Category: Bizarre

Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Society

California Judge Orders Special Meals For Inmate To Celebrate “Festivus”

When Malcolm Alarmo King went to Theo Lacy jail in Orange County, he was shocked by the menu: salami sandwiches. A fit former model, King demanded a healthier meal. At the suggestion of his attorney, Fred Thiagarajah, he claimed double portions of kosher (non-salami) meals as part of his belief in Festivus — made famous by a “Seinfeld” episode. To surprise of many, Judge Derek G. Johnson agreed and ordered the special meals to celebrate Festivus.

Continue reading “California Judge Orders Special Meals For Inmate To Celebrate “Festivus”” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering

Attorney Claims Wife’s Lover Arrested Him and Planted Drugs in Failed Frame Up

Attorney Robert Yousefian has brought suit against two Glendale (Cal.) police officers and his estranged wife in a case that reads like a made-for-tv movie. Yousefian was arrested on drug and assault charges by Glendale Police Officer Michael Lizarraga, whom was allegedly having an affair with Yousefian’s wife. He was prosecuted and acquitted of all charges and claims that his wife, Lizarraga, and police Det. Petros Kmbikyan conspired to set him up.

Continue reading “Attorney Claims Wife’s Lover Arrested Him and Planted Drugs in Failed Frame Up” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Society

Former Police Officer Sent to Prison After Sexually Assaulting Illegal Immigrants

Former Anaheim police officer Bradley Stewart Wagner, 62, is going to jail for four years after pleading guilty to sexual assaults against various women. His chosen victims were illegal immigrants whom he threatened to deport if they did not have sex with him.

Continue reading “Former Police Officer Sent to Prison After Sexually Assaulting Illegal Immigrants” →

Bizarre, International, Military, Politics, Religion, Society

With Friends Like This: Karzai Again Proclaims that He Wishes He Was With The Taliban Instead of the United States

We have another encouraging statement from our ally, Afghan President Hamid Karzai who told Gen. David H. Petraeus, U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry and other top Western officials in Kabul that one of his greatest enemies is the United States and that he wished he had gone with the Taliban when he had a chance. Previously, if you recall, Karzai stated that he wanted to actually join the Taliban in fighting the United States, so this is just a reminder.
Continue reading “With Friends Like This: Karzai Again Proclaims that He Wishes He Was With The Taliban Instead of the United States” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, International, Society

Italian Court Increases Sentences For CIA Agents in Kidnapping/Torture Case

An Italian court increased the sentences for 23 CIA agents convicted in absentia for abducting an Egyptian imam as part of the US “extraordinary rendition” program. While President Obama has promised that no one involved in the torture program would be prosecuted and has refused to extradite the CIA employees to Italy, the Italian courts have refused to ignore the violation of Italian laws by the United States.
Continue reading “Italian Court Increases Sentences For CIA Agents in Kidnapping/Torture Case” →

Academia, Bizarre, International, Politics, Society, Things That Tick Me Off

Things That Tick Me Off: Versailles II

Recently I added Versailles (and more specifically its director, Jean-Jacques Aillagon) to our ignoble list of “Things That Tick Me Off.” Now, Aillagon has succeeded in securing a second appearance on this list with the news that he had decided to convert part of Versailles into a hotel. That’s right. To raise money for his plans for the historical site, Aillagon is moving into the hotel business. This is after his widely condemned effort to become an art museum with the obnoxious placement of works by Takashi Murakami throughout the palace.
Continue reading “Things That Tick Me Off: Versailles II” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Indicted . . . Again

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been again criminally charged. This time, he is not only facing a massive federal indictment for corruption but his co-defendants will include his father and three associates over millions of dollars that went to contractors. After his prior conviction, Kilpatrick has not exactly proven an ideal parolee.

Continue reading “Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Indicted . . . Again” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Society

Rand E. Prosecutor: Oregon D.A. Sent To Jail Over Pressuring Women For Sexual Favors

There is a bizarre case in Oregon where a prosecutor has been sentenced to jail for allegedly seeking sex from a woman in a child-support case. Rand E. Overton, Lincoln County deputy district attorney, agreed to a plea deal involving statements made to a women seeking child-support. In a rare sentencing, Overton will actually go to jail for 30 days for the statements and receive two years probation.

Continue reading “Rand E. Prosecutor: Oregon D.A. Sent To Jail Over Pressuring Women For Sexual Favors” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Arrest With Chance of Jail: Television Weather Forecaster Heidi Jones Arrested For False Rape Claim

New York’s WABC/Channel 7 weather forecaster Heidi Jones was arrested for making a false rape claim to police. Jones claimed that she fought off a hispanic male who pulled her into the bushes while she was jogging in Central Park.
Continue reading “Arrest With Chance of Jail: Television Weather Forecaster Heidi Jones Arrested For False Rape Claim” →

Bizarre, Courts, Politics, Society

New Jersey Justice Goes On Strike Over Appointment of Temporary Justice

New Jersey is dealing with a novel strike. New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto had gone on strike in protest to what he believes is the unlawful appointment of a temporary replacement for Justice John Wallace, who was not re-appointed by Gov. Chris Christie. Rivera-Soto believes that there is no authority for such an appointment and has refused to participate in cases with the interloper.
Continue reading “New Jersey Justice Goes On Strike Over Appointment of Temporary Justice” →

Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Politics, Religion

Californian Engineer Charged With Blasphemy After Allegedly Turning Off Loud Speaker At Mosque

In our ongoing coverage of blasphemy prosecutions, the case of Gregory Luke, 64, in Indonesia is a standout. The retired Californian engineer is charged with blasphemy for allegedly turning off a speaker system during Ramadan playing prayers throughout the night. He denies that he did so, but the allegation was enough for a crowd to tear apart his home on Lombok island and Luke to be arrested.
Continue reading “Californian Engineer Charged With Blasphemy After Allegedly Turning Off Loud Speaker At Mosque” →