Missouri AG Demands Documents from Kansas City Mayor After Controversial Post about Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker

Christian Champagne, the former Sixth Judicial District Attorney, has officially stepped down from his position and accepted a senior counsel role in the office of Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser[2b66f15b]. In his new role, Champagne will provide advice and support to rural district attorneys across the state[2b66f15b]. Reflecting on his time as district attorney, Champagne highlighted the significant reduction of court cases filed in the 6th Judicial District by 36%[2b66f15b]. He emphasized the importance of ensuring timely hearings and trials for individuals in the justice system[2b66f15b]. Champagne expressed pride in his work to secure justice for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault[2b66f15b]. He also praised his colleague Sean Murray, who has been sworn in as the new district attorney, stating that he is confident the office is in good hands[2b66f15b]. Despite his new role at the state level, Champagne will continue to work in Durango[2b66f15b].

In a separate news development, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is demanding information about a post on the official city of Kansas City account on the X social media platform that revealed the city of residence of Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker[44114d9d]. The post, which has since been deleted, mentioned the Kansas City suburb where Butker lives[44114d9d]. Bailey believes that Butker was 'doxxed' for expressing his religious beliefs and is demanding the mayor's office turn over communications related to the post[44114d9d]. Butker's controversial remarks during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, including comments about women and the LGBTQ community, drew criticism from the NFL but support from religious conservative figures[44114d9d]. The Missouri Attorney General's office is investigating the incident as a potential case of religious discrimination[44114d9d]. The mayor's office has not yet responded to the demand for documents[44114d9d].

Meanwhile, in Aurora, Illinois, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain and State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser presented at Aurora University to discuss their roles in the criminal justice system[81c70bc5]. The presentation, which took place in Aurora University’s banquet hall, was attended by about 100 AU social work and criminal justice students[81c70bc5]. Brandon Kooi, a criminal justice professor, moderated the session[81c70bc5]. Mosser, who is up for reelection, is also an adjunct faculty member in AU’s Plus One criminal justice Master’s degree program[81c70bc5].

In other news, Jenny Roberts, a criminal justice expert and professor of law at American University Washington College of Law, has been appointed as the dean of the Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law in New York[81c70bc5] [d6226ee4]. Roberts, who has been teaching at AUWCL for 14 years, will succeed Julian Ku as the dean, starting on July 1[81c70bc5] [d6226ee4]. She will bring her expertise in criminal justice to lead Hofstra Law and contribute to the development of legal education[81c70bc5] [d6226ee4].

Additionally, Courtney M. Porter, PhD, has been honored by Marquis Who's Who for her expertise in higher education and criminology[51b21935]. Dr. Porter serves as an assistant professor at Marymount University and has played a key role in revamping the forensic and legal psychology program[51b21935]. Her research interests include juvenile justice, policy outcomes, identity barriers, and professional development in academia[51b21935]. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Porter held positions in research and development for Fairfax County Government's Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and at George Mason University[51b21935]. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Arts in forensic and legal psychology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in criminology, law, and society[51b21935]. Dr. Porter is involved in professional affiliations and has plans to organize a summer summit for master's students' professional development and secure tenure through an upcoming review process. She also aims to expand her independent consulting work, evaluating programs within the criminal justice system[51b21935].

In Kansas, prosecutor Terra Morehead is surrendering her law license after being exposed for years of corruption and framing innocent people[88d860ce]. Morehead retired in August 2023 but is now facing disciplinary consequences for breaking her oath to uphold justice[88d860ce]. One of her victims, Lamonte McIntyre, was released from prison in 2017 after being wrongly convicted of a double homicide in 1994[88d860ce]. Morehead coerced a woman named Niko Quinn to falsely testify against McIntyre under threat of losing her children and being sent to prison[88d860ce]. The Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys suggested to the Kansas Supreme Court that all preliminary trials be skipped, and the court approved the request for formal disbarment[88d860ce].

In Washington D.C., Trump lawyer John Eastman's law license has been temporarily suspended by the D.C. Court of Appeals[0704a290]. This decision comes after a similar recommendation for disbarment in California[0704a290]. California State Bar Court Judge Yvette Roland rejected Eastman's request to lift his license suspension, stating that he failed to demonstrate that he no longer presents a threat to the public[0704a290].

Duane 'DAK' Kees, the former U.S. attorney for the western district of Arkansas, was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice for misconduct[ed7df6ce]. Kees began an intimate relationship with a subordinate within months of being sworn in as U.S. attorney in 2018, and the relationship lasted about seven months[ed7df6ce]. The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General report from November 2021 concluded that Kees committed misconduct by engaging in a relationship with an employee that he supervised and that he used poor judgment[ed7df6ce]. The report also stated that the relationship affected Kees' decisions regarding personnel matters in the U.S. Attorney's Office[ed7df6ce]. Kees stepped down as U.S. attorney and accepted a job with Tyson Foods as chief counsel for global investigations and regulatory compliance, but has since resigned from that position as well[ed7df6ce]. Kees was also appointed to the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, but he has also resigned from that position[ed7df6ce].