Archive for July, 2008

Federal Court Rules Against Bush Administration on Subpoenas

Published 1, July 31, 2008 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 23 Comments

For months, many experts (including myself) have been arguing that the Bush Administration’s claim of privilege in the congressional investigations (and the refusal to comply with subpoenas) is untenable, if not laughable. Nevertheless, Attorney General Mukasey has refused to allow a grand jury to see the evidence of the criminal contempt by Bush Administration officials. Now, a federal judge has ruled against the Administration. Judge John Bates has found that the Administration must comply with the subpoenas in the cases of he president’s chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former legal counsel Harriet Miers on the firing of nine U.S. Attorneys. The decision not only puts pressure on Mukasey to stop his obstruction of the process, but it clearly reaffirms the view of many that Karl Rove is also in flagrant contempt.

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Speaker Pelosi Declares That There is No Evidence of Any Crime by President Bush

Published 1, July 31, 2008 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Media , Politics , Society 57 Comments

After blocking any serious investigation or impeachment hearings on crimes committed by President Bush, Speaker Nancy Pelosi finally addressed the allegations of presidential crimes on that forum of deep intellectual and legal thought: the television show The View. She agreed to answer a question from Joy Behar, who will have to suffice as a substitute for Peter Rodino. In a perfectly bizarre moment, Pelosi stated that there is simply no evidence of any crime committed by the President despite the findings of the International Red Cross, various international groups, and a legion of constitutional experts. It seems that America has now had its impeachment hearing before the august body of Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Joy Bahar, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. If you feared that our democracy is de-evolving into a caricature of itself, just watch this video.

Continue reading ‘Speaker Pelosi Declares That There is No Evidence of Any Crime by President Bush’

Afghan Journalist Faces Death if Convicted of Blasphemy — and Death If He Is Acquitted

Published 1, July 31, 2008 Uncategorized 16 Comments

In Afghanistan, journalist Ghaws Zalmay faces the death penalty for printing a translation of the Koran (Qur’an) in in Dari, one of Afghanistan’s official languages. Yet, even if he is acquitted religious leaders are promising that he will still be put to death for his blasphemy as required under Sharia law. It is certainly a good thing that we got the Taliban out of power.

Continue reading ‘Afghan Journalist Faces Death if Convicted of Blasphemy — and Death If He Is Acquitted’

Evangelical Preacher Arrested for Murder of Wife Found in Freezer

Published 1, July 31, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 9 Comments

In a scene reminiscent of Robert Duvall’s character in The Apostle, Evangelist Anthony Hopkins, 37, was preaching on forgiveness when the police arrived to arrest him for the murder of his wife. The arrest in Mobile, Alabama, came after a relative alerted police to a body in a freezer in his home with eight children. His wife 36-year-old Arletha Hopkins hasn’t been seen for three years.
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High Caliber Entertainment: Disney Loses Challenge to Florida Gun Law: Employees May Start to Bring Guns to the Magic Kingdom

Published 1, July 31, 2008 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 24 Comments

A federal judge in Jacksonville, Florida has ruled against Disney in its effort to block employees from bringing guns to work under a new state law. However, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle did uphold the right of the company to bar customers from bringing guns. This means that Grumby can now pack a sidearm as the ultimate disgruntled employees arrives each morning for work.
Continue reading ‘High Caliber Entertainment: Disney Loses Challenge to Florida Gun Law: Employees May Start to Bring Guns to the Magic Kingdom’

Jail Bait High: Texas High School to Force Troublemakers to Wear Prison Jumpsuits

Published 1, July 30, 2008 Academics , Bizarre , Society 20 Comments

Gonzales High School educators seem to believe that outfitting their students like prisoners is good training for American society in the twenty-first century. They have purchased the jumpsuits for violators of the school dress code. The biggest surprise is that the school was not named after former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales but the Texas town itself.

