judge charlotte sweeney
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10th Circuit rules child welfare worker immune for alleged false statements at custody hearing
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The Denver-based federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that a child welfare worker’s testimony during a temporary custody hearing, even if it was false, cannot be the basis for a civil lawsuit under the longstanding principle shielding witness statements in judicial proceedings. A trial judge previously believed the allegedly untruthful statements of former Arapahoe County…
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What’s in a name? 2 federal judges hold ‘hearings’ differently than advertised
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Soon after her appointment to Colorado’s U.S. District Court in 2021, Judge Regina M. Rodriguez implemented a new procedure for handling motions for summary judgment — meaning one party in a civil lawsuit is asking to end the case in their favor without a trial. She began requiring lawyers to identify, in chart format, all of…
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Federal judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit over prison training exercise turned violent
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A federal judge ruled last week that claims could proceed against five federal prison employees who allegedly attacked their colleagues during a training exercise turned violent. While carrying out a 2019 hostage training at the Federal Correctional Complex in Florence, prison employees punched, shot simulated bullets at and used chemical munitions on their coworkers who…
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10th Circuit rules Denver deputy will face trial for punching man in wheelchair
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The Colorado-based federal appeals court agreed on Friday that a Denver sheriff’s deputy will face a civil jury trial for using “arbitrary and punitive force” against a restrained man who spat on him. Video footage from 2019 captured Deputy Jason Gentempo punching and shoving Serafin Finn, who was in a wheelchair, to the ground after Finn…
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Federal judge dismisses $50 million defamation lawsuit from woman called ‘prostitute’ at party
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A federal judge last week dismissed a woman’s defamation lawsuit that sought $50 million in damages after a party guest allegedly called her a “prostitute” to others in attendance. “No one likes being called names. But not every alleged insult gives rise to a lawsuit in federal court,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N.…
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Federal judge rules Pueblo sheriff’s officials will face jury trial for killing man at school
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Multiple Pueblo County sheriff’s employees will face a civil jury trial after one deputy shot and killed a man outside a middle school and other deputies placed his mother under arrest for hours without justification, a federal judge ruled earlier this month. Kristy Ward Stamp, mother of the late Richard Ward, alleged Deputy Charles McWhorter,…
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Kiowa County deputy may be sued over fatal vehicle collision, federal judge rules
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A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that a Kiowa County deputy and the sheriff’s office may be sued for a fatal vehicle collision because of alleged violations of state law, although the parties dispute whose actions caused the accident. The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act generally shields government entities and public employees from being sued for their actions, but…
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10th Circuit clears path for Elizabeth School District to return restricted books to shelves as ordered
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The Denver-based federal appeals court declined on Monday to put a trial judge’s order on hold, instead clearing the path for Elizabeth School District to return 19 restricted books to its library shelves as directed earlier this month. In March, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney found the elected school board had likely violated…
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Federal judge declines to put order on hold imposing limits on ‘alien enemies’ removals
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A federal judge on Thursday rejected the government’s request to put her order on hold while it seeks review of the decision to place temporary procedural limitations on removals of non-citizens suspected of being “alien enemies.” On April 22, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney issued a temporary restraining order in a case brought by two detained…
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Denver detectives did not violate man’s rights in unsuccessful murder prosecution, judge finds
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A federal judge agreed last week that two Denver detectives could not be held liable for malicious prosecution because there was probable cause to pursue a murder charge against a defendant, even if jurors ultimately acquitted him. Michelle Jacobson died from a gunshot wound to the head in September 2019. Although there was evidence her…