India is on the verge of a major victory for civil liberties: repealing a ban on homosexuality that was first introduced by the British 150 years ago.
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Archive for June, 2009
India on the Verge of Repealing 150 Year Ban on Homosexuality
Published 1, June 30, 2009 Constitutional Law , International , Politics , Society 19 CommentsMinnesota Supreme Court Votes Unanimously With Franken — Coleman Concedes
Published 1, June 30, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 240 Comments
I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, the Minnesota Supreme Court Likes Me. This election may have been a virtual tie, but Al Franken swept the Minnesota Supreme Court today. The Court ruled that Franken should be certified as the winner of the state’s Senate race — rejecting a challenge by Republican Norm Coleman. With Franken, the Democrats will have the votes to overcome any filibuster (if you include the two independents).
Continue reading ‘Minnesota Supreme Court Votes Unanimously With Franken — Coleman Concedes’
Overspray or Assault? Florida Man Charged with Battery After Drenching Wife with Garden Hose for Smoking
Published 1, June 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 144 Comments
John Jeffrey Murray, 51, is either a fanatical anti-smoker or a reckless hoser. A court will have to decide. Murray was charged with drenching his wife with a garden house for smoking in the house and then wrestling away a phone when she tried to call the police.
Maryland Officer Accused of Assault Captured on Dash Cam Video
Published 1, June 30, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Prince George’s County police are investigating a disturbing dash cam video of Cpl. Steven Jackson, who is accused of yanking a man out of his car and then slugging and tacking him. Shawn M. Leake, 24, had insisted on being told why he was being told to exit his car. The incident occurred on May 25, 2008.
Continue reading ‘Maryland Officer Accused of Assault Captured on Dash Cam Video’
Nebraska Woman Charged with Manslaughter After Running Over Woman Talking With Boyfriend
Published 1, June 30, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 1 Comment
There is an interesting manslaughter case out of Omaha, Nebraska. Courtney L. Antillon (left), 19, insists that she accidentally hit Ana Rodriquez-Delopez-Cardenas, 35, who was talking with her boyfriend, Israel Francisco Gonzalo. Prosecutors insist that it was a jealous rage that prompted Antillon to floor her Mazda. Her counsin, Dianna Dandridge, was also arrested.
Continue reading ‘Nebraska Woman Charged with Manslaughter After Running Over Woman Talking With Boyfriend’
Oklahoma Legislature to Consider Proclamation Linking the Economic Crisis to Obama’s Immoral Policies
Published 1, June 30, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 76 Comments
Recently, Rush Limbaugh explained how Obama economic policies were the cause of Republican Gov. Mark Sanford’s affair with a beautiful Argentinian woman. But what caused the economic problems that caused the stimulus package that aroused Gov. Sanford? Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern has finally answered that question: our sins. Kern has drafted a resolution that puts the current economic crisis squarely on the backs of libertines and godless people who have produced a moral crisis. This includes Obama’s refusal to “uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in recognition of our National Day of Prayer.”
Bye, Bye Bernie: Madoff Gets 150 Years
Published 1, June 29, 2009 Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 19 Comments
While his attorneys asked for just 12 years, Bernie Madoff, 71, has been sentenced to 150 years after expressing sorrow for the ruin that he brought to thousands of people — rich and poor — through his criminal enterprise.
Supreme Court Rules 5-4 to Reverse Sotomayor Ruling in New Haven Firefighters Case
Published 1, June 29, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 52 Comments
As expected, the Supreme Court voted in Ricci v. DeStefano, the New Haven firefighters case, to reverse the decision of the Second Circuit panel, which included Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Also as expected, Justice Kennedy played the swing vote in giving cities a new defense in such cases. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion. The fear of litigation was not sufficient to justify the discrimination against white and Hispanic firefighters. Firefighters challenged a decision to throw out promotional exam results because no African-American firefighters were among the top scoring candidates for promotion — only white and Hispanic officers. Judge Sonia Sotomayor was on the panel that upheld the city’s decision in one of her most controversial decisions.
Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Rules 5-4 to Reverse Sotomayor Ruling in New Haven Firefighters Case’
Twelve-Year-Old Boy Dies in Bull Riding Competition
Published 1, June 29, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 18 Comments
When researchers recently found that cheerleading is the most dangerous sport, they probably did not consider bull riding. The accident happened around 11:20 a.m at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Richard Wayde Hamar, 12, of Yuma died in the junior bull riding competition held in Boulder County Fairgrounds this week while riding a bull.
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Florida Man Arrested For Tasering His Mother — While Awaiting Charges for Threatening Her With A Sword
Published 1, June 29, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 16 Comments
Matthew Beider, 23, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, is not exactly the ideal son. Only last month, he was arrested after threatening his mother with a three-foot sword. Now, he has been re-arrested after tasering his mother and then stomping on her as she lay on the floor after being shocked.
