ROCKFORD, Ill. – Authorities in northern Illinois say a college professor and his two sons are those who died in an apparent murder-suicide this weekend. The Winnebago County coroner says 58-year-old Peter S. Ruckman died of gunshot wounds along with 12-year-old John Ruckman and 14-year-old Christopher Ruckman. Sheriff's deputies responded Saturday morning to the home near Rockford … [Read more...]

“It’s really the same story of the #metoo movement, just in a much more dire setting where children are at stake.” At a custody hearing in Allegheny County on May 20, 2016, the 9-year-old boy at the center of the case took the stand and was asked a series of questions. His favorite school subject? Math. His best friend? Drew. His musical instrument of choice? The alto recorder. But according to … [Read more...]

In this country, there may be different degrees of culpability for murder and other crimes. In some instances, a passive or even unwitting participant in a crime may face the same criminal consequences as an active participant. In other circumstances, an active or passive participant in a crime may face a lesser degree of punishment than the actual perpetrator of the crime. In general, anyone who … [Read more...]

In what seems to be a growing trend, a Solano County Family Court judge was served Thursday with a notice of intent to circulate a recall petition. Friday’s action to recall Judge Cynda Riggins-Unger marked the fifth time in five years that advocates have attempted to recall a Solano County Family Court judge, according to the Protective Mothers of Solano County — a committee currently working … [Read more...]