim .
”

The women terrorized by confessed rapist and Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo could not see the face of the masked monster who attacked them. But on Tuesday, they got to stare him down in court and finally have their say.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — The women terrorized by confessed rapist and Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo could not see the face of the masked monster who attacked them. But on Tuesday, they got to stare him down in court and finally have their say.
Kris Pedretti was only 15 when DeAngelo raped her just a few days before Christmas in 1976. “The entire world knows who you are and what you did. You will be forever known as a repulsive coward who hid behind a mask of evil,” she said. “The devil can keep you company in your prison cell as he gnaws away at whatever soul you have left, at whatever life you have left. It brings me great satisfaction to see you in your assigned orange jumpsuit, powerless and handcuffed in all aspects of your miserable life.”
DeAngelo stalked the suburbs of eastern Sacramento for three years in the late 1970s, breaking into locked homes in the middle of the night or early morning hours. Brandishing a gun or knife, he would tie up the occupants, isolate a woman or teenage girl, then rape her for hours as she lay helplessly bound, gagged, and blindfolded. He would often help himself to food or beer, and to his victims’ personal possessions.
"He made himself comfortable in my home. He stole my families’ personal belongings as I lay helpless. He told me over and over again he would kill me, and I believed him,” Pedretti said. “At three different times that night, I thought I was going to die. I sang ‘Jesus Loves Me’ in my head as I waited to die.”
The next morning, she woke up grateful to have survived the night. “I woke up knowing I would never be a child again. Although I was truly grateful to be alive, I also knew that I had died,” she said.
Peggy Frink was also 15 when DeAngelo broke into her home and raped her in July 1976, tying up she and her sister so tightly that their hands were numb for months afterward.
“My God, we were just high school kids living a normal life — going to school, church group, having friends over,” she said. “Now this horrific experience was part of me. My normal teenage years were gone.”
DeAngelo, now 74, sat vacant-eyed and impassive at Tuesday’s hearing, wearing a cloth mask over his nose and mouth.
He was arrested in 2018 after a decades-long manhunt, and pleaded guilty in June to 13 counts of murder and 13 rape-related kidnapping for robbery charges. He also admitted to more than 50 rapes throughout the Sacramento area, the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California, uncharged because of the expired statute of limitations.
The rape victims outside Sacramento will offer their victim statements Wednesday and the family and friends of DeAngelo’s murder victims will speak Thursday. Judge Michael Bowman will sentence him Friday to life in prison.
"The last pitiful years of his life ought to be spent in the worst prison that exists today,” said Patti Cosper, just seven years old when DeAngelo snuck up on her mother as she stood in her parents’ driveway in September 1976, loading her car with a basket of clean laundry.
Cosper read a statement on her mother Patricia Murphy’s behalf. “That night forever changed me,” Murphy wrote. “I never felt safe for many years. I was always looking over my shoulder expecting someone to jump out at me.”
DeAngelo’s reign of terror has ended, but many of the women still struggle with the lingering trauma of the attacks.
Phyllis Henneman, whose impact statement was read by her sister Karen Veilleux, said she went from “happy and carefree” to “fearful, suspicious and hyper-vigilant.”
"Years of living like the this has adversely affected my health. In 1976, women were treated more like suspects than victims when it came to rape. My sense of importance in this world diminished with this treatment,” she said. “When I found out that this devil had been captured it brought about a rush of relief, but his capture brought back memories of the rape wondering what he did with the things he stole from me, what would happen next.”
For Sandy James, DeAngelo’s arrest brought up painful memories from 1977 of a community under siege.
“This evil monster, whose name we all now know, terrorized our community — causing fear and anxiety for years,” she said. “I remember my father buying deadbolt locks for all the doors and windows and searching the streets and around our home each night before bed. Windows were no longer open to allow the cool breezes in following long hot days during summer months in Sacramento.”
James still remembers walking home from school and seeing cars patrolling the neighborhood for the “East Area Rapist.” The family German shepherd was her constant companion.
“We were living in a horror movie every day,” she said.
That horror movie became a reality when DeAngelo broke into James’ sister Deborah Strauss’ home and raped her on Oct. 29, 1977.
James said she was deeply saddened that her sister had died of cancer in 2016 before being able to witness DeAngelo’s arrest. It would have been “very healing” for Deborah, she said, to be able to connect with other women who had survived his attacks.
“Instead she went to her grave still haunted by the evil monster that invaded her life,” James said. “His arrest brought about much pain and emotion as if it was happening again. Though I'm happy for his arrest, I've begun a whole new cycle of grieving for my sister.”
Some of the survivors tried to go on as “normal,” longing for life as they knew it before they were raped. Some blamed themselves for what happened, wondering why DeAngelo chose them. Some kept it hidden out of shame.
“What really happened became a dark secret that I kept buried,” Murphy said. “I longed for things to go back to how they were. I pretended life was fine. But it wasn't. it was exhausting.”
“This was in the seventies, a different time. We didn't really talk about these things,” James said.
“I hold you, JJD — it's hard to even say your name — responsible for my sister's untimely death. Debbie died of esophageal cancer, in the center for your throat, your chest, where you stifle your voice and hold deep, dark worries.”
Pedretti said she spent years feeling guilty and ashamed about what happened to her.
“And yet it wasn't my fault. It was something that was done to me, not because of me,” she said. "Through this experience I have learned how utterly important it is to be able to express out loud in some manner, whether verbally or in writing, that the shame belongs to the rapist, not the victim.”