Continue reading ‘Florida Man Arrested For Tasering His Mother — While Awaiting Charges for Threatening Her With A Sword’
Trashed: City Attorney Resigns After Embarrassing Photos in Garbage Can
Published 1, June 29, 2009 Bizarre , Lawyering , Politics , Society 12 Comments
Larry Wilder, the City Council attorney for Jeffersonville, Ind. has announced that he will resigned due to recent criticism. It was not Wilder’s skills or courtroom demeanor that proved his undoing. It was the combination of a certain trash can, a lawyer, and a camera. He resign before he was . . . well . . . canned.
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Ever wonder what your cat is doing when you are not at home?
Doing the Unthinkable: TSA Accused of Detaining Comic Script Due to Script
Published 1, June 28, 2009 Academics , Criminal law , International , Media , Society 22 Comments
Boom! Studios is alleging that its comics writer Mark Sable was detaining by the TSA at Los Angeles International Airport because of his script for a new issue of his comic miniseries Unthinkable.
Continue reading ‘Doing the Unthinkable: TSA Accused of Detaining Comic Script Due to Script’
Bittar Breakup: Car Dealer Sues Surgeon Over Affair With Wife
Published 1, June 28, 2009 Bizarre , Society , Torts 10 Comments
There is another interesting alienation of affection case in the courts. Wealthy car dealer Bob Rohrman (known as “Bob Rohrrrrrrr-man” on his commercials) is suing a surgeon, Dr. Sami M. Bittar, who wooed his wife, Ronda.
Continue reading ‘Bittar Breakup: Car Dealer Sues Surgeon Over Affair With Wife’
The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has released its 26th annual report on sport injuries and has found the most dangerous sport to be . . . cheerleading. That’s right, cheerleading.
Continue reading ‘The Most Dangerous Sport Is . . .’
University of Illinois Law School Accused of Trading Admission for Unqualified Student in Exchange for Five Jobs for Graduates
Published 1, June 27, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Politics , Society 50 Comments 
The scandal involving University of Illinois Law School is getting worse by the day. We previously discussed the scandal involving the admissions process and the use of “special admits” where deans circumvent the usual process to guarantee admission for certain well-connected students.The Chicago Tribune continues to uncover shocking examples of manipulation of the admissions process at Illinois by politicians and donors. This may be an example of why admissions are like sausage and legislation — things that you should not watch being made.
Dangerously Cheesy: Couple Arrest for Assault with Cheetos
Published 1, June 27, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 15 Comments
A Bedford, Tennessee couple has been arrested for domestic assault. Nothing new there except for their chosen weapon: a bag of Cheetos.
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“Perv Dad For Fun”: Duke University Official Arrested For Allegedly Offering His 5-Year-Old Son for Sex
Published 1, June 27, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 33 Comments
Duke University faculty and students were shocked this week with the arrest of Frank Lombard, the school’s associate director of the Center for Health Policy, for allegedly offering his five-year-old son for sex with a man. Police say that Lombard identified himself as “perv dad for fun” and even suggested the hotel that the undercover officer could use for the crime.
Monica Conyers Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers and wife of Judiciary Chairman John Conyers has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bribery. She is free on personal bond awaiting sentencing. This is
only the latest criminal plea or conviction for the Detroit political establishment.
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Leading Iranian Cleric Calls for Execution of Some Protesters
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 15 Comments
The Iranian government has continued its crackdown on protests, including the arrest of dozens of university professors for merely meeting with opposition leader Hossein Mousavi. Senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami has called for the execution of some protesters and harsh treatment of all leaders of the protests.
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Ohio Firefighter Pleads Guilty To Shooting Two Dogs To Avoid Boarding Fees During His Vacation
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Society 10 Comments
David P. Santuomo, 43, is a real charmer. The Columbus firefighter has pleaded guilty to shooting his two dogs because he did not want to pay boarding fees while and went on vacation.
Federal Court Rules Against Hustler Magazine in Use of Nude Photos of Deceased Wife of Wrester Chris Benoit
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Society , Torts 9 Comments
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has issued a major ruling on freedom of the press and privacy. The court ruled that Hustler did not have the right to publish nude photographs of Nancy Benoit, the wife of professional wrestler Chris Benoit. Chris Benoit killed his wife and his young son before taking his own life.
Sharia Court Cuts Off Hands and Feet of Petty Thieves in Public Display
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Religion , Society 27 Comments
The world has another example of justice by extremists using Sharia law. In Mogadishu, Somalia, an Islamic court held a public ceremony where the hands and feet of weeping thieves were cut off in front of hundreds of onlookers.
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Mother’s Little Helper: Mother Accused of Changing Daughter’s Grades and SAT Score on School Computer System
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 15 Comments
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania (The Weekly Vice) — Carolyn Maria McNeal, 39, is a mother who values education and will not tolerate bad grades. The high-school secretary in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania is accused of using a co-worker’s password to change her daughter’s poor grades. Of course, her better performance would be meaningless without allegedly lowering the grades of at least two other students.
Continue reading ‘Mother’s Little Helper: Mother Accused of Changing Daughter’s Grades and SAT Score on School Computer System’
Stimulating Sex: Rush Limbaugh Blames Sanford Affair On Obama Economic Policies
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 67 Comments
There were of course many possible explanations for Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s affair with an Argentinian beauty. There is of course love, lust, or simply a mid-life crisis. However, it took Rush Limbaugh to isolate the true reason: President Obama. Limbaugh was heard yesterday explaining that Obama’s economic policies pushed poor Sanford into the arms of this mistress.
