From its Oct. 16 conference, the Supreme Court on Monday issued an order list that denied review in several high-profile disputes. In a brief order, the justices declined to take up a challenge to Chicago's practice of seizing and selling vehicles whose owners have as few as two unpaid parking tickets. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, wrote a statement saying she had 'serious concerns about' the lower court's decision but argued the issue should wait until more appellate courts weigh in.
Also denied were petitions from Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and other 9/11 defendants seeking to reinstate plea agreements that would have traded guilty pleas for life sentences instead of the death penalty. The D.C. Circuit had sided with the government after then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin moved to withdraw consent. Justice Brett Kavanaugh did not participate in Mohammad's case.
In the third case, the court declined to review Gwynne Wilcox's challenge to President Trump's removal of her from the National Labor Relations Board. The D.C. Circuit had upheld the removal, finding that the statutory for-cause protection violates separation of powers. The court also left in place a copyright ruling because four justices recused themselves, leaving no quorum, and asked the solicitor general for views in an Iowa case about criminal penalties for illegal reentry.