National Roundup

Arkansas: Beebe’s lawyer calls vehicle suit frivolous
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The attorney for Gov. Mike Beebe says a Republican-backed lawsuit over the personal use of state-owned vehicles by elected officials is frivolous.

Timothy Gauger, Beebe’s chief legal counsel, said in a court filing that what began as a lawsuit “utterly lacking in merit” has been amended so that it has propelled the case “into the realm of frivolity.”

The lawsuit filed by state Republicans claims personal use of state vehicles violates pay restrictions in the state Constitution. It names Beebe and seven other state officials who all are Democrats as defendants.

State GOP chairman Doyle Webb, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of GOP district chairman Johnny Rhoda of Clinton, didn’t return a message left by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

No hearing has been set for the lawsuit.

New Hampshire: State High Court rejects golfer’s negligence claim
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — You play golf, you assume risks. So says New Hampshire’s Supreme Court.

The state’s highest court has upheld dismissal of a negligence lawsuit brought by an injured golfer against Candia Woods Golf Links.

Paul Sanchez III said the golf course was at fault when his golf ball ricocheted off a four-inch-square yard marker and hit him in the right eye on Sept. 4, 2006. He said he did not know the markers were removable, and he planned to drive the ball to the right of the marker.

Sanchez is now blind in his right eye.

A lower court granted Candia Woods’ motion for judgment in its favor.

The Supreme Court says that obstacles and errant golf balls are inherent risks in the game of golf.

California: State Supreme Court won’t hear newspaper ad case
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s Supreme Court has declined to review a $21 million damage award against a San Francisco newspaper accused of slashing advertising prices to drive a rival publication out of business.

Only one of the court’s seven justices voted in favor of hearing the appeal by SF Weekly — far short of the majority needed.

A San Francisco judge awarded SF Weekly’s rival, the Bay Guardian, $21 million in 2008 after a jury ruled that SF Weekly had engaged in predatory pricing that cost the Bay Guardian revenue.

SF Weekly says its low-cost ads reflected fair competition and did not violate antitrust laws.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that attorneys for the newspapers declined to comment on a possible settlement the two sides are negotiating.

Maine: Court denies petition from disbarred lawyer
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A former lawyer who took on high-profile cases before being disbarred has had his request denied to practice law again in Maine.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday denied Charles Williams III’s appeal seeking reinstatement to the Maine bar.

Williams made a name for himself when practicing in Lewiston nearly a decade ago as an advocate for victims of racial discrimination.

He was disbarred in 2004 for numerous ethical violations, including forcing a former client to have sex, failing to file court documents, overcharging clients and skipping court dates.

Supreme court Justice Donald Alexander denied Williams’ reinstatement petition last spring, but Williams appealed that decision. The full court on Tuesday upheld Alexander’s decision.

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