Continue reading ‘Stimulating Sex: Rush Limbaugh Blames Sanford Affair On Obama Economic Policies’
Judge Samuel Kent Resigns to Avoid Senate Hearing
Published 1, June 26, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society 5 Comments
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent has finally resigned after Congress expedited his impeachment and Senate trial. In a remarkably dim-witted act, Kent’s lawyer announced that they had calculated that Congress could not possibly complete an impeachment and start a trial for a year. Thus, he decided that he would resign in a year to continue to bilk the government for salary and benefits. The inevitable result was that an infuriated Congress expedited the process.
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For the Love of God, Take the Flowers
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Bizarre , Media , Society 6 CommentsI just saw this video and wanted to share it of a Japanese boy who is rejected by a girl after finishing a piano performance. (He succeeded with the first two girls and struck out with the last one).
Continue reading ‘For the Love of God, Take the Flowers’
Gay Exorcism: Video of Connecticut Ceremony Causes Outrage
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 29 CommentsA video of a “gay exorcism” has outraged the public as a teen is shown writhing on the ground as members of the Manifested Glory Ministries Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut drive out “homosexual demons.”
Continue reading ‘Gay Exorcism: Video of Connecticut Ceremony Causes Outrage’
Supreme Court Rules Strip Search of Middle School Student Illegal
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 47 Comments
In a major victory for student right, the Supreme Court has ruled that the strip search of a 13-year-old middle school student was unconstitutional. The Court ruled 8-1 with only Justice Clarence Thomas voting with the school in the case. For an earlier column on the case, click here. However, the justices also voted to protect individual school officials from such lawsuits.
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A Dollar A Day Keeps The Babies Away: North Carolina Teens Offered $7 Day to Remain Baby-Free
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 9 Comments
The University of North Carolina has started a program called the College Bound Sisters where teenagers receive $7 a day to stay in school and stay baby-free. They must also attend meetings each week on abstinence.
Continue reading ‘A Dollar A Day Keeps The Babies Away: North Carolina Teens Offered $7 Day to Remain Baby-Free’
Court Orders New Trial After Lawyer Allegedly Sleeps in Court, Reads Health Magazines During Testimony, and Gives “Laughable” Opening Argument
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 3 Comments Manhattan trial attorney Michael Harrison has been named as the unidentified lawyer that is the subject of an ineffective counsel ruling where the court found that counsel fell asleep during trial, read magazines during witness testimony and gave such a rambling, implausible opening argument that the jury laughed.
Continue reading ‘Court Orders New Trial After Lawyer Allegedly Sleeps in Court, Reads Health Magazines During Testimony, and Gives “Laughable” Opening Argument’
When Physicists Attack: Homeless Man Attacks Fellow Transient in Disagreement Over Quantum Physics
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 43 Comments
This week a homeless man in California hit a fellow transient in the face with a skateboard over a disagreement about quantum physics. In San Francisco, Jason Everett Keller, 40, allegedly attacked, Stephan Fava, over a disputed physics question.
Continue reading ‘When Physicists Attack: Homeless Man Attacks Fellow Transient in Disagreement Over Quantum Physics’
White Supremacist Leader Arrested for Threatening Federal Judges
Published 1, June 25, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 28 Comments
A white supremacist blogger, Hal Turner, 47, has been arrested for allegedly posting threatening messages about three federal judges in Chicago. Turner was upset with the decision to uphold a handgun ban in Chicago. The judges are Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook, Judge Richard Posner, and Judge William Bauer. Turner is the host of the Hal Turner Show.
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Meet The Butcher: Iranian Mullahs Enlist Controversial Figure to Crackdown on Protesters
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 18 CommentsThere are new reports of beatings and shootings as the Iranian government tries to crush protests by citizens demanding more freedoms and democratic rights. The violence is little surprise after it was disclosed this week that the person behind the crackdown is the notorious “Butcher” Saeed Mortazavi. He is a religious extremist previously called upon to do the dirty work of the mullahs.
Continue reading ‘Meet The Butcher: Iranian Mullahs Enlist Controversial Figure to Crackdown on Protesters’
The Wrinkle-Free Divorce: Connecticut Supreme Court Rules That Ex-Wife Is Barred From Speaking About Divorce Forever
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Media , Society 30 Comments
It appears that the Connecticut Supreme Court has found a way to help spouses get rid of unsightly winkles in divorces. It ruled that the wife of wealthy skin and winkle cream doctor Nicholas V. Perricone may not speak of her divorce — forever. Thus, a private waiver signed before discovery is enforceable until death against Madeleine Perricone — presumably she is allowed to discuss the divorce in the afterlife as a matter beyond the jurisdiction of the court.
Newspaper Charges Military With Censorship Over Critical Reporting From Iraq
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Media , Military , Politics , Society 10 Comments
The respected newspaper Stars and Stripes has raised the alarm of censorship against the military. Stripes receives federal funding for the coverage of the military, but has long earned the respect of journalists for its independent reporting. An editorial raises a very disturbing incident involving the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division.
