Supreme Court of Wisconsin reinstates $94 million in punitive damages awarded to the families of three ironworkers who were killed when a crane collapsed during the construction of Miller Park: You can access this morning’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin at this link.

In early press coverage, The Associated Press reports that “Award in Miller Park Deaths Overturned.”

The case appears to be far from over, however, as Wisconsin’s highest court remanded the case for further development of the record concerning whether the punitive damages award can survive due process scrutiny.

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson wrote the majority opinion. You can access her “20 questions for the appellate judge” interview from September 2004 at this link.

Notwithstanding that this case involved torts, Justice Prosser was recused.

“First Judge Showdown: Specter asks, ‘Can we agree to disagree?’ Democrats say no.” Byron York has this essay today at National Review Online.

“Prison: Two women want to marry Peterson; He gets several calls of support on his first day on death row.” CNN.com provides this report.

“Trial date set in lawsuit against Sudan for Cole attack”: The Virginian-Pilot reports here today that “A judge has set an Aug. 23 trial date in the case filed against the Republic of Sudan by the families of the victims of the 2000 attack on the destroyer Cole.”

In today’s edition of The Houston Chronicle: An article reports that “Counts against trucker questioned; Some claims in death penalty case concern the judge; meanwhile, prosecution rests.”

And in other news, “Yates divorce finalized; The settlement gives mother a cemetery plot beside the graves of her children.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting: An article reporting on yesterday’s funeral for Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rowland W. Barnes is headlined “Wise, just . . . ‘impish.’”

In related news, “‘Chaos’ reigned outside the courthouse; Suspect hopped train as officers swarm.”

And an article reports that “Rule would make students get permission to join gay clubs.”

“Court: Sunshine Law Is Not Enforceable; Decision Could Affect Access to Federal Advisory Boards.” Today in The New York Sun, Josh Gerstein has this article. I first noted yesterday’s ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a post that you can access here.

“GOP leader to offer compromise on judges; Plan would seek to avoid confrontation over Bush nominees”: This article appears today in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

This letter appears on the web site of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-TN) under the heading “Frist Responds To Senator Reid’s Letter On Judicial Nominations.”

Elsewhere, today in The Orlando Sentinel, Peter A. Brown has an op-ed entitled “Here’s how Bush may win by losing.”

“Disputed Judicial Nominee Clears Senate Panel; William G. Myers III wins the approval of the GOP-led committee, but a showdown is expected with Democrats over the right to filibuster”: Henry Weinstein and Maura Reynolds have this article today in The Los Angeles Times.

The Washington Times reports that “Panel gives nod to Bush judicial nominee.”

And Cox Newspapers report that “‘Nuclear’ moment nears on judges.”