Vol. CXXXII · No. XCVSUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026Ocean State Edition

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95 articles · page 2 of 8
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Newport police identify mother's son as prime suspect in Harbor Base Inn homicide, suspect died by suicide

Newport Police identified Bernard Costello, 66, as the primary suspect in the stabbing death of his mother, Terry Costello, 85, found dead in Room 132 of the Harbor Base Inn on May 18. Officers discovered the body while attempting to notify Terry that Bernard had jumped to his death from the Mount Hope Bridge earlier that morning. The State Medical Examiner's Office is conducting an autopsy; police said the case is being investigated as a homicide and believe it was an isolated incident with no public-safety threat.

thenewportbuzz.comMAY 21, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Texas federal judge orders Rhode Island Hospital to produce transgender records for in camera review

Chief Judge Reed O'Connor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ordered Rhode Island Hospital to produce transgender youth medical records for sealed, in-camera review by midnight Monday, despite a Rhode Island judge having quashed the DOJ subpoena days earlier. Rhode Island's Office of the Child Advocate sought emergency relief from the First Circuit to block the transfer. The hospital said it would comply with redacted records, citing DOJ agreement not to require sensitive personal health information.

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rhodeislandcurrent.comMAY 20, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal court in Boston appoints special counsel to investigate DOJ attorney conduct in RI immigration case

The U.S. District Court in Rhode Island appointed a special counsel to investigate alleged misconduct by a senior Justice Department attorney in an immigration case, a rare step designed to ensure accountability when other federal courts have faced stonewalling. Legal experts say the move reflects federal judges' frustration with DOJ's conduct during the Trump administration, including misleading representations and refusal to comply with court orders.

abc17news.comMAY 20, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island residents file lawsuit over sewer collapse, claim city stonewalled damages

Anne Bergeron filed suit against Providence nearly a year after a July 2025 sewer main collapse on Blackstone Boulevard flooded multiple homes with raw sewage, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Bergeron and neighbors say the city has offered no communication or compensation. She cites a March 2025 city infrastructure report showing over 60% of Providence's system is failing, arguing the city is avoiding responsibility. At least five homes were severely impacted.

turnto10.comMAY 20, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Federal Judge Quashes DOJ Subpoena for RI Hospital Transgender Youth Records

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy quashed a Justice Department subpoena demanding sensitive medical records of transgender minors treated at Rhode Island Hospital, ruling the DOJ "misrepresented and withheld information" from the court and acted in bad faith. McElroy found the subpoena lacked congressional authority, was issued for improper purposes, and violated children's constitutional privacy rights. Seven other federal courts have similarly blocked identical DOJ subpoenas nationwide.

golocalprov.comMAY 19, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Community Lawyer Resigns From Providence Police Review Board After Ethics Ruling

Attorney Shannah Kurland resigned from the Providence External Review Authority after the Rhode Island Ethics Commission ruled she was "prohibited by the Code of Ethics from serving" due to a conflict of interest. Kurland regularly represents civil plaintiffs alleging Providence police misconduct, creating a nexus the commission found "too close" to her public duties on the civilian oversight board. The council will seek to fill the vacancy promptly.

golocalprov.comMAY 19, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Clergy abuse survivors warn Senate's 'curveball' could thwart revival window bill

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse and attorney Mitchell Garabedian criticized the Senate Judiciary Committee's plan to seek a Supreme Court advisory opinion on the revival window bill, calling it a last-minute maneuver to kill the legislation. Garabedian stated, 'They could have done this months ago. It's just revictimizing sexual abuse victims.' The House passed the bill 68-5 in April after AG Neronha recommended it in his March report on Diocese of Providence abuse.

bostonglobe.comMAY 18, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

DHS general counsel defends criticism of RI judge in Gómez habeas case

Department of Homeland Security General Counsel James Percival published an opinion piece doubling down on criticism of U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose, who released Bryan Rafael Gómez from ICE custody without being informed he faced a homicide warrant in the Dominican Republic. Percival argued DuBose "had no authority" to release Gómez and blamed her "reckless disregard for the law" for the situation. The case has sparked a federal-state jurisdictional dispute and public debate over prosecutorial candor.

bostonglobe.comMAY 17, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

RI Judge Quashes DOJ Subpoena for Transgender Youth Medical Records

U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy blocked the Department of Justice from obtaining medical records of transgender minors treated at Rhode Island Hospital, ruling the subpoena was issued in "bad faith" and constituted a "fishing expedition." McElroy criticized DOJ attorneys for misleading a Texas judge who had ordered compliance, calling their conduct a "reckless disregard for the duty of candor." Seven other federal courts have previously blocked similar DOJ subpoena attempts nationwide.

bostonglobe.comMAY 15, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryPaywall

RI Senate considers asking Supreme Court for opinion on clergy abuse bill constitutionality

Rather than vote on legislation allowing previously expired civil claims against institutions that enabled clergy sexual abuse, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee will consider asking the state Supreme Court for a constitutional opinion. The House voted 68-5 on April 7 to pass a bill opening a revival window for such claims. Attorney General Peter Neronha recommended passage in his March report on Diocese of Providence clergy sexual abuse. The Senate balked at similar legislation last year.

bostonglobe.comMAY 15, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Man Remains at Large Week After Judge Orders ICE Re-Detain Him

Bryan Rafael Gómez, an undocumented immigrant wanted on a homicide warrant in the Dominican Republic, remains missing more than a week after US District Judge Melissa R. DuBose ordered ICE to re-detain him. Gómez was initially released after the federal government failed to disclose the foreign warrant to the court. DuBose ordered his re-detention on May 5, but ICE has not located him; his attorney reports no one has been able to reach him. The case has sparked a disciplinary investigation into DOJ conduct.

bostonglobe.comMAY 14, 2026
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