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Marriage First, Then Divorce: Couple in Dispute Over Whether They Were Married by Proxy
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
It was the perfect scene for a marriage. In a place called Kissimmee, Matthew J. Ditzel, 30, and Heather M. Bowser, 31, were married on a lakefront on a beautiful day on May 24, 2008 and the union was certified by notary and Wyndham Resorts employee, Veronica Gonzalez. There only one thing missing: Matthew. Bowser claimed that he had agreed to a marriage “by proxy.” They are now finally both present, albeit in court in a fascinating Ditzel v. Bowser where Bowser wants a divorce and Ditzel wants the court to declare that there was not marriage in the first place.
Continue reading ‘Marriage First, Then Divorce: Couple in Dispute Over Whether They Were Married by Proxy’
The fault, dear Kimberley, is not in Your stars, but in Yourself: Teenager Admits that She Asked for 56 Star Tattoos on Her Face
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society , Torts 10 Comments
Belgian Kimberley Vlaminck caused an international outrage when she blamed tattoo artist Rouslan Toumaniantz for tattooing her left side of her face with 56 stars while she slept inside of the three that she asked for. She insisted that Romanian-born Toumaniantz did not understand her French and English instructions and threatened to sue. She now admits that she asked for 56 stars and lied because her father was “furious.”
Iran Bans Soccer Players For Life For Wearing Green Wrist Bans in Solidarity with Protestors
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Politics , Society 4 Comments
Some of Iran’s most famous football (soccer) players have been banned for life due to their courageous show of solidarity with protesters in the recent World Cup games. The players wore green wrist bans and four refused to take off the bands at half-time when told to do so by the government or face punishment.
Report: More than 60,000 Inmates are Raped Each Year
Published 1, June 24, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Criminal law , Politics , Society 16 Comments
A federal commission on prison rape has called for reforms and safeguards to combat prison rape, which involves an estimated 60,000 victims each year among the prison population.
Continue reading ‘Report: More than 60,000 Inmates are Raped Each Year’
Negating Neda: Iranian Government Seeks to Erase Memory of Iranian Martyr
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 63 Comments
Acting true to it authoritarian form, the Iranian government is seeking to erase evidence of Neda Solton, the 26-year-old woman who died during protests when government forces used live rounds to disperse crowds.
Continue reading ‘Negating Neda: Iranian Government Seeks to Erase Memory of Iranian Martyr’
Blind Justice? Nevada Supreme Court Justice Kris Pickering Plows Into UPS Store With Her Mercedes
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Dane Halovich can hardly complain that justice is slow or distant in Nevada. This week, Supreme Court Justice Kris Pickering drove her Mercedes into his UPS Store.
Continue reading ‘Blind Justice? Nevada Supreme Court Justice Kris Pickering Plows Into UPS Store With Her Mercedes’
New Jersey Man Arrested After Using Geek Squad ID to Impersonate a Police Officer and Demand Sex From Prostitute
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
Jay Mora, 25, of Newark, New Jersey has been charged with impersonating a police officer when he flashed his Geek Squad ID and demanded free sex from a prostitute.
Continue reading ‘New Jersey Man Arrested After Using Geek Squad ID to Impersonate a Police Officer and Demand Sex From Prostitute’
Marriage of Convenience: New York Lawyer Suspended After Falsely Claiming to Be Judge’s Wife
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Lawyering , Society 1 Comment
The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division has suspended New York lawyer Cheryl Brodsky in a rather bizarre case where she falsely claimed to be the wife of Queens Supreme Court Administrative Judge Jeremy Weinstein and then refused to get a mental health evaluation.
Continue reading ‘Marriage of Convenience: New York Lawyer Suspended After Falsely Claiming to Be Judge’s Wife’
Bad Hair Day: Indiana Parolee Arrested in Mid Hair Cut During Alleged Drug Deal
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 1 Comment
We have seen some unfortunately mug shots, but Marcus T. Bailey, 28, has reason to be aggrieved. The parolee allegedly stepped out of a barbershop in the middle of his haircut to do a drug deal — only to be arrested and then booked before, to quote Norma Desmond, he was ready for his close up.
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Ohio Inmate to be Freed Over Typo on Sentencing Form
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society 5 Comments
Convicted drug dealer Calvin Eugene Wells is looking at a likely release from prison based not on his conduct or innocence, but a three-letter typo. Wells was sentenced in October 2005 to 10 years for his possession of more than 100 grams of cocaine. However, the verdict form signed by the jurors contained a typo that wast eh grounds for an appellate court to slashed his sentence down to a fifth-degree felony.
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DePaul President Names Former Judge as New “Interim” Dean for Two Years
Published 1, June 23, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Lawyering , Religion , Society 4 Comments
DePaul University President The Reverend Fr. Dennis H. Holtschneider (right) has announced his selection of Illinois Appellate Judge Warren Wolfson, 76, as the new interim dean at the DePaul University College of Law for a two-year appointment. The announcement led to the resignation of the associate dean and only further angered the faculty and students.