Continue reading ‘Jail Bait High: Texas High School to Force Troublemakers to Wear Prison Jumpsuits’

Police Officers Honored After Raiding Wrong Home and Shooting Up House Occupied by a Family of Eight

Published 1, July 30, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 8 Comments

One can certainly understand why the Khang family is a bit confused. This week the Minneapolis police department gave awards to eight police officers who raided the wrong home last year and exchanged gunfire with the father of six who thought that the house was being burglarized. The police have apologized for shooting up the home containing Khang, his wife, and six children aged 3 to 15. It didn’t help much. The house was destroyed and they could not afford to fix it up — and ultimately lost the house altogether.

Continue reading ‘Police Officers Honored After Raiding Wrong Home and Shooting Up House Occupied by a Family of Eight’

Pool Company President Criminally Charged in Death of Six-Year-Old Boy From Drain Accident

Published 1, July 30, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society , Torts 3 Comments

There is an interesting criminal case in Connecticut that falls on the borderline between criminal law and torts. The president of a residential pool company was criminally charged with manslaughter for the death of six-year-old Zachary Cohn, who drowned after having his arm caught in a pool drain. Prosecutors allege that David Lionetti, president of Shoreline Pools, knew of the problem with the drain. This is only the latest tragic death involving such drains in pools, click here.

Continue reading ‘Pool Company President Criminally Charged in Death of Six-Year-Old Boy From Drain Accident’

Shock Video: Police Officer Under Investigation After Video Shows Him Body-Checking Bicyclist

Published 1, July 30, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments

A New York City officer is under investigation after the video below showed him body-checking a bicyclist at a Times Square demonstration called the Critical Mass Ride. What is astonishing is that The biker, Christopher Long, of Hoboken, N.J., was arrested because he was obstructing traffic in the heart of Times Square, a criminal complaint said. He was charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. The officer has now been identified as Patrick Pogan, a 22-year-old rookie cop. click here. Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Police Officer Under Investigation After Video Shows Him Body-Checking Bicyclist’

AYSOS: Father and Three Men Kidnap and Torture Teen Over Mistaken Belief that He Sent Harassing Text Messages to Daughter

Published 1, July 30, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 15 Comments

In England, James McPhilbin (the first pictured man) was facing a common concern as a father. He was told that a teen boy was sending his daughter harassing text messages. Where most dads would call the parents or even speak to the boy, James’ nephew, Anthony McPhilbin, and two men (Alex Duff and Anthony Morton — shown above) decided to kidnap the kid. He was then taken to an apartment, torturing and stabbed with a knife. The 17-year-old proved to be innocent and the four men proved the value of AYSOS as a text message.
Continue reading ‘AYSOS: Father and Three Men Kidnap and Torture Teen Over Mistaken Belief that He Sent Harassing Text Messages to Daughter’

Senator Ted Stevens Indicted — At Last

Published 1, July 29, 2008 Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 20 Comments

For many years, Ted Stevens has been the virtual symbol of corruption in Washington, making himself a multimillionaire while serving in Congress. Despite detailed accounts of the shady dealings of Stevens and his family, Alaskans continued to return him to Washington where he and colleagues like Don Young tarnished the reputation of both houses. He is now a criminally indicted defendant, though the current allegations constitute small change in comparison to some of the past controversies surrounding the Stevens clan. The Stevens indictment is below.

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Federal Court Upholds Sentences of Border Agents Ramos and Compean

Published 1, July 29, 2008 Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 25 Comments

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has upheld the controversial sentences of former Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean for the shooting of an unarmed illegal immigrant and admitted drug smuggler — and then lying about the incident. While the court vacated the convictions on tampering with an official proceeding, it left the rest of the case intact — upholding the lengthy sentences for both men.

