National Roundup

Illinois
Suit challenges ban of handguns in home day cares

CHICAGO (AP) — Several gun rights groups have joined a central Illinois couple in a federal lawsuit challenging a ban on handguns in home day cares.

The lawsuit filed against the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services contends the prohibition violates the rights of home day care operators.

Jennifer Miller operates a licensed day care out of her Shelbyville home. She contends owning a handgun is her Second Amendment right, adding she and her husband have gone through background checks and firearm training.

Miller and her husband, Darin, both have firearm owner’s identification cards and concealed carry permits.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction barring Illinois and DCFS from enforcing the handgun restriction and asks the court to declare the rule unconstitutional.

A spokeswoman for the agency declined to comment on pending litigation.

New York
Protesters want release of frat video deemed racist, sexist

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Protesters at New York’s Syracuse University are demanding that the school release video showing racist and sexist behavior by members of a now-suspended fraternity.

School officials say the videos involved members of Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity.

The school’s chancellor, Ken Syverud, described the behavior as racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and hostile to people with disabilities. He said the videos were turned over to the school’s Department of Public Safety for possible disciplinary or legal action.

The Post-Standard says the university held a gathering Wednesday to promote “community dialogue.” Students then held the protest and a lengthy discussion about their frustrations.

Theta Tau said it’s investigating. It said the behaviors described were not representative of its “very diverse organization.”

Louisiana
Homeowner finds naked intruder in tub, with Cheetos

MONROE, La. (AP) — Police in Louisiana say a woman came home to discover a naked stranger in her tub, eating her Cheetos while taking a bath.

A Monroe police affidavit says 29-year-old Evelyn Washington was arrested on burglary and property damage charges.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that a responding officer found “a full tub of water and a plate of food along with half eaten Cheetos belonging to the victim on the toilet next to the tub.”

Washington told the homeowner and police that an unknown male had told her to break into the house. Police found a tall ice chest under a broken window.

It’s unclear if she has a lawyer.

Illinois
Ex-probation supervisor sues chief judge

CHICAGO (AP) — A former supervisor in Cook County’s Adult Probation Department is suing the county’s chief judge, alleging racial discrimination.

Philippe Loizon, who is white, alleges in a federal lawsuit that Chief Judge Timothy Evans discriminated against him because of his race. Loizon says he was wrongly dismissed last year by Evans, who is African American, while numerous black employees in the department have received little or no discipline for alleged misconduct.

The Chicago Tribune reports Loizon was fired last year after published reports officers under Loizon’s command improperly teamed up with Chicago police and the FBI to conduct warrantless searches of homes. The unit allegedly also coerced probationers to work as police informants.

Evans’ spokesman, Pat Milhizer, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Loizon’s attorney, Gregory Friedman, also declined to comment Wednesday.

Ohio
Woman pleads guilty in mercy killing attempt

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio woman has pleaded guilty to posing as a doctor and trying to administer a lethal dose of an opioid to an ailing elderly woman.

Prosecutors say the plot by 41-year-old Lilly Brunoni and a relative of the elderly woman appeared to be an attempted mercy killing. They say Brunoni would have had nothing to gain from the woman’s death. The victim was revived with the overdose-reversal drug naloxone.

The elderly woman’s relative, Nicole Dailey, apparently believed Brunoni was a doctor. She pleaded guilty to attempted murder in February and agreed to testify against Brunoni.

The Canton Repository reports Brunoni, a Canton resident, was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison on charges including attempted murder and practicing medicine without a license.

Brunoni’s lawyer says he believes she has undiagnosed mental health issues.

Wisconsin
Attorney general rips state bar for awarding felon

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel lashed out at the state bar association Wednesday for nominating a lawyer convicted in a sexual assault years ago for a prestigious award, saying the decision sends a horrible message to victims.

The State Bar of Wisconsin announced Tuesday that Stephan Addison had won the 2018 Jack DeWitt WisLAP Volunteer Award, which recognizes a lawyer, judge or group that has helped the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program. The program helps attorneys deal with stress, addiction and mental health issues.

Addison was convicted in 2006 of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and two counts of misdemeanor sexual gratification in connection with a 2005 sexual assault in Green Lake County. According to a criminal complaint, Addison and another man met a woman at a Ripon bar, convinced her to drive them home and then sexually assaulted her at a boat landing.

“What type of message is the Wisconsin State Bar Association sending to the state and survivors of sexual assault ...?” Schimel, a Republican, asked in a news release. “This is a terrible lapse in judgment and Mr. Addison’s award should be pulled.”

Bar President Paul Swanson issued a statement late Wednesday evening saying that many of the volunteer attorneys who work with WisLAP have been through recovery programs themselves, have a background of substance abuse or are wrestling with other issues.

Still, the award committee plans to reconvene to discuss their selection, Swanson said.