courthousenews--2020-08-18--Texas Cities Defunding Police Could Face Freeze on Property Taxes

FORT WORTH , Texas ( CN ) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened Tuesday to block cities from raising property tax rates if they defund their police departments , taking aim at Austin officials who cut their police budget by a third last week and shifted the money to social programs .
Abbott was joined at a press conference in Fort Worth by Mayor Betsy Price , Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen , all fellow Republicans .
The governor said the proposed legislation will be an “ effective tool ” in deterring other Texas cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defunding the police puts Texans in danger and invites lawlessness .
“ Any city that defunds police departments will have its property tax revenue frozen at the current level , ” Abbott told reporters .
“ They will never be able to increase property tax revenue again if they defund police.
” Abbott ’ s threat comes one week after the 10-member Austin City Council unanimously voted to reduce the police department ’ s budget by $ 150 million through 2021 , with the money being moved to programs for mental health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partially raised through elimination of unfilled police jobs and academy cadet classes .
Calls for police reform and budget cuts for police departments have grown after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25 .
In June , New York City officials slashed $ 1 billion from the police department ’ s budget for the coming fiscal year .
Abbott repeated his calls for more police training in lieu of cutting police budgets , saying “ we don ’ t need fewer police , we need less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has largely echoed the wishes of police unions .
“ We need to take action to ensure that law enforcement officers are trained in ways in which they will not engage in police brutality , ” he said .
Austin City Council member Greg Casar quickly panned Abbott ’ s threat , stating “ a group off all-white members ” of state leadership “ attacked ” the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ The message from the tens of thousands of Austinites who made their voices heard in this year ’ s budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our over-reliance on police to handle all of our complex public safety challenges and instead reinvest in domestic violence shelters , mental health first responders and more , ” Casar said in a statement .
“ That ’ s what our City Council did , and it ’ s exactly the work we ’ re committed to continue.
” Casar implied Abbott is a hypocrite , stating the governor recently requested a 4 % cut to the budget of the Texas Department of Public Safety , “ which amounts to $ 50 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own immediate reallocation last week.
” Austin Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza dismissed Abbott ’ s announcement as “ staged political theater ” that the “ country is getting really tired ” of .
“ Policing is not the same thing as public safety , especially when we see continued and growing racial disparities in who gets targeted more often for arrests and searches , ” she said in a statement .
“ If the governor really cared about public safety , he would expand Medicaid ; he would invest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before our eyes ; he would have mandated masks earlier in this pandemic.
” Speaker Bonnen quickly fired back , tweeting that Austin Mayor Steve Adler is “ one of the most egregious and recent offenders of this political theater.
” He accused Adler of using police as a “ political prop to fit whatever narrative you are trying to peddle from year to year .