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Ohio Re-Opens Notorious Murder Case: Charges Morgue Employee for Sexual Assault of Corpse

Published 1, July 29, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments

A truly bizarre case has been docketed in Cincinnati where Ohio citizens (and family members of a victim) are having to revisit one of the state’s most heinous murders. Kenneth Douglas, 55, has been charged with sexual assault of a corpse in 1982 when he worked as a morgue attendant. He was discovered through DNA evidence in an obviously disgusting case but one that raises some pretty difficult legal questions. It is also a case where police assumed that the man who murdered Karen Range must have been the same person who raped her but the evidence did not match his blood type. It turned out far worse than they imagined.
Continue reading ‘Ohio Re-Opens Notorious Murder Case: Charges Morgue Employee for Sexual Assault of Corpse’

Make Love Not War: France Deals With a Outburst of Affection at Vimy Memorial

Published 1, July 29, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 13 Comments

France is dealing with a uniquely French crime wave: people stripping or having sex at the World War I memorial to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. As with a growing number of cases in the United States of crimes caught on YouTube, the latest couple was caught after they posted their liaison on the Internet.
Continue reading ‘Make Love Not War: France Deals With a Outburst of Affection at Vimy Memorial’

Uncle Sam Wants You, or Else: Media Catches Military Recruiter Lying and Threatening Teenager

Published 1, July 29, 2008 Bizarre , Military , Society 21 Comments

Irving Gonzalez signed a non-binding contract with the Army that allowed him to back out of joining the military at any time before appearing for boot camp. However, Army recruiter Sgt. Glenn Marquette was not going to lose a sale to a little act of free will, so he lied to the teenager — threatening jail time if he didn’t show up. The Army responded quickly. They reprimanded Marquette and then later quietly promoted him.
Continue reading ‘Uncle Sam Wants You, or Else: Media Catches Military Recruiter Lying and Threatening Teenager’

Report: Bush Administration Officials Violated Federal Law and Politicized Hiring at the Justice Department

Published 1, July 28, 2008 Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 42 Comments

The Justice Department Inspector General Office has completed its review of allegations of violations of federal law by Bush officials in the hiring of prosecutors and immigration judges. The 140-page report found that former Alberto Gonzales aides Monica Goodling or former Gonzales chief of staff Kyle Sampson broke federal law and used politics rather than merit to select both attorneys and immigration judges. This will be the subject of my discussion tonight on MSNBC Countdown, click here.

Continue reading ‘Report: Bush Administration Officials Violated Federal Law and Politicized Hiring at the Justice Department’

Marital Splat: Man Charged with Driving Around With Wife on Roof

Published 1, July 28, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 16 Comments

Now this makes for an interesting vehicular assault charge: the victim was not in front of the car or even under the car, but on its roof. Diamond Mircea, 29, of Islip Terrace, N.Y., is charged with assault and drunk driving when he took off with his wife, Monica Mircea, 25, on the roof of his car. She fell off a block later. They were only recently married though the minister may have left out the reservation of “Till Brakes Do Us Apart.”

Continue reading ‘Marital Splat: Man Charged with Driving Around With Wife on Roof’

Getting Right with God: Church Shooter Allegedly Targeted Knoxville Church Due to its Liberal Views

Published 1, July 28, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 158 Comments

Knoxville, Tenn. police has released a statement that a letter in the car of church shooter Jim D. Adkisson reveals that he targeted the congregation due to its liberal views on civil liberties and women’s and gay rights. Adkisson killed two people at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in the middle of a children’s performance.

Continue reading ‘Getting Right with God: Church Shooter Allegedly Targeted Knoxville Church Due to its Liberal Views’

U.S. Military Admits to Killing Three Innocent Iraqis By Spraying Their Car with Hundreds of Rounds

Published 1, July 28, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Military , Society 19 Comments

It is certainly becoming more and more clear why the Iraqi government wants a date for the withdrawal of our troops from their territory. The U.S. military has admitted that it killed a man and two women on their way to a bank by spraying their car with hundreds of rounds. Moreover, it is now clear that the military gave false information after the killings to the public and the media. Iraqi officials are now calling it murder while the military insists that the soldiers acted correctly.

