Free Republic

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was reportedly absent from the bench Monday as the court reconvened for its new term. Chief Justice John Roberts said in his opening remarks that Thomas was "indisposed" due to an illness but said the conservative judge would still be participating in deciding the three cases the court is hearing arguments about, according to Reuters. Details of Thomas's illness were not immediately disclosed. SNIP

The U.S. Supreme Court kicked off its new nine-month term with a flurry of activity on Monday, hearing arguments in three cases and rejecting numerous appeals that piled up over the summer. With conservative Justice Clarence Thomas absent due to an unspecified illness, the court began hearing its first argument in a case focusing on whether states can discard the so-called insanity defense in criminal prosecutions. The case involved a man sentenced to death in Kansas for fatally shooting four family members while suffering from severe depression. In remarks from the bench before the first argument, Chief Justice John Roberts...

registration; a moose hunter gets a second chance The Supreme Court’s calendar features cases on endangered species and excessive fines, as well as litigation over sex-offender registration that could have broad constitutional ramifications. The Supreme Court’s calendar features cases on endangered species and excessive fines, as well as litigation over sex-offender registration that could have broad constitutional ramifications. Photo: yuri gripas/Reuters By Brent Kendall and Jess Bravin Updated Sept. 30, 2018 5:15 p.m. ET WASHINGTON—An eight-member Supreme Court, divided by ideology and clouded by uncertainty, returns for a new term Monday, facing a docket of workmanlike disputes while senators battle...