Supreme Court keeps hold on Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is keeping a hold on President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship but will hear arguments on the issue in May. Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for the children of people who are in the U.S. illegally has been halted nationwide by three district courts around the country. The Republican administration had sought to narrow those orders to allow for the policy to take effect in parts or most of the country. That’s expected to be the focus of the high court arguments under the court’s order Thursday. States, immigrants and rights groups that have sued to block Trump’s executive order accuse his administration of trying to unsettle the understanding of birthright citizenship.

Appeals court: Trump officials’ defiance over Abrego Garcia’s deportation is ‘shocking’

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court says it is “shocking” that The Trump administration claims it can’t do anything to free Kilmar Abrego Garcia from an El Salvador prison and return him to the U.S. A three-judge panel from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday unanimously refused to suspend a judge’s decision to order sworn testimony by Trump administration officials to determine if they complied with her instruction to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, who was nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan, wrote that he and his two colleagues “cling to the hope that it is not naïve to believe our good brethren in the Executive Branch perceive the rule of law as vital to the American ethos.”

Colo. man convicted of killing his wife and posing as ex-boyfriend and stalking her

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man has been convicted of killing his wife after prosecutors say he posed as her ex-boyfriend and stalked her. Jurors reached the verdict in the trial of Daniel Krug on Thursday. With his marriage falling apart, prosecutors said he decided to play “puppet master” by scaring his wife and trying to win her back by protecting her from the fake stalking. But when he realized he might be found out, prosecutors say he decided to kill his wife to silence her and because she didn’t want to be with him anymore. The defense stressed there was no physical evidence linking Daniel Krug to the violent killing.

Menendez brothers resentencing hearing is paused over a governor’s risk report

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles judge has paused a hearing on whether Erik and Lyle Menendez should receive reduced sentences. The brothers were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents in 1989. The judge called for a long recess Thursday to determine whether a risk assessment report of the brothers from the California governor’s office could be used in the proceedings. Menendez attorney Mark Geragos condemned District Attorney Nathan Hochman for talking about the report during a news conference outside the courthouse when the defense hadn’t even seen it. Prosecutors say the report is a vital tool and have asked for a postponement so all the parties can consider it.