Continue reading ‘U.S. Military Admits to Killing Three Innocent Iraqis By Spraying Their Car with Hundreds of Rounds’

Correctional Fluid: Omaha Drunken Driver Tries to Hide Intoxication by Drinking White Out at Station

Published 1, July 28, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 5 Comments

In Omaha, Nebraska, Juan Briceno had a sudden flash of brilliance. Before the police administered his breathalyzer, he downed a bottle of Wite-Out on the officer’s desk. It turns out that white out does not affect the alcohol in your system. It does, however, turn your tongue and lips white. The video is linked below.
Continue reading ‘Correctional Fluid: Omaha Drunken Driver Tries to Hide Intoxication by Drinking White Out at Station’

Serbia Refuses to Extradite Basketball Star Accused of Brutal Assault on College Student

Published 1, July 28, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 10 Comments

The United States Senate is getting involved in a growing conflict between the United States and Serbia over the unlawful flight of Miladin Kovacevic, a star basketball player who was on bail for an assault on college student, Bryan Steinhauer. Both were students at Binghamton College. Steinhauer has been in a coma since the attack and now weighs only 100 pounds.

Continue reading ‘Serbia Refuses to Extradite Basketball Star Accused of Brutal Assault on College Student’

Show Stopper: Iran Hangs 30 People

Published 1, July 27, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 23 Comments

Iran will impress the world today with a demonstration of its technical abilities by hanging 30 people for a variety of crimes from drug possession to simple felonies, including disturbing public safety and security, being a public nuisance while drunk and being involved in illegal relationships. Iran is second only to China in its rate of execution. China currently has the lead with 470 last year to Iran’s 317. This will, however, make a bent in the deficit.
Continue reading ‘Show Stopper: Iran Hangs 30 People’

Shock Video: Toledo Minister Beaten and Tasered After Alleged Joke to Security Guards

Published 1, July 27, 2008 Criminal law , Society 36 Comments

Rev. Al Poisson may be looking for some new material. The minister claims that he merely made a passing joke to a security guard when he was dragged out of a hospital, beaten, and tasered. Regardless of the catalyst, the video below has raised some serious questions on the level of force being used on this 66-year-old minister.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Toledo Minister Beaten and Tasered After Alleged Joke to Security Guards’

Outraged by Picture of Israeli Soldiers Shooting of Handcuffed Palestinian, Israeli Commentator Objects to Palestinians Being Given Cameras

Published 1, July 27, 2008 Bizarre , Justice , Media , Military , Politics , Society 52 Comments

Prominent journalist and radio host Uri Orbach has a curious sense of outrage. In a column, Orbach describes the outcry after the release of a recent picture of a handcuffed Palestinian being shot by an Israeli soldier with a rubber bullet at close range. Instead of decrying the need for better training or calling for justice, however, Orbach is infuriated that Palestinians have been given cameras to allow them to record such abuses.
Continue reading ‘Outraged by Picture of Israeli Soldiers Shooting of Handcuffed Palestinian, Israeli Commentator Objects to Palestinians Being Given Cameras’

Bermudan President’s Son and Well-Known Doctor Arrested for Sexual Assault

Published 1, July 27, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 2 Comments

Dr. Kevin Antario Brown is a well known figure in high society. He is the son of was Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown and runs a medical charity. Now, he is accused of molesting eight patients, including a 15-year-old teenager. The case is particularly serious given the use of an undercover agent — an element that heavily influences a jury.

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4COL d00d! Man Arrested After Hitting and Killing Pedestrian While Texting and Driving

Published 1, July 27, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 5 Comments

In York, Pa., Brian Widmayer, 21, has been charged with a crime for our times: killing a man by running over him while text messaging. David Peters, 43, was walking across the street when Widmayer was responding to a text message and driving through an intersection.
Continue reading ’4COL d00d! Man Arrested After Hitting and Killing Pedestrian While Texting and Driving’

Not-So-Noble Savage: Court Dismisses Michael Savage’s Lawsuit Against Islamic Group

Published 1, July 26, 2008 Bizarre , Courts , Religion , Society , Torts 26 Comments

In an earlier blog, we discussed a clearly meritless lawsuit by rabid radio take show host Michael Savage, here. A federal judge in San Francisco dismissed the conservative commentator’s lawsuit against Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, for copyright infringement.

