Many observers have long believed that there was a federal cover-up in the alleged suicide of Kenneth Trentadue in a federal prison. His brother has long argued that federal officials, not suicide, were behind the death in August 1995. Now, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the federal government’s effort to withhold a critical report on the case. Continue reading “Federal Appellate Court Rules Against Government in Trentadue Case”
Month: November 2007
Given the recent ruling in the case, this prior column on the scandal and saga of Kenneth Trentadue may be of interest. Continue reading “The Kenneth Trentadue Scandal”
As the election approaches, it is becoming apparent that no one actually supported going to war in Iraq. In separate statements this week, Bill Clinton and Karl Rove revised history and their roles in supporting the Iraq War. Continue reading “Clinton and Rove Revise History on War: It Turns Out That No One Actually Supported the Iraq War”
In the ultimate demonstration of extremism, a school in Sudan has been forced to close in fear that extremists could take violent actions against students or teachers in the aftermath of the controversy over the naming of a class bear “Mohammed.” Lillian Gibbons, a 54-year-old teacher at the Unity High School in Khartoum, was arrested for insulting Islam when she allowed her children to pick the name. Continue reading “School Closed in Sudan to Avoid Violence by Extremists After Mohammed Teddy Bear Incident”
A district court has ordered a military contractor to pay $5 million in damages to the family of Army Lt. Col. Dominic “Rocky” Baragona for his death in Iraq. It is a case that could open the door to more lawsuits against contractors in Iraq. Continue reading “Contractor Ordered to Pay $5 million to Family of Soldier Killed in Iraq”
A case is brewing in California that could revisit controversies over constitutional taking of private property and the common law concerning public easements. Douglas Rigg, a 43-year-old architect, is challenging the property owners of a development called Seadrift near Stinson beach that bans the public from use of their beach. Continue reading “California Development Sued for Denying Public Use of Beach: A New Coastal Takings Case?”
An extraordinary torts case is now before the Illinois Supreme Court where a women is continuing a fight to hold the parents of a former lover liable for their failure to tell her that their son had AIDS. A jury found the parents, Elizabeth and Kirkpatrick Dilling liable for $2 million. Continue reading “Illinois: Women Sues Parents of HIV-Positive Fiance for Failing to Disclose Son’s Condition”
A British Appellate court has ruled that a mother should be allowed to prevent a father from learning of the birth of their child and to secretly put the baby up for adoption. Continue reading “British Court: Mother May Conceal Fact of Birth from Father and Put Child Up for Adoption”
In a chilling account, the Saudi woman who was first gang raped and then sentenced to 200 lashes (for being with a male non-family member) has given a full account of her ordeal. The woman’s story is an insight into the plight of woman in a country where they are restricted in their travel and subject to the harshest possible punishments. Continue reading “Saudi Rape Victim Gives Her Chilling Account”
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., entered an Alford plea to criminal trespass — avoiding a trial on assault and battery charges over allegations he pushed a United Airlines baggage employee at Dulles International Airport. Continue reading “Rep. Filner Enters Plea in Criminal Trespass Case”
Thomas Nelson, an Oregon attorney representing two lawyers has filed a public complaint against individuals responsible for the interception of attorney-client communications as part of the NSA domestic surveillance program. Continue reading “Attorney Files Ethics Complaint Detailing Illegal NSA Surveillance Discovered in the Al-Haramain Case”
Luciano Pavarotti’s death appears to have left a perfectly operatic scene of an irate widow and accusations of false friends bent on her destruction. Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovanis, is suing two friends of the singer for defamation based on their claims about the state of her marriage with the star. Continue reading “Widow of Luciano Pavarotti Sues Friends: Seeking $44 Million for Defamation”
In what must count somewhere toward credit, law students have sued American Justice School of Law in Paducah, Ky, for $120 million in a class action lawsuit. Continue reading “Law Students Sue Law School for Racketeering and Fraud”
In a shocking case for the academic community, former University of Penn. Economics professor Rafael Robb has entered a guilty plea in the murder of his wife, Ellen, shortly before Christmas. Continue reading “Former Penn. Econ. Professor Rafael Robb Pleads Guilty to Killing Wife”
The Supreme Court has refused to give a death row inmate, Thomas Arthur, access to critical DNA evidence that he is seeking to prove his innocence. Continue reading “Supreme Court Refuses to Order Access to DNA Evidence Sought to Clear Death Row Inmate”