”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened Tuesday to block cities from raising property tax rates if they defund their police departments, taking aim at Austin officials who cut their police budget by a third last week and shifted the money to social programs.
FORT WORTH, Texas (CN) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened Tuesday to block cities from raising property tax rates if they defund their police departments, taking aim at Austin officials who cut their police budget by a third last week and shifted the money to social programs.
Abbott was joined at a press conference in Fort Worth by Mayor Betsy Price, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, all fellow Republicans. The governor said the proposed legislation will be an “effective tool” in deterring other Texas cities from cutting police budgets. He said defunding the police puts Texans in danger and invites lawlessness.
“Any city that defunds police departments will have its property tax revenue frozen at the current level,” Abbott told reporters. “They will never be able to increase property tax revenue again if they defund police.”
Abbott’s threat comes one week after the 10-member Austin City Council unanimously voted to reduce the police department’s budget by $150 million through 2021, with the money being moved to programs for mental health and drug addiction. The money will be partially raised through elimination of unfilled police jobs and academy cadet classes.
Calls for police reform and budget cuts for police departments have grown after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25. In June, New York City officials slashed $1 billion from the police department’s budget for the coming fiscal year.
Abbott repeated his calls for more police training in lieu of cutting police budgets, saying “we don’t need fewer police, we need less police brutality” – a position that has largely echoed the wishes of police unions.
“We need to take action to ensure that law enforcement officers are trained in ways in which they will not engage in police brutality,” he said.
Austin City Council member Greg Casar quickly panned Abbott’s threat, stating “a group off all-white members” of state leadership “attacked” the Black Lives Matter movement.
"The message from the tens of thousands of Austinites who made their voices heard in this year’s budget process was clear: We must decrease our over-reliance on police to handle all of our complex public safety challenges and instead reinvest in domestic violence shelters, mental health first responders and more,” Casar said in a statement. “That’s what our City Council did, and it’s exactly the work we’re committed to continue."
Casar implied Abbott is a hypocrite, stating the governor recently requested a 4% cut to the budget of the Texas Department of Public Safety, “which amounts to $50 million – more than double that of Austin’s own immediate reallocation last week.”
Austin Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza dismissed Abbott’s announcement as “staged political theater” that the “country is getting really tired” of.
"Policing is not the same thing as public safety, especially when we see continued and growing racial disparities in who gets targeted more often for arrests and searches," she said in a statement. “If the governor really cared about public safety, he would expand Medicaid; he would invest in our childcare infrastructure that is crumbling right before our eyes; he would have mandated masks earlier in this pandemic."
Speaker Bonnen quickly fired back, tweeting that Austin Mayor Steve Adler is “one of the most egregious and recent offenders of this political theater.” He accused Adler of using police as a “political prop to fit whatever narrative you are trying to peddle from year to year.”


courthousenews--2020-08-18--Record-Breaking Heat Fueling Wildfires Across California

