United States

State AG Criticizes Aquarion Sale Approval, Citing Doubled Water Bills

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong criticized the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority's preliminary approval of the Aquarion water company sale to a nonprofit, projecting doubled water bills for consumers. The decision reverses a prior denial and is expected to significantly impact public oversight and consumer protections.

Cedar Coal Company v. Director, DOWCP - Black Lung Benefits Decision

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Cedar Coal Company's petition to review an order awarding black lung benefits to the estate of Roger L. Mullins. The court found that the Administrative Law Judge's decision was supported by substantial evidence and that the claimant presented sufficient evidence within regulatory limitations.

US v. John McLaurin - Criminal Case Vacated and Remanded

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded the criminal case of US v. John McLaurin. The court found that discretionary supervised release conditions not orally pronounced at sentencing are nullities, impacting the revocation judgment. The case is remanded for resentencing.

State v. Wilson - Public Records Denial

The Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court's decision denying a defendant's motions for public records. The court found the motions were barred by res judicata and the information sought was not necessary for a justiciable claim.

State v. Lanier - Ohio Court of Appeals Affirms Trial Judgment

The Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court's judgment in the consolidated cases of State v. Lanier. The court found that the record clearly and convincingly supported the trial court's findings regarding the sentences imposed on the appellant.

State v. Norman - Resentencing Remand

The Ohio Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the case of State v. Norman for resentencing. The trial court failed to provide required notifications under the Reagan Tokes Act during the initial sentencing. The judgment is affirmed in all other respects.

State v. Johnson - Child Victim Testimony Statute Violation

The Ohio Court of Appeals reversed and vacated parts of a trial court's judgment against Chadwick Johnson, finding that the trial court violated Johnson's right to confrontation by allowing child victims to testify outside his presence without proper findings. The appellate court remanded the case for a new trial on specific charges due to insufficient evidence.

State v. Fogle - Dog Bite Restitution Upheld

The Ohio Court of Appeals upheld a trial court's order for restitution of $265.92 against Ellen Fogle, whose dog bit a neighbor and attacked the neighbor's dog. The court found sufficient evidence to support the restitution order in this consolidated appeal.

State v. Kynard - Criminal Sentencing Appeal

The Ohio Court of Appeals reversed a trial court's judgment regarding consecutive sentencing. The case is remanded for the limited purpose of providing post-release control notification to the defendant. The court found the original sentencing order improperly imposed a consecutive sentence to another unsentenced case.

Finn v. Rutherford - Landlord-Tenant Dispute Affirmed

The Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court's judgment in Finn v. Rutherford, a landlord-tenant dispute. The appellate court found that the appellant failed to present objections to the magistrate's decision and did not file a transcript, preventing a review of the merits.