Roberts helped gay rights activists win Supreme Court case News
Roberts helped gay rights activists win Supreme Court case

[JURIST] Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts [JURIST news archive] helped gay rights activists win a key Supreme Court battle in the 1996 Romer v. Evans case [opinion] while doing pro bono work at Hogan and Hartson [firm website]. While Roberts didn't write a brief or argue before the Supreme Court, several lawyers involved with the case said he was "instrumental" in doing behind-the-scenes work that helped overturn a provision of the Colorado constitution that the court found discriminated against homosexuals. However, the work is not necessarily indicative of how Roberts would rule on such matters if confirmed to the Supreme Court, rather it shows his skill at advocating his client's position. No other cases or comments seem to suggest his personal position on gay rights. The LA Times 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.