( CN ) — The combination of wild weather and searing temperatures has sparked wildfires up and down the Golden State this week , prompting residents to flee their homes amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing threat of rolling blackouts across California ’ s maxed-out power grid .
Over the weekend , the agency responsible for the state ’ s power grid ordered widespread rolling blackouts that plunged over 410,000 homes and businesses into the dark during the heatwave .
Record-breaking temperatures caused the California Independent System Operator to issue a stage 2 emergency Monday , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover and conservation efforts by residents , the agency said in a statement .
“ Conservation efforts during these times can prevent more dire measures , such as rotating power outages , or generator equipment failures that can lead to more serious unplanned losses of power , ” California ISO said in a statement Tuesday .
And indeed , later Tuesday afternoon the agency reissued its stage 2 alert and “ urgently ” asked customers to conserve energy immediately to avoid power outages .
“ If system conditions do not improve , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including rotating power outages , ” according to the ISO in an advisory .
Roughly 25,000 acres are burning in the Santa Clara Lightning Complex Fire , darkening the skies across Alameda , Contra Costa , San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
North of the San Francisco Bay Area , the Hennessy Fire has so far scorched 2,700 acres in Napa County .
Persistent lightning also led to the Gamble and 15-10 fires , which have so far burned 5,000 and 4,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon .
In Southern California , Los Angeles County has two fires burning in the Angeles National Forest .
The Ranch Fire is burning in the southern section of the forest north of the city of Azusa , which the LA County Fire Department said was caused by a man camping along a nearby riverbed .
Osmin Palencia , 36 , reportedly turned himself into police and was charged with one felony count of arson during a state emergency and arson of a forest , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors said he started the fire during an argument .
The Ranch Fire has burned 3,900 acres as firefighters battle in triple-digit heat .
It is 19 % contained .
On the northwest side of the Angeles National Forest , the Lake Fire has burned over 21,000 acres since it broke out Aug. 12 .
The fire burned in a section of the forest that had not seen any fire activity in the last 80 to 100 years and last week swept through a rural residential neighborhood .
The blaze grew to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the cause of the fire remains unknown .
A 3,000-acre wildfire in Ventura County has prompted evacuations for eastern parts of the county and two firefighters were reported injured .
The Holser Fire is just 20 % contained according to the Ventura County Fire Department .
In the Shasta-Trinity National Forest , several forest fires were ignited by passing lightning storms including the 15,000-acre Red Salmon complex .
Those fires are burning in rugged and remote terrain and continue to steadily grow , according to the U.S. Forest Service .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency due to the wildfires and baking heat .
“ We are deploying every resource available to keep communities safe as California battles fires across the state during these extreme conditions , ” said Newsom in a statement .
The Covid-19 pandemic has made evacuations especially challenging .
Many people forced to leave their homes have been asked to remain in their cars at evacuation centers , as the Red Cross says it can not establish overnight evacuation shelters where people would normally sleep in cots in close proximity .
A persistent heatwave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and residents .
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for much of California through the weekend , though extended forecasts have much of the state baking in temperatures at or above 100 through the end of August .

