Most Explosive Verdict: Gun Store On the Hook for Damages to Cops in ‘Straw Buyer’ Sales
A Milwaukee County Circuit Court awarded $5 million in damages from a local gun shop to two police officers severely wounded by a pistol purchased by a "straw buyer," according to an article from The New York Times.
"Gun-control advocates hoped the verdict would encourage more victims and lawyers to sue what they say is a small minority of gun stores that make questionable sales," according to the story. The jury found the shop was negligent in selling the weapon when there were signs the purchaser was buying the gun for 18-year-old Julius Burton in a rare civil case where a gun shop was held liable for damages resulting from one of its sales. Barton proceeded to shoot the two officers, Bryan Norberg and Graham Kunisch with the gun, causing severe damage. The purchaser, Jacob Collins, is serving two years, while Barton is serving 80 years for attempted murder. An appeal is planned.
Most Religious Verdict: MTA Must Let ‘The Muslims Are Coming’ Ads Run
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority cannot ban movie advertisements from an Islamic comedy group, per a federal court ruling. So reports the New York Post.
The ads promote a documentary called "The Muslims are Coming," which follows a group of comedians traveling the country with hopes to "spread goodwill." The MTA recently instituted a rule prohibiting political-issue ads in the wake of an attempt by Pam Geller to run controversial anti-radical Islam ads. However, the judge said the documentary's ads are not "overtly political," but commercial in nature. It is not clear if the MTA will appeal the ruling or when the ads will run.
Most Stern Verdict: Woman Afraid to Face Attacker Jailed, Judge Rules Contempt
An alleged domestic abuse victim was sentenced to jail after she failed to appear in court to face her accused attacker. Seminole County Judge Jerri Collins "berated" her for not showing up to testify against him, hurting the prosecution's case, according to a story from the New York Daily News.
The alleged domestic abuse victim was held in contempt of court for ignoring a subpoena and sentenced to three days in county jail. "Your honor, I'm very sorry for not attending the last one," she said, crying. "I've been dealing with depression and just a lot personally since this happened. My anxiety is like, this is every day for me," according to the story. The woman, who has a 1-year-old son, pleaded for leniency, however the judge responded, "Turn around. You should have showed up. I've already issued my order."
Most Animal Verdict: Zoo Love Triangle Ends in Assault
As a result of a strange zoo-related love triangle, Westminster Magistrates’ Court ordered Caroline Westlake to pay 800 pounds, roughly $1,200, to Kate Sanders for assaulting her over colleague Adam Davies who dated both women. The trio, a meerkat expert, monkey-handler and llama keeper, respectively, generated a truly unique lede to the Time article, enumerating the details of the spat.
Westlake was said to have assaulted Sanders with a wine glass at the zoo's annual Christmas Party. She was fired as a result of the incident and was also sentenced to 12 months community service.
Most International Verdict: British Man Sentenced to 360 Lashes in Saudi Arabia Over Wine
A 74 year-old man faces 360 lashes in Saudi Arabia after he was caught with homemade wine. He was arrested in the city of Jeddah, where alcohol is banned.
According to a story in the New York Daily News, the man's family is pleading for mercy as they fear the lashings may prove fatal. The British oil executive has lived in the country for 25 years and is being held in prison until his sentence is carried out. “He’s had cancer three times,” his son Simon told the BBC. “He suffers from severe asthma. He’s an old, frail man, and I just fear that this lashing sentence is a death sentence for him.” The story has gotten the attention of the British Prime Minister David Cameron, who has intervened on his behalf.