Vinn is the Delaware Judiciary's new comfort dog. (Delaware Judiciary photo)

Comfort dog joins Delaware Judiciary staff

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

A comfort dog has joined the staff of the Delaware courts system. “The courthouse does not have to be a scary place,” said Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz Jr. “We believe the services of Officer Vinn will help make the Justice Center more welcoming, or at least not as stressful, particularly for children involved in court proceedings.” Vinn is a …

Superior Court Judge William Carpenter Jr.

Longest-serving Superior Court judge to retire

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s longest-serving Superior Court judge will retire after 30 years on the bench, court administrators announced Wednesday. Judge William Carpenter Jr. will step down Dec. 31, 2022, he said in a letter to Gov. John Carney in October. “While it is always difficult to walk away from a job that you have found so rewarding, my time has come,” Carpenter …

Mail-in voting

Delaware judge halts mail-in voting

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A Chancery Court judge has ruled Delaware’s new mail-in voting provision unconstitutional. In an 87-page memorandum opinion issued Wednesday afternoon, Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook said allowing mail-in voting in the Nov. 8 general election “will result in the dilution of constitutional votes with unconstitutional votes.” Cook issued an injunction that will prevent the Department of Elections from accepting applications for …

McGuiness

Prosecution rests in auditor trial, defense to wrap up soon

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The State of Delaware rested its case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness Tuesday after eight and a half days of testimony. McGuiness’ defense team began presenting its case and hopes to wrap it up by Wednesday afternoon.  Defense attorney Steve Wood asked Superior Court Judge William Carpenter to issue a judgment of acquittal on each of the five charges against …

Kathy McGuiness

McGuiness trial expected to begin Tuesday in Dover

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Jury selection in the case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness has been set for Monday in Kent County. Assuming jury selection goes according to plan, court officials expect opening arguments to begin Tuesday. The trial was moved from Wilmington to Dover after McGuiness’s defense attorney objected to hearing the case in a different county than the auditor’s office.  McGuiness was …