The combination of wild weather and searing temperatures has sparked wildfires up and down the Golden State this week, prompting residents to flee their homes amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing threat of rolling blackouts across California’s maxed-out power grid.
(CN) — The combination of wild weather and searing temperatures has sparked wildfires up and down the Golden State this week, prompting residents to flee their homes amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing threat of rolling blackouts across California’s maxed-out power grid.
Over the weekend, the agency responsible for the state’s power grid ordered widespread rolling blackouts that plunged over 410,000 homes and businesses into the dark during the heatwave.
Record-breaking temperatures caused the California Independent System Operator to issue a stage 2 emergency Monday, but that was rescinded by Tuesday due to cloud cover and conservation efforts by residents, the agency said in a statement.
“Conservation efforts during these times can prevent more dire measures, such as rotating power outages, or generator equipment failures that can lead to more serious unplanned losses of power,” California ISO said in a statement Tuesday.
And indeed, later Tuesday afternoon the agency reissued its stage 2 alert and “urgently” asked customers to conserve energy immediately to avoid power outages.
“If system conditions do not improve, the ISO will declare a Stage 3 Emergency, including rotating power outages,” according to the ISO in an advisory.
From a temporary cooling center setup in a library in downtown Sacramento, Governor Gavin Newsom said the next two evenings pose a “critical” test for the state’s grid. He said California’s ability to buy supplies from neighboring states has been hampered as they are also searing in triple-digit temperatures.
Asked about a baseless claim made Tuesday by President Donald Trump that California Democrats “have intentionally implemented rolling blackouts,” Newsom noted the ISO is “federally regulated” and responsible for grid decisions, not politicians.
The Democratic governor added the state will “accelerate” its search for ways to increase and diversify the grid’s capacity to prevent future blackouts and that it is working with a private consulting firm for solutions.
“We’ve got to obviously look to smooth out the acuity of these heat shocks in anticipation that we’re going to experience many more of these in the next months, years, potentially decades going forward,” Newsom said.
Roughly 25,000 acres are burning in the Santa Clara Lightning Complex Fire, darkening the skies across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
North of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Hennessy Fire has so far scorched 2,700 acres in Napa County. Persistent lightning also led to the Gamble and 15-10 fires, which have so far burned 5,000 and 4,500 acres, respectively, and are zero percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
In Southern California, Los Angeles County has two fires burning in the Angeles National Forest. The Ranch Fire is burning in the southern section of the forest north of the city of Azusa, which the LA County Fire Department said was caused by a man camping along a nearby riverbed.
Osmin Palencia, 36, reportedly turned himself into police and was charged with one felony count of arson during a state emergency and arson of a forest, according to the LA County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said he started the fire during an argument.
The Ranch Fire has burned 3,900 acres as firefighters battle in triple-digit heat. It is 19% contained.
On the northwest side of the Angeles National Forest, the Lake Fire has burned over 21,000 acres since it broke out Aug. 12. The fire burned in a section of the forest that had not seen any fire activity in the last 80 to 100 years and last week swept through a rural residential neighborhood. The blaze grew to 10,000 acres in less than a day and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
A 3,000-acre wildfire in Ventura County has prompted evacuations for eastern parts of the county and two firefighters were reported injured. The Holser Fire is just 20% contained according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
In the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, several forest fires were ignited by passing lightning storms including the 15,000-acre Red Salmon complex. Those fires are burning in rugged and remote terrain and continue to steadily grow, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
On Tuesday, Newsom issued a statewide emergency due to the wildfires and baking heat.
“We are deploying every resource available to keep communities safe as California battles fires across the state during these extreme conditions,” said Newsom in a statement.
The Covid-19 pandemic has made evacuations especially challenging. Many people forced to leave their homes have been asked to remain in their cars at evacuation centers, as the Red Cross says it cannot establish overnight evacuation shelters where people would normally sleep in cots in close proximity.
A persistent heatwave is also making life miserable for firefighters and residents. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for much of California through the weekend, though extended forecasts have much of the state baking in temperatures at or above 100 through the end of August.
“This weather is remarkable but then again it’s what many had predicted and what many of us had come to experience here in California for some time,” Newsom said.


courthousenews--2020-08-18--Pangolin Settlement Offers Hope for Critically Poached Critter