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Cult or Miscavige of Justice? Newspaper Runs Indepth Exposé on Church of Scientology
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 268 Comments
The St. Petersburg Times is running a series on the Church of Scientology that has some pretty eye-popping allegations, particularly with regard to Church leader David Miscavige. For those who have long argued that the Church is a cult (most recently in Europe) the exposé will likely reinforce their views.
Jurors Under Investigation for Attempted Bribery
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 7 Comments
Dorothy Hendricks, 54, of St. Croix has been charged with allegedly trying to sell her vote on a criminal jury. Another juror is also under investigation in the U.S. Virgin Islands for trying to sell their votes for between $3000 and $5000 to a defense attorney.
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Website Under Investigation in Israel For Featuring Soldier As Alleged Killer
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion , Society 3 Comments
>Israel has a case that would make for an interesting false light and defamation claim in the United States. Indymedia Israel, a news site popular with civil libertarians, ran a picture of a soldier with the caption “murderer” and said that he was responsible for the death of Bassem Abu Rahma, who was hit in the chest with a tear gas grenade in Bilin near the West Bank. The government says that the soldier was not involved in the incident.
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Fish Story? Texas Lawyer Asserts the Catfish Defense in DWI Case
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 20 Comments
Attorney Bryan Simmons says that he was brought low by the double scourge of hard work and catfish. Simmons drove off the road and got stuck in a ditch with a flat tire– the result of fatigue from a trial and a reaction to the black pepper sprinkled on his catfish. District Judge John Miller ordered him to pay the costs of a trial that ended in the middle of jury selection due to his failure to appear.
Continue reading ‘Fish Story? Texas Lawyer Asserts the Catfish Defense in DWI Case’
Video: Two Women Arrested After Asking for Officer’s Badge Number
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Society 14 Comments
There English media has been pursuing a series of stories about police abuse, particularly at protests. A new video (below) has surfaced showing the arrest of two such protesters, Val Swain, 43, and Emily Apple, 33, who claim that they were arrested and roughed up after demanding the badge number of an officer.
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Palin the Neck: Alaska Governor Says that She Has Spent $500,000 on Frivolous Lawsuits
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has come out with criticism of the citizens who have filed ethics complaints against her. She says that all of these ethics charges are frivolous and politically motivated — and cost $500,000 to defend against.
Sonia Sotomayor Resigns From Female-Only Club
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Media , Politics , Society 82 CommentsU.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has resigned from the all-women Belizean Grove club — waiting for Friday to try to bury the announcement in the weekend news. Sotomayor did not express any personal concerns or regrets about joining an exclusive club and only stated that she did not want it to be a “distraction” from her record.
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Iran’s Crispus Attucks: Demonstrators Chant the Name of Neda
Published 1, June 22, 2009 Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 52 Comments
At the Boston Massacre, an unlikely figure emerged as one of the heros, a man of black or Indian parentage named Crispus Attucks. In Iran, women have played a key role in the protests and protesters have rallied around a female martyr named Neda Soltan, 26. Just as blacks in the United States were fighting from a position of slavery and discrimination, Iranian women have been throwing off of restrictions of the harsh Islamic regime and taken to the street. One such courageous young person was filmed as she died after being shot by Iranian security. The video is making it through the blackout curtain established by the Iranian government.
Continue reading ‘Iran’s Crispus Attucks: Demonstrators Chant the Name of Neda’
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!
Published 1, June 21, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Environment , Justice , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 23 Comments
Gentleman assume your couches! Happy Father’s Day to all of the Turley bloggers.
DePaul Students and Faculty Fight to Keep Fired Dean
Published 1, June 21, 2009 Uncategorized 9 Comments
The dismissal of Dean Glen Weissenberger after only two years into his second term has caused a upheaval at the law school where students and faculty have rallied around the popular dean. Weissenberger was reportedly fired on the recommendation of the provost, Helmut Epp.
Continue reading ‘DePaul Students and Faculty Fight to Keep Fired Dean’
New York Mother “Cures” Daughter in Religious Ceremony By Burning Her
Published 1, June 21, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 18 Comments
A New York mother in Queens “cured” her daughter in a religious ceremony by burning the six-year-old daughter Frantzcia Saintil and leaving her scarred for life. The mother, Marie Lauradin, 29, was charged with assault and endangering a child this week.
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Death by Twitter: Teenage Girl Electrocuted To Death While Twittering
Published 1, June 20, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society 33 Comments
Maria Barbu, 17, has died in Brasov, Romania after she tried to Twitter while soaking in a tub.
Continue reading ‘Death by Twitter: Teenage Girl Electrocuted To Death While Twittering’
Be Polite or Else: New York to Enforce Criminal Penalties on Yielding Seats on the Subway
Published 1, June 20, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 12 Comments
There has been a steading criminalization of bad conduct in the United States, as discussed in earlier columns. We can add the New York subways push to force people to give up their seats to the elderly and disabled — or face a potential 10 day jail term.