Continue reading ‘Not-So-Noble Savage: Court Dismisses Michael Savage’s Lawsuit Against Islamic Group’

Using Tasers Over Mace: Police Taser Teenage Boy With Broken Back Up to 19 Times

Published 1, July 26, 2008 Uncategorized 53 Comments

In Ozark, Missouri, a family is wondering why their 16-year-old son Mace Hutchinson was hit by tasers up to 19 times after he fell (or jumped) from an overpass and broke his back.

Continue reading ‘Using Tasers Over Mace: Police Taser Teenage Boy With Broken Back Up to 19 Times’

McCain Proposes American Version of the Prime Minister Question Session

Published 1, July 26, 2008 Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 37 Comments

Sen. John McCain has proposed the adoption of an American version of the Prime Minister Question Session where he would appear before the Senate regularly for unscripted exchanges. I have long advocated such a tradition in the United States and it was the subject of a NPR story.

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Clipped: Wisconin Man Arrested After Shooting Lawn Boy

Published 1, July 26, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 4 Comments

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Keith Walendowski, 56, was upset with his lawn mower, which refused to start. In classic Bill Mauldin fashion, he then proceeded to shoot the lawn boy. He is now charged with a felony for possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle and a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct while armed.

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Dial M for Martini: Women Charged With Killing Husband With Cocktail Glass

Published 1, July 26, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 7 Comments

In Robert Dahl’s essay, Lamb to the Slaughter, the wife kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and then destroys the evidence by feeding it to the investigators. In Newark, N.J., 76-year-old Marlene Mackenzie was certainly as creative but not nearly as successful: she killed 80-year-old Robert Mackenzie by throwing a cocktail glass at his head.
Continue reading ‘Dial M for Martini: Women Charged With Killing Husband With Cocktail Glass’

National Enquirer Reporters File Criminal Complaint in Edwards Controversy

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society , Torts 22 Comments

National Enquirer reporters Alan Butterfield and Alexander Hitchen have filed a criminal complaint with the Beverly Hills Police Department against the security staff of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The paper is also not backing off from its story — virtually daring Edwards to file a defamation lawsuit.

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Last Lecture: Professor Randy Pausch Dies

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Academics , Society 9 Comments

Carnegie Mellon University professor Dr. Randy Pausch, 47, died of pancreatic cancer today. Pausch inspired the nation with his “last lecture,” a moving discussion of his life and his approaching death. This story became the subject of a best seller and his lecture below was viewed by millions.

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Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Accused of Assault on Police Deputy

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 13 Comments

Detroit politicians continue their almost daily contributions to the criminal blogs and blotters. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is now being investigated for allegedly assaulting a deputy accompanying an investigator for the Wayne County prosecutor at the home of the mayor’s sister. The officers were attempting to serve a subpoena on Bobby Ferguson, a city contractor and close friend of Kilpatrick. The mayor’s sister, Ayanna Kilpatrick, is married to Daniel Ferguson, a cousin of Bobby Ferguson.
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L.A. Times Bars Bloggers From Covering Edwards Affair Story

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Uncategorized 22 Comments

In an extraordinary act of self-censorship, the Los Angeles Times has asked its bloggers not to discuss the Edwards story about his alleged affair and child with Rielle Hunter. The story was broken by the National Enquirer after allegedly catching Edwards at a hotel with the woman.