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — In their fight to protect the world ’ s only scaly mammal , conservationists settled on a deadline Tuesday for the government to decide on adding every variety of pangolin to the endangered species list .
For those who may not be familiar with the creature , Sarah Uhlemann , senior attorney with the Biological Center for Diversity , said in a call Tuesday they look a little like an artichoke .
“ They have these hard , deflated scales that are made out of thin material that your fingernails are made out of , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size of a cat to quite a bit larger , ” she continued .
Tuesday ’ s settlement is the result of a suit filed in January by Uhlemann ’ s group as well as the Humane Society , Born Free USA and the Natural Resources Defense Council .
The groups challenged the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service ’ s failure to protect the scaly critters from poaching .
Currently , only one pangolin species — the Temminck ’ s ground pangolin — is protected under the Endangered Species Act but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia need the same status because they are illegally traded for possessing the same features .
“ It ’ s very difficult to tell different pangolin species apart once they ’ re chopped up and carved up into the products they ’ re sold in , ” Zak Smith , senior attorney with the NRDC , said on a call Tuesday , noting that pangolins are poached in Asia and Africa for their meat and scales , the latter of which are often later incorporated into medicinal products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fish and Wildlife Service committed to deciding whether the other seven pangolin species should be treated as endangered by June 2021 .
“ Using the look-alike provision of the Endangered Species Act , we can say , ‘ look if we check one , we have to check them all.
’ That ’ s a quick way to get protections for all eight , ” Smith added .
The groups first petitioned for these protections in July 2015 .
In their January complaint , the groups said that at least 26,000 pangolin product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2004 and 2013 .
The conservation groups also say some U.S. stores and online businesses openly sell products that contain pangolin parts .
The conservation groups say the pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the world , despite their obscurity and a 2016 ban on international commercial trade .
“ We have no reason to believe that that demand for pangolin products in the form of medicinal products containing or likely to contain pangolin parts has gone away , ” Smith said Tuesday .
What ’ s more , part of pangolins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When they get scared they curl up into the little ball , ” explained Uhlemann .
“ If you ’ re a lion kind of predator trying to eat them , that ’ s a fairly effective defense because the scales have these sharp edges on them .
But it makes it so easy for poachers to catch them every time they get scared , which is how they catch them and put them in the bag.
” Uhlemann adds that now that demand has all but obliterated the four Asian species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Africa are under threat .
In their January complaint , the groups noted that “ pangolins taken from the wild are mostly destined for markets in China and Vietnam , where it is erroneously believed that pangolin scales cure a range of ailments , and where pangolin meat and fetuses are consumed to display social status and wealth.
” More than a million pangolins were poached for meat and scales between 2004 and 2014 , the groups say .
“ The interesting part is that the majority of the demand is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there is also a demand here in the United States — I think that might surprise some people , ” Uhlemann said .
“ It looks like it ’ s mostly for medicinal purposes.
” The groups noted that between 2004 and 2013 , at least 26,000 imports of pangolin products were seized in the United States .
What ’ s more , a 2015 report by Humane Society International found “ medicinal ” products containing or likely to contain pangolin parts openly for sale online and at U.S. stores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ zeroed in on as the possible agents of infection that caused the interspecies jump responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic .
In February , the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou said that two of its researchers had identified the pangolin as the potential source of the virus .
Other researchers have said that the pangolins caught in China could have been exposed to coronaviruses while in transport .
“ Pangolins are most likely incidental hosts infected within the wildlife trade , ” Jimmy Lee , a researcher with the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance Malaysia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , noting that more research would be needed to rule pangolins out as an intermediate host of the virus .
Other scientists have proffered that while pangolins could have spread Covid-19 to humans , they may also be the answer to learning how to treat the disease .
“ Our work shows that pangolins have survived through millions of years of evolution without a type of antiviral defense that is used by all other mammals , ” Dr. Leopold Eckhart , of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the topic .
“ Further studies of pangolins will uncover how they manage to survive viral infections , and this might help to devise new treatment strategies for people with viral infections.
” For Smith , the pangolins possible role in the pandemic only emphasizes the need for better protections .
“ We can not continue to exploit wildlife the way that we have , ” Smith said .
“ There is a cost in the world of wildlife trade of spreading zoonotic disease.
” “ For the most trafficked animal in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States to use every tool at its disposal to crack down on the trade of pangolins and this settlement could move us closer to maximizing those protections that we need to enact , ” he continued .
The Tuesday settlement further gives the Fish and Wildlife Service until March 1 , 2022 , to submit a final rule to the Federal Register with respect to the proposed addition of the other seven pangolin species .
From there , the government has until June 1 , 2025 , to determine whether such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Fish and Wildlife did not return a request for comment on the settlement .
Of the eight species of pangolins , four species live in Africa ( black-bellied pangolin , white-bellied pangolin , giant ground pangolin and Temminck ’ s ground pangolin ) , and four live in Asia ( Indian pangolin , Philippine pangolin , Sunda pangolin and the Chinese pangolin ) .

