Tom Cruise has long proclaimed his faith in Scientology. Now, however, he is reportedly preparing a lawsuit against author Andrew Morton for his book, Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography, in which he details an assortment of cult-like episodes involving Cruise and states that Cruise is now the de facto second-in-command of the Church. If filed, it could prove a fascinating case since discovery would probably not appeal to the notoriously secretive Church of Scientology. Among other things, Morton would be entitled to call Scientology leader David Miscavige, who is discussed at length in the book. Continue reading “Tom Cruise Reportedly Preparing Defamation Suit Against Andrew Morton’s Book on His Scientology Practices”
Category: Bizarre
Authorities in Lewisville, Texas believe that Yaser Abdel Said, 50, shot his daughters Sarah Yaser Said, 17, and Amina Yaser Said, 18, in his taxi as an honor killing. It is not clear whether this was the motive. Such a honor killing would follow an equally disturbing case involving a homicidal father and the Indian caste system. Continue reading “Texas Officials Investigate Whether Father’s Shooting of Two Daughters Was a Muslim Honor Killing”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is under fire this week for issuing what is viewed as a slap on the wrist to one of its members: Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler. Ziegler violated fundamental conflict of interests rules by presiding over cases where she had an obvious conflict of interest. Public interest advocates noted that attorneys are routinely suspended for such violations by the courts. The case seems to follow recent cases of judges protecting their own while pursuing critics. Continue reading “The Thin Black Line: Wisconsin Supreme Court Reprimands Justice Annette Ziegler – Refusing More Serious Discipline for Violating Conflicts of Interest Rules”
The Christa Worthington murder case has taken a surprising turn as jurors allege that racism played a role in the conviction of Christopher McCowen for the crime. The allegations are strikingly similar to those of a juror in the recent conviction of John White in New York. What is remarkable is that the judge in the Worthington murder case has decided to call the jurors to address the allegations in open court. Continue reading “Jurors Allege Racism and Coercion in Murder of Fashion Writer Christa Worthington”
Attorneys have long had to deal with the ethical problem of representing clients who do not take their legal advice or act against their own interest. In such cases, they may ultimately have no choice but to seek termination of the representation, even in the midst of litigation. That is precisely what counsel has done with Britney Spears, seeking to leave en masse from further representation in her custody battle with Kevin Federline. One lawyer, however, continues to work on the criminal side to try a novel argument to avoid a criminal conviction. For lawyers, it is like watching the world’s longest car wreck. Yet, there is an intriguing legal issue here on the status of celebrities for the purposes of state violations. Continue reading “Attorneys Seek to Drop Britney Spears While One Remains to Try Novel Criminal Defense”
The Indian caste system is known to cause violence in India, but a multiple murder case near Chicago has raised the specter of such violence in the United States. Prosecutors say Subhash Chander, an immigrant from India, used gasoline to burn alive his pregnant daughter, son-in-law and their child because he believed that his daughter married beneath her class. Continue reading “Indian Caste System Alleged as Cause of Murder of Family by Father Near Chicago”
Rev. Joseph Sica, 52, a Roman Catholic priest was arrested on perjury charges in Harrisburg this week and accused of lying about his relationship with a mobster in testimony to a grand jury. It is a fascinating case. Often such cases involve first amendment protections for priests, but this indictment is based on alleged social ties and not some confessional issue. Continue reading “Priest Indicted for Lying to Grand Jury About Connections to Mob Boss”
Tennessee judge John B. Hagler has resigned in a bizarre scandal over a tape that reportedly records him enrages in violent and disturbing sexual fantasies. While everyone is calling for the tapes release, however, it is worth considering who released a tape that was found not to be evidence of a crime and protected by privacy. After all, Hagler is entitled to his own private fantasies so long as he does not hurt anyone else or commits a crime. Continue reading “Tennessee Judge Resigns After Sexually Deviant Tape is Disclosed”
Arizona law student and judicial clerk, Kumari Fulbright, 25, is about to get a close exposure to the criminal justice system after her arrest for the allegedly kidnapping and torturing an ex-boyfriend. Continue reading “Law Student and Judicial Clerk Charged with Kidnapping, Torturing, and Robbing Victim”
David J. Pfahler, 60, is suing for $75,000 over a negligent skier who he claims dislocated his shoulder and caused a rotator cuff tear. Sounds like a standard case of a burgeoning number of ski torts. However, the accused in his case is Scott Swimm, a boy who was seven years old at the time. It is only the latest tort case that will explore the liability of a minor. Continue reading “60-Year-Old Sues 7-Year-Old for Skiing Accident In Vail”
There is a curious trend developing in leading democratic systems: a return to dynastic preferences in government. With Hillary Clinton still leading in the U.S. polls, other nations have embraced dynastic lines of successions under a democratic process like Argentina and now the leading opposition party in Pakistan. Continue reading “Are the World’s Democracies Turning into Dynastic Systems?”
According to reports, the FBI is returning to the search for the famous D.B. Cooper, the mysterious skyjacker who robbed an airliner in 1971 and then parachuted to an unknown future. The FBI’s release of a new picture raises the disturbing question of whether D.B. Cooper is hiding in the open: as presidential candidate Ron Paul. Continue reading “Is Ron Paul the Real D.B. Cooper?”
In a nightmare befitting Homer Simpson, doughnut thief Scott A. Masters, 41, was facing 30 years in jail for stealing a doughnut and shoving a store employee. The case produced a national outcry and the court recently sentenced him to a five-year suspended sentence, five years of probation and 90 days in the county jail, including time he has served since Sept. 19. He was released this month. Continue reading “Doughnut Thief Spared 30 Years, Receives Five-Year Suspended Sentence Plus 90 days in County Jail”
Another member of the Long Island jury that found John White guilty of manslaughter in Long Island has emerged to claim coercion or pressure in reaching the verdict. Previously, a white juror in a racially controversial murder case has gone public with a claim that he felt pressured by the judge and fellow jurors to convict John White, a black man found guily of killing a white teen, Daniel Cicciaro. It is a claim that is likely to produce more of a political and social response than a legal response. Instead, the defense is likely to challenge the judge’s instructions in the case. Continue reading “Another Juror Comes Forward to Claim Coercion in White Case”
The meaning of standard immorality clauses in teaching contracts has long been a source of controversy. Such clauses tend to be very ambiguous and can sweep protected (but unpopular) activities within their scope. Now, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued an opinion upholding an interpretation of the clause for that state, ordering a new hearing for Sherie Leigh Vrable, 49, of Washington Township in Fayette County, who was fired as a teaching assistant in an emotional support class with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. The immorality cited was her overdose of a drug at the school. Continue reading “Pennsylvania Supreme Court Reverses Teacher’s Firing Under Immorality Clause”