Real IRA leader loses legal aid in civil suit by relatives of bombing victims News
Real IRA leader loses legal aid in civil suit by relatives of bombing victims

[JURIST] A UK judge Friday upheld the withdrawal of legal aid funding for Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt in his High Court case against relatives of victims in the Omagh bombing. The Legal Services Commission, the UK public legal services agency, withdrew aid to McKevitt after ruling that he lied on his application. McKevitt and four others are being sued for 14 million pounds by the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group, made up of relatives of the 28 people killed in the 1998 bombing claimed by the Real IRA. McKevitt is also serving a 20-year prison sentence in the Republic of Ireland for directing terrorism. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.