In their fight to protect the world’s only scaly mammal, conservationists settled on a deadline Tuesday for the government to decide on adding every variety of pangolin to the endangered species list.
WASHINGTON (CN) — In their fight to protect the world’s only scaly mammal, conservationists settled on a deadline Tuesday for the government to decide on adding every variety of pangolin to the endangered species list.
For those who may not be familiar with the creature, Sarah Uhlemann, senior attorney with the Biological Center for Diversity, said in a call Tuesday they look a little like an artichoke.
“They have these hard, deflated scales that are made out of thin material that your fingernails are made out of, and they range in size from the size of a cat to quite a bit larger,” she continued.
Tuesday’s settlement is the result of a suit filed in January by Uhlemann’s group as well as the Humane Society, Born Free USA and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The groups challenged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s failure to protect the scaly critters from poaching. Currently, only one pangolin species — the Temminck’s ground pangolin — is protected under the Endangered Species Act but the groups argue that the remaining seven varieties found in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia need the same status because they are illegally traded for possessing the same features.
“It's very difficult to tell different pangolin species apart once they're chopped up and carved up into the products they’re sold in,” Zak Smith, senior attorney with the NRDC, said on a call Tuesday, noting that pangolins are poached in Asia and Africa for their meat and scales, the latter of which are often later incorporated into medicinal products. In the Tuesday settlement, the Fish and Wildlife Service committed to deciding whether the other seven pangolin species should be treated as endangered by June 2021.
“Using the look-alike provision of the Endangered Species Act, we can say, ‘look if we check one, we have to check them all.’ That's a quick way to get protections for all eight,” Smith added.
The groups first petitioned for these protections in July 2015. In their January complaint, the groups said that at least 26,000 pangolin product imports were seized in the U.S. between 2004 and 2013. The conservation groups also say some U.S. stores and online businesses openly sell products that contain pangolin parts. The conservation groups say the pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the world, despite their obscurity and a 2016 ban on international commercial trade.
“We have no reason to believe that that demand for pangolin products in the form of medicinal products containing or likely to contain pangolin parts has gone away,” Smith said Tuesday.
What’s more, part of pangolins’ unique design works against them.
“When they get scared they curl up into the little ball,” explained Uhlemann. “If you're a lion kind of predator trying to eat them, that's a fairly effective defense because the scales have these sharp edges on them. But it makes it so easy for poachers to catch them every time they get scared, which is how they catch them and put them in the bag.”
Uhlemann adds that now that demand has all but obliterated the four Asian species of pangolin, the species of pangolin in Africa are under threat. In their January complaint, the groups noted that “pangolins taken from the wild are mostly destined for markets in China and Vietnam, where it is erroneously believed that pangolin scales cure a range of ailments, and where pangolin meat and fetuses are consumed to display social status and wealth.” More than a million pangolins were poached for meat and scales between 2004 and 2014, the groups say.
“The interesting part is that the majority of the demand is in China and in other countries in Asia, but there is also a demand here in the United States — I think that might surprise some people,” Uhlemann said. “It looks like it's mostly for medicinal purposes.”
The groups noted that between 2004 and 2013, at least 26,000 imports of pangolin products were seized in the United States. What’s more, a 2015 report by Humane Society International found “medicinal” products containing or likely to contain pangolin parts openly for sale online and at U.S. stores.
Along with bats, pangolins have been zeroed in on as the possible agents of infection that caused the interspecies jump responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.
In February, the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou said that two of its researchers had identified the pangolin as the potential source of the virus. Other researchers have said that the pangolins caught in China could have been exposed to coronaviruses while in transport.
“Pangolins are most likely incidental hosts infected within the wildlife trade,” Jimmy Lee, a researcher with the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, told Nature in July, noting that more research would be needed to rule pangolins out as an intermediate host of the virus.
Other scientists have proffered that while pangolins could have spread Covid-19 to humans, they may also be the answer to learning how to treat the disease.
“Our work shows that pangolins have survived through millions of years of evolution without a type of antiviral defense that is used by all other mammals,” Dr. Leopold Eckhart, of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, said in a May statement concerning his research on the topic. “Further studies of pangolins will uncover how they manage to survive viral infections, and this might help to devise new treatment strategies for people with viral infections.”
For Smith, the pangolins possible role in the pandemic only emphasizes the need for better protections.
“We cannot continue to exploit wildlife the way that we have,” Smith said. “There is a cost in the world of wildlife trade of spreading zoonotic disease.”
“For the most trafficked animal in the world, it's time for the United States to use every tool at its disposal to crack down on the trade of pangolins and this settlement could move us closer to maximizing those protections that we need to enact,” he continued.
The Tuesday settlement further gives the Fish and Wildlife Service until March 1, 2022, to submit a final rule to the Federal Register with respect to the proposed addition of the other seven pangolin species. From there, the government has until June 1, 2025, to determine whether such more rulemaking is warranted. A representative for Fish and Wildlife did not return a request for comment on the settlement.
Of the eight species of pangolins, four species live in Africa (black-bellied pangolin, white-bellied pangolin, giant ground pangolin and Temminck's ground pangolin), and four live in Asia (Indian pangolin, Philippine pangolin, Sunda pangolin and the Chinese pangolin).


