Seaford loses fetal tissue case

DOJ wins challenge to Seaford ‘fetal tissue’ law

Staff Writer Government, Headlines

  A Delaware court has overturned a Seaford law that would have required anyone who had an abortion or miscarriage to pay to bury or cremate the fetal tissue. Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster of the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled Wednesday morning that Seaford, as a junior sovereign, cannot enact a law that conflicts directly with law established by …

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Day 2 of McGuiness trial canceled after venue dispute

Charlie Megginson Government, Headlines

State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness’s corruption trial will not begin until at least Thursday after Judge William Carpenter of the Delaware Superior Court announced Wednesday’s proceedings would be canceled.  The announcement came after McGuiness’s defense team on Tuesday asked Carpenter to dismiss the indictment altogether “based upon the State’s failure to properly allege venue,” defense attorney Steve Wood wrote in a …

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McGuiness trial up in air as prosecutors ponder venue change

Charlie Megginson Government, Headlines

The trial against Delaware State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness got off to a rocky start Tuesday after her defense team argued the case should be heard in Kent County rather than New Castle County. Rule 18 of the Superior Court says that in most cases, a prosecution shall be held in the county in which the offense or offenses are alleged …

Guns

House bill would raise minimum sentence for felony firearm charge

Charlie Megginson Government, Headlines

A bill set to be considered by the Delaware House of Representatives would increase the minimum sentence for those who possess a firearm during the commission of a felony.  The crime was created by the 137th General Assembly in 1994 with the minimum required sentence set at three years, or five years for defendants with two prior felony convictions. It …

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House committee debates student crimes being reported to school

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

A fiery discussion in the state House of Representatives Education Committee about a bill that would prevent schools from being told about students involved in certain crimes away from campus ended Wednesday with the bill being tabled. The sponsor of House Bill 396, Rep. Dorsey Walker, D-Wilmington, told the committee that the bill was designed to prevent double punishment. The …

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Milford custodian arrested for child porn after being reported by Twitter

Betsy Price Headlines, Police & Fire

  A Milford school custodial employee was charged with three counts of dealing in child pornography after being reported by Twitter, according to court records. Darin A. Albright, 57, is being held on $180,000 cash bail at the Sussex County Correctional Institution, according to the Delaware Department of Justice. Darin A. Albright His charges are Class B felonies, which carry …

Seaford mayor pushes back against AG’s fetal remains lawsuit

Charlie Megginson Government, Headlines, Health

Seaford Mayor David Genshaw says the ordinance has nothing to do with a woman’s right to get an abortion. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings on Tuesday filed suit against the City of Seaford in the state’s Court of Chancery over an ordinance relating to the manner by which abortion clinics must dispose of fetal remains.  Now, Seaford’s mayor and city …

State trooper indicted for writing warnings without stopping drivers

Betsy Price Government, Headlines

A state trooper has been indicted for writing warnings without stopping drivers.   NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect a later statement from the Department of Justice. A Delaware state trooper was indicted on four counts for fraudulently writing warnings for motorists, some of whom he didn’t even stop. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a press …

14 Wilmington gang members hit with 120 charges, including six murders

Betsy Price Headlines, Police & Fire

    Fourteen members of the Wlmington gang have been indicted on more than 120 criminal charges, including six counts of murder, authorities announced Monday. The indictment comes after a six-month long investigation involving the Delaware Department of Justice, Wilmington Police Department and New Castle County Police Department, and more agencies. The six murder charges relate to deaths between Nov. …