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The Thin Blog Line: Memphis Police Chief Godwin Sues to Learn Identity of Anonymous Bloggers

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Criminal law , Politics , Society 6 Comments

Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and the city of Memphis appear to have such excess of amounts of money and time that they have decided to pursue Internet bloggers critical of their work. They have filed to try to learn who has been filing critical entries under MPD Enforcer 2.0.
Continue reading ‘The Thin Blog Line: Memphis Police Chief Godwin Sues to Learn Identity of Anonymous Bloggers’

“Spam King” Eddie Davidson Escapes from Jail Then Kills Wife, Daughter, and Himself

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Uncategorized 4 Comments

“Spam King” Edward ‘Eddie’ Davidson, his wife and 3-year-old daughter escaped recently from the minimum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado. He has now been found dead after shooting his wife and three-year-old daughter.
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Bad Habit: Nebraska Nun Sentenced for Embezzlement; Seeks to Withdraw Plea

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 7 Comments

There is the Flying Nun and now there is the Embezzling Nun. Sister Barbara Markey, 73, apparently was never quite comfortable with her vow of poverty. She pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $250,000 from the Omaha archdiocese. After she was sentenced to three to five years in prison by an irate Nebraska judge, she asked Judge Thomas Otepka let out of the plea and go to trial.

Continue reading ‘Bad Habit: Nebraska Nun Sentenced for Embezzlement; Seeks to Withdraw Plea’

The Bybee Memo: How to Torture and Avoid a Criminal Charge on Technicality

Published 1, July 25, 2008 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Military , Society 26 Comments

The Bush Administration has released torture memos that reveal the extent to which officials laid the groundwork for a criminal defense in its torture program. The 2002 memos instructed interrogators in a good-faith defense for any claim that they were committing federal crimes.

Continue reading ‘The Bybee Memo: How to Torture and Avoid a Criminal Charge on Technicality’

Rudy’s Son Demands a Mulligan: Andrew Giuliani Sues For Wrongful Dismissal From Duke Team

Published 1, July 24, 2008 Bizarre , Politics , Society , Torts 27 Comments

Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy Giuliani, has gone to court to fight for his right to golf on teh Duke University team. He was recently thrown off the team with little notice or explanation by its coach, O.D. Vincent. The filing is based on a loose theory of contract, even though decisions of eligibility are generally viewed as matter of discretion for university staff.

Continue reading ‘Rudy’s Son Demands a Mulligan: Andrew Giuliani Sues For Wrongful Dismissal From Duke Team’

Max Mosley Wins Privacy Action for Disclosure of Sadomasochistic Nazi-Themed Orgy

Published 1, July 24, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 5 Comments

Formula One racing head Max Mosley has won a lawsuit in London alleging an invasion of privacy by News of the World for their release of pictures and a video of his sadomasochistic fantasy Nazi-themed party with prostitutes. The newspaper was ordered to pay $120,000 plus his legal fees and costs.

Continue reading ‘Max Mosley Wins Privacy Action for Disclosure of Sadomasochistic Nazi-Themed Orgy’

Plain Jane: Judge Orders Name Change for “Talula Does the Hula”

Published 1, July 24, 2008 Bizarre , Courts , Society 11 Comments

A New Zealand judge, Rob Murfitt, has taken custody from parents of a nine-year-old girl so that he can chose a better name than Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.” It is clear that these parents should be under psychiatric analysis, but there is an interesting question of whether you can lose custody, even briefly, for picking a bad name.

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Federal Court Strikes Down Colorado Law Limiting College Scholarships to Exclude “Pervasively Sectarian” Schools

Published 1, July 24, 2008 Constitutional Law , Politics , Religion , Society 26 Comments

A very interesting decision has emerged out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Former law school professor (and potential candidate for the Supreme Court) Michael W. McConnell wrote the opinion that the limitation to colleges other than those “pervasively sectarian” violates the Constitution as discrimination against certain religions.
Continue reading ‘Federal Court Strikes Down Colorado Law Limiting College Scholarships to Exclude “Pervasively Sectarian” Schools’

Man Jailed and Criminally Charged for Theft of 42 Cents

Published 1, July 24, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 10 Comments