Gay-Hating Pastor

SACRAMENTO , Calif. — A California appeals court reversed the partial grant of an anti-SLAPP motion made by a pastor @ @ @ @ @ protesters after he praised the Orlando nightclub shooting in homophobic sermons .


Movie Theaters

TRENTON , N.J. — A federal court in New Jersey ruled against movie theater companies and owners challenging Governor Phil @ @ @ @ @ orders closing theaters .
The plaintiffs failed to prove irreparable harm or that the orders @ @ @ @ @


Serial Killer

COLUMBUS , Ohio — The Ohio Supreme Court upheld a serial killer ’ s death sentences for the aggravated murders @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Kirkland failed to prove he was prejudiced by a group voir dire , and @ @ @ @ @ gruesome ” autopsy photographs presented during the resentencing hearing outweighed any prejudicial effect .


Golden State Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — A California appeals court upheld an arbitration award that found the Golden State Warriors must continue servicing @ @ @ @ @ improvements .
The basketball team failed to exercise its option to renew the agreement for @ @ @ @ @ Arena , which constitutes a “ termination ” that triggers the debt servicing obligation .


Pole Tax

HOUSTON — The Texas comptroller ’ s “ pole tax ” rule for businesses that offer “ live nude entertainment @ @ @ @ @ of alcohol on their premises is valid under the Administrative Procedures Act , a Texas @ @ @ @ @ association of “ bikini/latex clubs ” challenged the rule , arguing the opaque latex the @ @ @ @ @ “ any statutorily specified body part.
” However , because a federal court has invalidated @ @ @ @ @ still can not collect the tax at this time .

The Texas comptroller’s “pole tax” rule for businesses that offer “live nude entertainment” and allow the consumption of alcohol on their premises is valid under the Administrative Procedures Act, a Texas appeals court ruled. An association of “bikini/latex clubs” challenged the rule, arguing the opaque latex the entertainers use does not reveal “any statutorily specified body part.”
HOUSTON — The Texas comptroller’s “pole tax” rule for businesses that offer “live nude entertainment” and allow the consumption of alcohol on their premises is valid under the Administrative Procedures Act, a Texas appeals court ruled. An association of “bikini/latex clubs” challenged the rule, arguing the opaque latex the entertainers use does not reveal “any statutorily specified body part.”
However, because a federal court has invalidated the rule, the state still cannot collect the tax at this time.