News from January 2008
Missouri GOP scrambles for Nixon challenger this November
Jay Nixon JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri governor's mansion now looks to be Attorney General Jay Nixon's to lose in November.
Justice wants probe into other Justice's relationship with Massey CEO
Starcher CHARLESTON, W.Va. - State Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher reportedly has asked for an independent probe into the relationship between Chief Justice Spike Maynard and Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
Editorials increasingly upset with AG Hood
Hood JACKSON, Miss. - On Nov. 6, state Attorney General Jim Hood was the most popular man in Mississippi.
It's up to NY in Borat lawsuits, Alabama SC rules
Borat MONTGOMERY -- The Alabama Supreme Court has shortened by one the line to sue comedian Sacha Baron-Cohen after making an embarrassing appearance in his 2006 movie "Borat."
State court circus might match federal drama in Scruggs case
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - Attorney Grady Tollison thinks that if things were any worse in Oxford, it would be really bad for his safety.
Coakley nears $300m payout from Big Dig managers
Martha Coakley BOSTON -- Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has moved closer to settling with two of the three companies held most responsible for failures in parts of Boston's "Big Dig" road tunnel.
Scruggs defense team attacks investigators
Keker OXFORD, Miss. - The defense team of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs plans to argue that Scruggs had no role in an alleged bribery scheme and the U.S. government misled those who authorized wiretaps.
Scruggs remains without local counsel
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - Federal judge Neal Biggers was either making a joke about Mississippi lawyers or simply voicing his opinion on a rule that requires defendants like prominent trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs to employ local counsel Wednesday.
Delays in Scruggs case move trial again
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - For a second time, the trial of prominent Mississippi trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs is being pushed back by more than a month.
MS lawmaker-judges set for Nov. face-off on SC vote
Randy Pierce JACKSON -- A former Democratic state congressman with cross-over political appeal has jumped out early to take on a Mississippi Supreme Court incumbent in November's election.
Justice's relationship with CEO questioned again, this time with photos
Maynard CHARLESTON - The owner of a now-bankrupt coal company again has questioned the relationship between West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Spike Maynard and Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
Firing the only punishment from AG Hood for Langston
Hood JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said Monday that he is disappointed in one of his largest campaign contributors, an attorney hired twice by him to represent the State of Mississippi in court, though he won't prosecute him.
Scruggs' former lawyer, co-defendant plead guilty to bribery scheme
Langston OXFORD, Miss. - Two more have pleaded guilty to bribery charges in the ongoing saga of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, according to recently unsealed documents.
Patterson's name missing from motion
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - Some of the defendants in the Richard "Dickie" Scruggs bribery case again have asked for the U.S. government's evidence, while one name was conspicuous by its absence.
Right looks for split decision in USSC voter-ID case
Chief Justice John G. Roberts WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court gave early hints this week of leaning towards allowing state-based voter-ID laws in opening proceedings.
Judge puts end to attorneys' game of musical chairs
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - After a day of heavy attorney movement in the saga of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, federal judge Neal Biggers put everybody back where they were.
W. Va. justice's relationship with CEO called into question
Maynard CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Justice Elliott Maynard had been the only member of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals not to stand out in a $76 million case against Massey Energy and its CEO, Don Blankenship.
Another attorney for the other Scruggs
Farese OXFORD, Miss. - The son of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs is following in the footsteps of his father.
Scruggs hires new attorney for bribery case
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - While the withdrawal of his last attorney continues to be unexplained, indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs on Wednesday presented a federal court with his newest counsel.
Kansas Gov. likely weeks from naming new AG - UPDATE
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius TOPEKA -- Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will probably keep everybody guessing down to the wire over who will succeed the disgraced Paul Morrison as state attorney general.