As reported in the media, we resumed hearings this week in the the World Bank case (Chang v. United States) with testimony from the top lawyer at the Metropolitan Police Department, Terry Ryan, as well as other officers.
Because I am co-lead counsel in the case with Dan Schwartz of Bryan Cave, I must remain circumspect in what I can say about the case. Frankly the most distressing thing about the hearings for me thus far is that the sketch artist caught my double chin. What happened to artistic license?
Best film ever on the criminal justice system:
Double chin….. And your representing Mr. Chang….. Oh so very good…..
MikeA,
I knew you would come up with a remedy.
Blouise,
Not only a double chin, but a what’s it called with bourbon in your coat pocket, next to your heart.
One said Bush first, I’d say the banks and oil subsidies first. Bush was only a stooge, enabled and programmed. Start at the source, money drives us before it…..weeping and wailing.
MIkeS,
“….equally important second issue, which is that the World’s economy has been taken over by people who are un-elected and have selfish intent.”
Like Bush those visible although well-paid are only figureheads. The decisions are made elsewhere, No news to anybody but worth pointing out perhaps.
What worries me most is that “smart money” is baiing out.
But to what advantage? Even if they exchange it for foreign currency and re-invest; then if our economy becomes a depression or worse, then fhe world follows us down the drain. Even the Icelanders are dependent on there being a market. Or can they live on fish alone?
Maybe we don’t need a depression—->>>rebellion.. Maybe the rich have made a mistake.
Hard to believe.
How is the price of gold doing? Up i presume. The ultimate refuge.
Civil war anyone? All west of the Mississippi say AYE.
You should file a formal protest when his artistic license comes up for renewal before the Federal Courtroom Artists Commission.
Another story of police acting like criminals, raping women while threatening to jail them if they did not comply. LAPD sat on this for at least 2 years:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/04/lapd-officers-investigated-forcing-women-sex?CMP=twt_gu
Update on the roadside body cavity search issue out of Texas.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Second-Trooper-Suspended-Over-Roadside-Cavity-Search-185613321.html?dr
Question for the witness:
Yep, a very common response, I don’t recall. To which we always wonder “is it your choice not to recall or actual physical inability to recall?”
and “Had anyone instructed you to claim you can not recall?”
I was reading about the World Bank case yesterday. The days have now passed since the fiscal cliff showed up here on our beach. We are at the bottom of it of course. Where was the World Bank on that one? I wonder if the World Bank has ATM machines.
I agree with Blouise about the importance of this case and how great it is that Jonathan is involved. That the protests were targeted is one issue and hopefully a successful verdict in that case will focus on the equally important second issue, which is that the World’s economy has been taken over by people who are un-elected and have selfish intent.
JT is holding their feet to the fire.
As it should be.
Ah, vanity … back in the day a lawyer without a double chin was considered wet behind the ears.
That being said … this case is very important in our on going struggle … gird your loins, my good fellow, for this pro bono work is vital and necessary and deeply appreciated by those of us who have faced the reality of the cordon.
Thanks for this update.
Accountability, accountability, accountability. It’s the only path that will lead us to a better place. Start with the Bush gang and then move on to the bankers. As for Terry Ryan, in this case? Hold him accountable, too.
From the media piece:
“The chief counsel for the D.C. Police Department recanted testimony Thursday he had previously given in an ongoing obstruction of justice investigation.
Terry Ryan told the court he can’t remember key details of a 2011 meeting with the chief of police — a meeting called to discuss possible evidence tampering in the 2002 arrests of hundreds of people in Pershing Park.
“In a deposition with the court, Assistant Chief Anzallo says Ryan was ordered by Chief Lanier to tell Judge Facciola about the evidence tampering, but Ryan admitted he did not.
Ryan admitted he could have forgotten a direct order from the chief.
But when Turley asked if Ryan had ever done that before, the chief counsel replied, “I don’t think so.”
“It’s a soap opera that just doesn’t end,” said Kristopher Baumann with the Fraternal Order of Police. “And every time a District witness gets on the stand, it just looks worse and worse for them.”
Baumann has been closely watching this case for years and notes it has cost District taxpayers millions of dollars.
“The numbers are astronomical,” said Baumann. “There are six, seven attorneys sitting in there that D.C. taxpayers are paying for because of the misdeeds of a group of high-ranking individuals who have not been held accountable for anything they have done.”
After his previous testimony in November, Ryan retained his own criminal defense attorneys and admitted in court he has not been disciplined for any of his actions in the litigation of the arrests in Pershing Park.
The plaintiffs in the civil case have asked Judge Facciola if they can call Chief Lanier to the stand and question her about the 2011 meeting Ryan says he doesn’t remember much about. As of Thursday, the judge has not ruled.”