R. Robin McDonald

Daily Report reporter R. Robin McDonald's journalism career includes stints as a staff writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Wichita Eagle, and The Anniston Star and as a trial tracker at CourtTV and CNN. She is the author of two true crime books -- Black Widow: The True Story of the Hilley Poisonings and Secrets Never Lie: The Death of Sara Tokars.

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May 12, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Equifax Judge Orders 'Serial Objectors' to Post Appeal Bonds

U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas Thrash said the objectors' appeals "are not in the best interests of the class."

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

May 08, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Eleventh Circuit Rejects Equifax Objector Ted Frank's Sanctions Motion

Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute litigation director Theodore Frank's sanctions motion is part of a larger fight that class counsel for Equifax consumers are waging to resolve appeals by "serial objectors" that have stalled settlement benefits.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

May 06, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Northern District of Georgia Turns to Zoom as Proceedings Go Remote

It took a pandemic to do it, but a policy that for years barred visual or audio recording devices from the federal courthouse in downtown Atlanta without a court order and prohibited live broadcasts of court proceedings has been loosened to allow remote access.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

May 05, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judge Again Refuses to Nix State Handgun License Law During COVID-19

In an order handed down Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones said that plaintiffs have not pointed to any binding case law to back up their claim that the Second Amendment established a fundamental right to carry a loaded handgun in public venues.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

May 04, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Superior Court Judges Propose Rule Allowing Video Trials

The Georgia Council of Superior Court Judge has proposed amending a court rule to permit non-jury civil trials as well as civil pretrial proceedings to be conducted by remote video conference.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

May 04, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Chief Justice Extends State Judicial Emergency as Shelter-in-Place Orders Expire

As businesses across Georgia have begun reopening, state Supreme Court Justice Harold Melton has extended the statewide judicial emergency, continuing the suspension of civil and criminal trials and barring courts from impaneling new trial or grand juries.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

April 30, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Georgia Voters Ask Judge to Postpone Primary to Implement COVID-19 Safety Plan

The plaintiff voters contend Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's efforts to use absentee ballots has been fraught with problems and delays.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

April 29, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judge Won't Disqualify US Attorney From Handling City Hall Investigation

U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten refused to issue a temporary restraining order sought by Atlanta city CFO Jim Beard after federal prosecutors seized three years of personal emails.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

April 28, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Unwilling to Wait on State Supreme Court, Voters Seek Injunction Over Blackwell Seat

A federal judge has been asked to order reinstatement of the canceled election for Justice Keith Blackwell's seat in what is now a two-front legal battle over whether the voters or the governor will choose Blackwell's successor.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

April 24, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judge Rejects Reality Winner's Petition for Release From Prison Due to COVID-19

Judge Randal Hall noted that, even if he did have authority to commute her sentence, he wouldn't do so.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

R. Robin McDonald

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