Court Roundup

New Hampshire State High Court upholds sexual predator law CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The New Hampshire Supreme Court says the state's 4-year-old sexual predator law is constitutional. The court has unanimously upheld the five-year civil commitment of a child rapist who became the first convict to be civilly committed for additional treatment as a sexual predator. The court on Wednesday rejected 52-year-old William Ploof's argument that the law violates his constitutional equal protection rights. Ploof pleaded guilty in 1998 to raping a boy and served a 10-year sentence. Under the sexual predator law passed in 2007, prosecutors moved to keep Ploof behind bars because he did not complete sex offender treatment during his sentence. A jury in 2009 determined he should remain incarcerated for treatment for an additional five years as a sexual predator who is likely to offend again. Alaska Judge refuses to move trial for militia leader FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) -- A judge has refused a motion to move a weapons trial for militia leader Schaeffer Cox and two others to Fairbanks. That means that the federal trial will stay in Anchorage. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner says U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan cited safety concerns Monday as being one reason for keeping the trial in Anchorage. Cox, along with co-defendants Coleman Barney and Lonnie Vernon, face charges of possessing illegal weapons. Barney's attorney, Tim Dooley, had asked for the trial to be moved to Fairbanks in order to accommodate witnesses and because the alleged crimes took place in the Fairbanks area. However, the judge said it was too early to tell which witnesses will be called, and he says some of the alleged crimes took place in Anchorage. North Dakota ND sues Minnesota over coal power restrictions BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota and the state's coal industry is suing the state of Minnesota to overturn a law that restricts imports of electricity that's generated by coal. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (STEN'-juhm) says the lawsuit is being filed in federal court in Minnesota. The Minnesota law was approved in 2007. Minnesota lawmakers voted this year to relax its restrictions, but Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the bill. The lawsuit contends Minnesota's law is an unconstitutional restriction on doing business between states. Stenehjem says the law also doesn't cut down on carbon dioxide emissions or help to remedy global warming. Minnesota is a major customer for electricity produced in western North Dakota's coal-fueled power plants. Stenehjem says the law makes electricity more expensive for Minnesota consumers, and doesn't offer any environmental benefit. Nebraska State high court to hear 'alcopops' ruling appeal OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The Nebraska Supreme Court will decide whether so-called "alcopops" should be taxed as hard liquor. On Thursday, the state's high court will hear the Nebraska Attorney General's appeal of a Feb. 14 ruling by Lancaster County District Judge John Colborn. Colborn found that state law dictates drinks containing any distilled alcohol should be taxed as hard liquor. The difference between beer and hard liquor tax rates is more than $3 a gallon, so the price of beverages such as Mike's Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice would likely increase if the ruling stands. Those brewed malt beverages -- dubbed by some as "alcopops" because of the drinks' sweet taste and pop-like packaging -- are flavored with distilled spirits. The drinks had been classified as beer by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Mississippi Guilty plea in 21-year-old Pascagoula rape case PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) -- A Pascagoula man has pleaded guilty to rape and burglary charges in 1990 case involving a 15-year-old girl. Lester Jerome Selmon entered the plea Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court. Prosecutors say Selmon broke into a Pascagoula apartment on May 30, 1990 and raped the girl. Selmon was arrested in 2009 after DNA matched him to the crime. A judge sentenced Selmon to a total of 50 years in prison on both charges, with 12 years to serve day for day and 10 years post-release supervision to run concurrently. Selmon was ordered to register as a sex offender. Selmon told the judge he was under the influence of alcohol when he broke in through a bedroom window, crawled inside the then 15-year-old's room and raped her at knifepoint. Published: Thu, Nov 3, 2011