Below is my column in The Hill with a preview of the coming October Term at the Supreme Court. It already has the making of another “big year” on the Court.
Here is the column:
Category: Criminal law
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington appears to be moving from zealous advocacy to virtual stalking in the Lindsay Clancy case. Reddington is seeking phone records, surveillance, and criminal records of Michael Desronvil, the now-identified juror who held out in the 11-1 hung jury decision. Reddington’s demand follows his unprofessional attack on the juror on the courthouse steps after the trial. Continue reading “From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror”
Winston Churchill, an avid painter, always said that “audacity” is the key to every artist. If so, Caspar San Giorgi, 39, has a good start on an artistic career in Great Britain. The Palestinian activist, who is reportedly Dutch and also goes by the name of Olax Outis, took a ladder and a box of spray paint in February to deface the famous statue of Churchill in Parliament Square. Despite his admitting to the crime and rejoicing in it, a British jury just found him not guilty in a blatant act of jury nullification. Continue reading “Palestinian Activist Defaces Churchill Statue and Boasts About it in Court…British Jury Finds Him Not Guilty”
Below is my column in the New York Post on the referral of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for possible criminal prosecution by a federal judge. Judge Paul Diamond is only the latest jurist to reach the breaking point with Krasner, who has used a mix of rage and race politics to stay in office.
Here is the column: Continue reading “F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation”
In my torts class, we just discussed the privilege of self-defense, the Castle Doctrine, and statutory Stand Your Ground laws. There is a new case out of Indiana where Martell Pickens, 30, is facing reckless homicide charges for the shooting of Khadolphee Taylor, 25, outside his Fort Wayne home. The case shows the conflicts that arise in the application of both common law and statutory privileges in the use of lethal force.
Continue reading “Self-Defense or Reckless Homicide? Indiana Homeowner Arrested After Shooting Alleged Felon”
Below is my column in USA Today on the rising support for political violence, particularly among young voters. Citizens are being desensitized to violence, even murder, when committed for a good cause.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Gandhi is Out, Mangione is In: Political Violence is in Vogue in America”
The prison abolitionist movement has been gaining steam across the country with the rise of radical left candidates such as New York’s Darializa Avila Chevalier, who will soon be a member of Congress. Many have asked what will replace prisons in the post-carceral society. Seattle University law professor Dean Spade has the answer: care and accountability circles. If you are having that My Cousin Vinny moment of “you were serious about Dat?,” the answer is, yes, they are indeed very serious about that. Continue reading “The Abolitionist Movement: Professor Argues for “Care and Accountability Circles” as an Alternative to Prisons”
Below is my column on the attack unleashed by defense counsel Kevin Reddington on the holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy case. As I said immediately during the coverage, I considered the attack utterly reprehensible and worthy of intervention by Judge William Sullivan. Reddington went out of his way to fuel the anger against this one juror, a dangerous and unprofessional play to the mob.
Here is the column: Continue reading “The Clancy Trial: When “Twelve Angry Men” Becomes One Angry Man”
There is an intriguing story out of Brazil where Joao Arajuo, 57, a plastic surgeon known as “Dr. Frankenstein,” resurfaced after cutting an ankle monitor and fleeing the United States. The infamous plastic surgeon mocked the police and recounted how easy it was to flee the country. However, in detailing his escape, he implicated Brazilian diplomats in actively assisting the flight, making them accessories after the fact. Continue reading “Brazilian Lift: Diplomats Accused of Helping Fugitive “Dr. Frankenstein” to Flee United States”
Below is a long version of my column in the New York Post on the growing controversy in the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. One of her former prosecutors has leveled a broadside against James for using her office to pursue her enemies and making the prosecution of actual crimes a secondary priority.
Here is the column: Continue reading ““Tish’s Personal Attorneys Targeting Her Political Enemies”: Former Prosecutor Lashes Out at Letitia James”
Karmelo Anthony is seeking a new trial in Texas as tensions increase over the conviction for the murder of Austin Metcalf. The criminal case was not a difficult one for the prosecution with overwhelming witness and video evidence of the stabbing. Anthony’s motion for a new trial is extremely weak, in my view, because it focuses on his decision not to testify (despite a record showing he made that decision knowingly and freely). At the same time, the case is now becoming a political issue with Democratic senatorial nominee James Talarico declaring that the case “prove[s] this system is not working for black Texans.” Continue reading “Anthony Seeks New Trial as Talarico and Others Raise Case in Texas Election”
We all recall Bill Clinton’s infamous declaration that “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” One of his supporters, disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D., Cal.), now has his own “that person” moment. FBI material released this week shows that Swalwell admitted to what he refused to admit publicly: he did have sex with “that person.” Moreover, the material confirms that he not only enabled Fang Fang, an alleged Chinese spy, in pushing foreign interns for his office but may have received illegal foreign contributions. What is most striking about this report is that Nancy Pelosi was briefed on this information and still refused to remove Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee. Continue reading “FBI: Swalwell Did Admit to Sleeping with Alleged Chinese Spy and May Have Received Illegal Foreign Contributions”
Well, this explains why, whenever Bill Barr and I met for breakfast, he would order the Borscht with Biscuits. Various media sites are now reporting that the FBI allegedly listed Barr, Michael Pence, and other Republicans as “Russian conduits” while listing leading Democrats as the victims or targets of Russian disinformation or misinformation. It would be comical if it were not so concerning. In addition to the absurd listing of these figures, the task force is being accused of burying a significant number of witnesses alleging influence peddling and corruption by the Biden family. Continue reading “Report: FBI Listed Bill Barr, Michael Pence and Other Republicans as Russian “Conduits” of Misinformation”
Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. House nominee Chris Rabb put a curious spin on police reform proposals this week. When confronted by Sean Hannity on Fox News, Rabb explained matter-of-factly that the Founders did not have a clue about what “policing” was, suggesting that policing was a later-developed concept. It appears that not just our Constitution, but our history must be rewritten to meet contemporary political demands on the left. Rabb’s claim is historically unfounded. Just ask John Morton, signatory to the Declaration of Independence and local county sheriff.
Continue reading “Pennsylvania Democrat: The Founders “Did Not Even Understand” the Term “Policing””
“Today I am the most famous and talked-about person in the country.” Those words from the diary of Dr. Anthony Fauci will certainly be true today as the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs moves forward with holding him in contempt for refusing to answer over a hundred questions about his past conduct and statements as the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Continue reading “Dr. Fauci’s Contempt of Congress Can Be Challenged but his Contempt for the Public is Undeniable”