October 6, 2003 - At a time when Minnesota is reeling from several highly-publicized killings in which mental illness may have played a role, the state Supreme Court will hear one man's challenge to Minnesota's standard for a not guilty by mental illness defense. Tomorrow (Tuesday) justices are hearing the appeal of Roger Schleicher who was convicted of killing his best friend because he said Jesus told him to do so. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
October 1, 2003 - The Hennepin County Attorney's office has filed charges against a St Paul woman suspected of killing her cousin and wounding an attorney at the Hennepin County government center Monday. 52-year-old Susan Berkovitz is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow on first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charges. The complaint details a woman so angry with her cousin over an inheritance dispute, she plotted for months to commit murder. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
September 30, 2003 - Hennepin County Government Center opened for business pretty much as usual today (Tues), one day after a woman shot and killed another woman and wounded a male attorney in the downtown Minneapolis tower. Some of the government center's workers say that it could've easily been their department. Some are calling for changes in security. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
September 30, 2003 - A sheriff's spokewoman involved in a dispute over her father's estate opened fire Monday at the Hennepin County Government Center, killing the estate conservator and wounding an attorney. The shooter was in the county jail, held on probable cause for murder. The shooting has again sparked debate over the lack of intense security at the government center. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
September 25, 2003 - A divided Minnesota Supreme Court ruled game wardens may inspect fishing boats without probable cause that an angler is violating fishing regulations. However, a dissenting justice said the ruling opens the door for warrantless searches by any police officer on the mere suspicion that the individual is, has, or will hunt or fish. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
September 19, 2003 - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft told a crowd of about 150 Minnesota law enforcement officials today (Friday) that America is winning the fight against terrorism. In the past month, Ashcroft has visited more than dozen cities around the nation drumming up support for the Patriot Act and brushing off criticism that the act threatens civil liberties. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: {Rousing patriotism filled a hall at the Minneapolis Marriott where U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft spoke. A wounded Edina police officer led the crowd of FBI agents, police and federal prosecutors in the Pledge of Allegiance; that was followed by the national anthem.
September 16, 2003 - A split federal appeals court panel has ruled Minnesota HMOs may not sue the tobacco industry for smoking-related damages. The panel, however, ordered a federal judge to reconsider the HMOs' request to stop the cigarette companies from misleading advertising. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
September 11, 2003 - A split Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled judges may compel reporters to divulge unnamed sources in some defamation cases. Justices ruled 5-to-2 that a Maplewood Review reporter must reveal his sources from an article that criticized the Tartan High School football coach. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
August 13, 2003 - Several Twin Cities area judges say they have a renewed passion for the American justice system after serving as the first U.S. judges to take part in the United Nation's mission in Kosovo. Judges from Hennepin, Ramsey and Dakota counties ruled on cases too sensitive for local judges war crimes, ethnic disputes and organized crime. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki checked in with the judges who returned to the U.S. in the past few weeks
August 6, 2003 - A Ramsey County judge has ruled the details of an investigation into the head of Minnesota's National Guard will stay private...at least for 2 12 weeks. The Governor had planned to release the information from its investigation of Major General Eugene Andreotti on Monday. The judge also barred all of the parties, including the Governor and his staff from talking publicly about the probe until an August 22nd hearing. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki joins me now.