Continue reading ‘Be Polite or Else: New York to Enforce Criminal Penalties on Yielding Seats on the Subway’
The Rubens Plan: Being Chubby and Horny Cited As Keys to Long Life
Published 1, June 20, 2009 Bizarre , International , Society 15 Comments
A new Japanese study indicates that being chubby is the key to the long life — a finding with direct implications for the continuation of the Turley blog for decades to come. in the meantime, the oldest man in the world, Henry Allingham, has explained that the key to his long life is heaving drinking and womanizing.
Continue reading ‘The Rubens Plan: Being Chubby and Horny Cited As Keys to Long Life’
Judge Kent Impeached in Expedited Process
Published 1, June 20, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 3 CommentsThe now imprisoned U.S. District Court Samuel B. Kent has been openly bilking the government for salary and benefits by refusing to resign. His lawyer even acknowledged that his promise to resign in a year was due to his calculation that the Congress could not move any faster toward a Senate trial. It was a curious legal strategy since it virtually dared the Congress to expedite the matter, which it did. Kent has now been impeached in a fast track proceeding.
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UnHappy Meal: Officer Accused of Pulling Gun When McDonald’s Order Took Too Long
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 16 Comments
An unnamed Denver police officer has been suspended after allegedly brandishing his weapon at a McDonald’s when his order took too long.
Continue reading ‘UnHappy Meal: Officer Accused of Pulling Gun When McDonald’s Order Took Too Long’
Pixar Pixies: Company Fulfills Wish of Girl Who Wanted to See Movie Up — Only Hours Before Her Death
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Media , Society 13 Comments
Colby Curtin, 10, had a lethal and rare form of cancer and had only one wish — to see the movie Up. Since it was not available on DVD and she was too sick to go to the movies, Disney-Pixar came to her house to show her the movie with and car full of stuffed character toys. Colby watched the movie and then died a few hours later.
Report: One Out of Four South African Men Have Raped Someone
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 23 Comments
There is a disturbing report out of South Africa this week. The South African Medical Research Council has found that one out of four South African men said that they had raped someone and more than half admitted to raping more than one person.
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Ohio Teen Puts Noose Around Hispanic Boy’s Neck and Drags Him Around Parking Lot While Screaming Racial Taunts — Receives 10 Days in Jail
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 13 Comments
There is a disturbing case out of Mount Vernon, Ohio where Dale Cline, 18, put a noose around the neck of a hispanic boy, Robert Cantu,17, and dragged him in a parking lot while screaming racial taunts. He was sentenced as a juvenile and given just 10 days.
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Arizona Man Fails in Sword-Steering Wheel Suicide
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 11 Comments
Nathan Ryan, 27, in Mesa, Arizona had a curious way to killing himself. Not only did it not succeed, but he will now face likely criminal and civil charges. Ryan decided that the best way to kill himself was to tie a two-foot sword to his steering wheel — pointed to his chest. He then ran his car into a neighbor’s brick wall. The one thing that he forgot about was the air bag, which deployed, bent sword, and Ryan ended up in a very irate neighbor’s pool.
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Jury Awards $1.92 Million to Recording Companies; Hits Minnesota Woman with $80,000 Per Song
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Bizarre , Society 19 Comments 
A federal jury in Minnesota ruled yesterday that Jammie Thomas-Rasset willfully violated the copyrights on 24 songs, and awarded recording companies a huge level of damages: $1.92 million, or $80,000 per song.
Illinois Judges Rule That They Cannot Be Forced to Retire Based on Age While Justices in Washington Raise the Bar for Age Discrimination for Citizens
Published 1, June 19, 2009 Constitutional Law , Courts , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 6 Comments
A state judge in Illinois has ruled that an Illinois law requiring state judges to retire after turning 75 is unconstitutional. Notably, the author of the four-judge decision Justice Charles Freeman (left) would himself be forced to retire under the law. In the meantime, the U.S. Supreme Court has voted against age discrimination claims of older workers.
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Ron Paul Challenges Democrats Who Support an Obama War Over a Bush War
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 34 Comments
Ron Paul has challenged democrats for what he views as their hypocrisy in voting against the war funding during the Bush Administration while now voting for same legislation under the Obama Administration.
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Supreme Court Rules Against Constitutional Right to Access to DNA Testing
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 50 Comments
In a split 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. ruled that an individual cannot demanded access or testing to DNA material after his conviction becomes final in District Attorney’s Office v. Osborne (08-6).
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Lord Chief Justice: Jury Trial No Longer Required in England and Wales
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , International , Justice , Politics , Society 11 Comments
Recently, many civil libertarians have been alarmed by legal changes in England restricting the media, free speech, prosecuting insults against religion, and other rollbacks. Now, the Lord Chief Justice has ruled that criminal trials no longer require a jury for the first time in England and Wales.
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Obama’s Murderous Rage Raises Ire of PETA
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Bizarre , Politics , Society 22 CommentsWe have now all seen it: President Barack Obama killing a small fly and then gleefully celebrating that he “got the little sucker.” Now, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) (never late in embarrassing itself) has denounced the killing and encouraged people to use a “catch and release” device.