When Laslo Mujzer, 43, saw the donations in a Florida mall fountain, he clearly decided that he was a good candidate for charity. He took 42 cents before a woman alerted the mall security force. Now, Mujzer is facing a criminal charge of misdemeanor theft. Bail alone costs $500, leaving him $499.58 short.
Continue reading ‘Man Jailed and Criminally Charged for Theft of 42 Cents’

Something Borrowed, Someone Sued: One Bride Wins $150,000 After Being Jilted While Another is Sued for Being Too “Ugly”

Published 1, July 24, 2008 Bizarre , Religion , Society , Torts 8 Comments

RoseMary Shell was not willing to become just another jilted bride. When Wayne Gibbs refused to be her husband, a personal injury lawyer was willing to say “I do.” Now a Georgia jury has awarded Shell $150,000 for the breaking of a marital contract by her former fiance. In the meantime, a Hindu family in Massachusetts is suing for a contractual breach in an arranged marriage when the girl proved unattractive.
Continue reading ‘Something Borrowed, Someone Sued: One Bride Wins $150,000 After Being Jilted While Another is Sued for Being Too “Ugly”’

Columnist Robert Novak Accused of a Hit and Run in Washington

Published 1, July 23, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society , Torts 58 Comments

Columnist Robert Novak has a reputation for being an aggressive and fast driver. It may now have put him into legal jeopardy. He is accused of hitting a man in his black Corvette who was lawfully crossing in a pedestrian walkway in Washington and then speeding from the scene — only to be stopped a block away by an attorney who chased him on a bicycle. Novak joked in 2001 about his hatred for jaywalkers and the option of running them over. A video of the aftermath is linked below.

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Detroit Descends into Chaos with New Criminal Charges and Investigations

Published 1, July 23, 2008 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 10 Comments

Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac must be wondering why he bothered in 1701 to found the city. Detroit’s government continues its downward spiral toward collapse with new indictments, criminal allegations, and scandal. The federal prosecutors have introduced a superseding indictment alleging more lies from Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick about past affairs. In the meantime, city council members are now under criminal investigation for other crimes while they also engage in bizarre public arguments.

Continue reading ‘Detroit Descends into Chaos with New Criminal Charges and Investigations’

Politics of Adhesion: PM Gordon Glued to Glass in Plane Stupid Stunt

Published 1, July 23, 2008 Bizarre , Politics , Society 7 Comments

Dan Glass, a member of the appropriately named climate change pressure group Plane Stupid, unsuccessfully tried to superglue himself to Prime Minister Gordon at a Downing Street reception. He was unsuccessful and worse yet, the British allowed him to stay at the reception after laughing off the attempt.
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FBI Accused of Trying to Bury Findings That Raised Questions Over DNA Claims

Published 1, July 23, 2008 Criminal law , Justice , Politics , Society 21 Comments

The FBI is accused of launching a coordinated effort to bury the results of a finding by an Arizona crime lab analyst, Kathryn Troyer, that individuals may have very similar DNA profiles. The finding throws into question the claims made in court about the unlikelihood of two individuals sharing such similarities. Where such matches have been portrayed as 1 in 113 billion — a virtual guarantee of conviction — it turns out to be more common. Rather than being concerned over past representations in court and the accuracy of its work, the FBI reportedly worked diligently to stop other analysts from performing the same tests and to discourage any citation to the study.

Continue reading ‘FBI Accused of Trying to Bury Findings That Raised Questions Over DNA Claims’

Oklahoma Couple Arrested in Massive Bestiality Case

Published 1, July 23, 2008 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Environment , Justice , Society 92 Comments

Oklahoma City may have the largest bestiality case in history — and without question the most disgusting. Diane Sue Whalen 54, and Donald Roy Seigfried, 55, are accused of training their dogs to have sex with Whalen and other women. Whalen was apparently busted by her own son who found 150 tapes of her performing sex acts with the dogs — including a mixed breed and labrador Lucky and Buddy and a blue heeler named Merlin owned by Seigfried. Seigfried allegedly filmed the events.

Continue reading ‘Oklahoma Couple Arrested in Massive Bestiality Case’

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