Vol. CXXXII · No. CLXXXIFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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181 articles · page 9 of 16
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RI Senate passes bill reducing misdemeanor maximum sentence by one day to shield immigrants from deportation

The Rhode Island Senate voted 33–5 to pass legislation reducing the maximum misdemeanor sentence from 365 days to 364 days, shielding noncitizens from automatic federal detention or deportation for convictions punishable by a year or more. Sponsored by Senator Jonathan Acosta, the bill now heads to the House, where similar versions have stalled at committee for six years. Eight other states have adopted 364-day caps; the bill is supported by civil liberties and immigration groups.

bostonglobe.comMAY 21, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Kent County Superior Court arraignment: Warwick man pleads not guilty to 17-count drug, weapons indictment

Jason Kahian, 32, pleaded not guilty in Kent County Superior Court to a 17-count indictment stemming from a November bust that uncovered a gun, ammunition, and over 6 kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Prosecutors sought detention without bail, calling Kahian an "imminent danger," but Superior Court Judge accepted defense arguments and set bail at $350,000 surety. Kahian's doormat reading "Come Back With A Warrant" became a focal point; police already had a warrant when they arrived.

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turnto10.comMAY 21, 2026
JudiciaryCommunity

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.

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
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