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Holder: Warrantless Surveillance was “Unwise” Rather than “Illegal”
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 29 Comments
Attorney General Eric Holder left little question in anyone’s mind this week that the Obama Administration will not allow a prosecution of unlawful surveillance during the Bush Administration. As with the torture program, the Administration has been avoiding questions about its failure to prosecute the illegal surveillance program. Now, Holder has refused to call the program “illegal” and would only refer to it as “unwise.” I intent to use this as my main defense in my next criminal case: my client’s robbery of a bank was merely “unwise” and a lack of wisdom does not justify prosecution.
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Australian Man Dies After Being Tasered 20 Times By Police
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 11 Comments
Antonio Galeano died last week after Queensland police hit him 20 times with a 50,000-volt Taser. Galeano was an amphetamines addict who was tasered for five second pulse each time.
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Pakistani Muslims Beat Reportedly Beat Christian to Death for Buying Tea at Muslim-Only Stand
Published 1, June 18, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Religion , Society 106 Comments
Various news sites are reporting that a Christian man, Ishtiaq Masih, was beaten to death in Pakistan’s Punjab province for buying a cup of tea in a Muslim-only tea stall.
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I Remember Mama: Man Arrested After Impersonating Dead Mother for Benefits
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 10 Comments
Thomas Prusik-Parkin is an attentive son to a fault. He was captured on surveillance tap dressed as his deceased mother to collect over $100,000 benefits from social security and rent subsidies. His mother Irene Prusik died in 2003 at 73.
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Obama Adopts Cheney Policy and Opposes Release of White House Logs
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Media , Politics , Society 178 Comments
President Obama has already adopted or expanded many of the most controversial Bush policies on executive privilege, detainee treatment, termination of privacy lawsuit, and other matters. Now, he has adopted the identical position of Vice President Dick Cheney in seeking to withhold visitor logs to the White House.
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Shoppers Continue to Shop After Convenience Story Clerk is Shot and Killed
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 7 Comments
A view from Gary, Indiana added to a library of utter human indifference. First, a men in a red shirt shoots and kills the clerk, Gurjeet Singh, over a handful of cash. Then, customers are seen continuing to shop despite the dead body a few feet away.
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Baltimore Judge Orders a Woman Jailed For Saying “I Love You” to Brother
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 13 Comments
It appears that expressions of affection cannot simply cost you a high school diploma, it can get you thrown in jail. Baltimore Circuit Judge Alfred Nance is known for having a temper in his courtroom and he appeared to have lost both his temper and his judgment when he ordered the jailing of Tamika Clevenger for throwing a kiss and saying “I love you” to her brother.
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The Maine Attraction: High School Student Denied Diploma For Waving and Throwing a Kiss at His Mother
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Society 11 Comments
Superintendent Suzanne Lukas and the police of Standish Maine need to loosen up a bit. Lukas barred Bonny Eagle High School senior Justin Denney from receiving a diploma because he waved at his family and blew a kis to his mother. It turns out that the school’s rather imposing mascot (left) was an accurate depiction of the school officials at the graduation.
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Report: Monica Conyers is “Council Member A” In Federal Bribery Investigation
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Religion , Society 3 Comments
Detroit City Council member Monica Conyers has been repeatedly the subject of scathing media articles regarding physical and verbal attacks on her critics, here and here and here. She is now facing a corruption probe after being identified as the alleged “Council Member A” in a federal investigation who accepted more than $6000 for a vote on a sludge contract.
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Defining Terrorism: We Can Call People Murderers Without Diminishing Their Crimes
Published 1, June 17, 2009 Columns , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Media , Politics , Religion , Society , USA Today 20 Comments
Columnist Bonnie Erbe said last week that “it ought to be against the law” for people to call George Tiller “a murderer” and “anyone who [says such things] it ought to be prosecuted as an accessory to murder, as well as for partaking in domestic terrorism.” Others have also demanded that we treat such crimes as “domestic terrorism.” Below is today’s column on defining terrorism.
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FDA Issues Warning About Use of Zicam Cold Remedy Products
Published 1, June 16, 2009 Society , Torts 27 Comments
If you are looking for a tort case that passes the smell test, this may be it. The Food and
Drug Administration has issued a warning consumers to stop using certain Zicam nasal cold remedy products because of a large number of cases where users have lost their sense of permanently.
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Over a Barrel: North Carolina Student Arrested for Creating “The Barrel Monster”
Published 1, June 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 12 Comments
In light of our recent viewing of what Mark Wagner can do with dollar bills, it is only fitting to feature the impressive work of Joseph Carnevale, 21, of North Carolina. Unlike Wagner who has not been charged with defacing currency, Carnevale has been arrested for his work to enhance the beauty of the lowly construction barrel.
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Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Raping 4-Year-Old Child and Gets One Year in Jail
Published 1, June 16, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society 13 Comments
In Oklahoma, David Harold Earls, 64, has received a one-year jail sentence after raping a 4-year-old girl. The sentence has caused an outcry across the country and moves in the legislature to recall District Judge Thomas Bartheld, who gave Earls a twenty-year sentence with nineteen years suspended under a plea agreement between the prosecutors and defense counsel. He also fined Earls $1,000.
