Curt Andersen faces voluntary manslaughter charges after fatally shooting Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez on November 5th in Whitestown, Indiana. Prosecutors announced that Velasquez, a mother of four, was part of a cleaning crew that mistakenly went to the wrong home. Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood said Andersen’s actions don’t qualify for Stand Your Ground law protection. (Story URL)
A federal judge says the criminal charges against ex-FBI Director James Comey may be dismissed due to “government misconduct” during grand jury proceedings that may rise to the level of “reckless disregard of the law.” U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan had never prosecuted a criminal case before her assignment, but President Trump demanded Comey’s prosecution before the statute of limitations expired. (Story URL)
President Trump said Monday that he would sign a bill requiring the Justice Department to release all files related to the case against sex offender Jeffrey Epstein if the Congressional measure reaches his desk. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters, “I’m all for it,” while answering questions during an event. He said the ongoing controversy distracts from his administration’s accomplishments. (Story URL)
David Richardson resigned Monday as acting administrator of the FEMA after about six months in the role. Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer with no prior emergency management experience, faced criticism for his delayed response to the July 4 floods in Texas that killed more than 130 people, including 27 at Camp Mystic. He was on vacation during the disaster. Richardson was appointed in May. (Story URL)
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case involving a Tampa Christian school that sought to broadcast a pregame prayer before a state football championship. The decision leaves in place a 25-year-old ruling that bars student-led prayer over school loudspeakers. Lower courts found that loudspeaker messages at state-organized events are government speech. No justices dissented. (Story URL)