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Taser! Taser! Taser! Video Shows Police Beating and Tasering Suspect on Ground
Published 1, June 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , Media , Society 14 CommentsThis video has a disturbing scene as multiple officer in Nottingham, England beat and taser a man who is lying on the ground.
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Jailhouse Judge: Judge Samuel Kent Begins To Serve Jail Sentence Without Resigning From the Bench
Published 1, June 16, 2009 Bizarre , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 2 CommentsThe federal prison system has plenty of jailhouse lawyers. Now it has its first jailhouse judge (not to mention of jury of his peers). U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent began to serve his jail sentence today while still a member of the federal judiciary. He continues to refuse to resign. For those who were initially supportive of Kent, few people defend him now after his outrageous effort to bilk the judiciary for every possible dime of salary and benefits while dragging both the courts and Congress through the scandal that he created.
The Art of Financial Manipulation: Artist Mark Wagner Shows How To Add Value to the Plunging Dollar
Published 1, June 16, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 11 Comments
Given my call for Senators like Dick Durbin to use blind trusts, I thought that the link below might be helpful as a distraction for Senators who still want to play with their money.
Senatorial Privilege? Sen. Dick Durbin Cashed Out His Stocks and Shares After Meeting With Paulson and Bernanke on Economic Crisis
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society 97 Comments
Sen. Dick Durbin, the second most senior democrat in the Senate, cashed out his stock the day after meeting with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Durbin took the money and invested much of the $115,000 in Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
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Court: Judge Charles Bernstein Acted as “Co-Prosecutor” and Denied Defendants Fair Trial
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Society 7 CommentsBaltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles G. Bernstein has been found to have acted so improperly in two criminal cases that he became a “co-prosecutor” and denied the defendants a fair trial. Steven Diggs (found guilty of drug possession) and Damon Lamar Ramsey (convicted of possession and intent to distribute) will receive new trials.
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Prosecutor to Seek Dissolution of Scientology in France
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 16 CommentsState prosecutor Maud Coujard has recommended that a Paris court dissolve the French branch of the Church of Scientology. Scientology has been accused of being little more than a criminal enterprise in France and other countries that uses escalating courses or levels to bilk individuals of thousands of dollars.
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Judge Rules that Jose Padilla Can Sue John Yoo
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Academics , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Military , Society 25 Comments
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White has cleared the way for Jose Padilla to sue University of California Professor John Yoo for the violation of his rights due to his physical abuse as a detainee. It is a relatively novel ruling that holds that government lawyers must be treated as other officials in participating in illegal programs or policies.
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Police Arrest Alleged Serial Cat Killer in Florida
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 4 Comments
Miami-Dave police say that they have serial cat killer: Tyler Weinman, 18. He is accused of who mutilating 19 cats in South Miami-Dade. He does not exactly fit the image of a deranged, torture-loving loser that you would expect.
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Obama Defends Defense of Marriage Act and Moves to Dismiss Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuit
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Religion , Society 44 CommentsCivil libertarians have been outraged by President Barack Obama’s adoption of extreme Bush policies on secrecy and executive privilege, including his effort to dismiss public interest lawsuits and his Administration’s refusal to investigate war crimes committed by the Bush Administration. Now, Obama has filed to dismiss the case of Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer, who are challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which blocks same-sex couples from securing Social Security spousal benefits, filing joint taxes and enjoying other federal rights of marriage.
English Couple Sues After Their Last Embryo is Implanted in Wrong Woman
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Society , Torts 4 Comments
An English couple has a novel case against Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales after their last embryo was mistakingly implanted into another woman. The hospital has agreed to pay damages in the lawsuit and apologized.
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Student Arrested for Blocking the Ability of Teachers to Input Grade
Published 1, June 15, 2009 Academics , Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
In Clifton Park, New York, Shenedehowa High School student Matthew C. Beighey came up with the next best thing to getting good grades — keeping teachers from entering bad grades, or any grades at all. Beighey figured out a way to block teachers by inputting incorrect passwords three times for each of them in the system — locking them out temporarily from entering grades.
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Just a reminder to all of the Turley bloggers: floss, brush, spit, and repeat.
Continue reading ‘The Scourge of Equine Gingivitis’
“April’s Mom” Admits That Terminally Ill Baby and Anti-Abortion Sensation was a Hoax
Published 1, June 14, 2009 Bizarre , Religion , Society 12 Comments
For months, a blogger known as “April’s Mom” has been the heroine of religious and pro-life sites, recounting how she chose to give birth to a terminally ill baby and allowed the child to die naturally hours after giving birth. April’s Mom turns out to be Beccah Beushausen, 26, a social worker from outside Chicago and the entire story was a lie.
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Former Priest Claims that He Was Given 11-Year-Old Boy an “Anatomy Lesson” in Latest Arrest
Published 1, June 14, 2009 Bizarre , Criminal law , Religion , Society 4 Comments
Former Roman Catholic priest Desmond Laurence Gannon has been jailed in a fifth prosecution for child abuse in Australia. His defense in this latest case is that he was merely giving an 11-year-old boy “anatomy lessons.”
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