The Fifth Circuit is on the brink of making history, just not the type of history that anyone would want. Two district court judges — Samuel Kent and Thomas Porteous — are facing calls for impeachment. Both cases now appear quite serious and worsening by the day. Continue reading “Two Federal Judges — Kent and Porteous — in Fifth Circuit Face Possible Impeachment”
Category: Bizarre
In yet another alleged case of taser abuse, Florida Yoga instructor Elizabeth Beeland was tasered by Daytona Beach Officer Claudia Wright for being loud and profane. She was later charged with the highly enigmatic crime of resisting a police officer without violence as well as disorderly conduct. Continue reading “Video: Yoga Instructor Tasered for Being “Loud” and “Profane””
There seems to be an increase in officers accused of crossing the thin blue line to free lance in crime. On the same day, New Orleans officer Danny Lohman was accused of stealing a driver’s money in an invalid arrest while Harrisburg, Pa. officer Joseph Kelly resigned after a prostitute that he allegedly hired walked off with his service weapon. In the meantime, Ryan Osbrink in Oregon has admitted to accidently shooting and killing his wife while practicing a fast draw with his service weapon. Continue reading “Officers In Trouble: One Had Gun Stolen by Prostitute; Another Shoots Wife While Practicing a Fast Draw; Another Accused of Stealing a Driver’s Money”
England is investigating a highly disturbing video directed at child as an apparent recruiting device. This follows other such children terrorism pitches — which mainstream Muslim groups have denounced. Continue reading “Videos Recruit Children as Suicide Bombers — England Investigates Possible Criminal Charges”
One of the least discusses problems in the medical field is substance abuse by practicing doctors. A recent estimate puts as much as 15 percent of physicians nationwide will have a substance abuse problem during their careers and an estimated 7,500 to 8,000 practicing doctors are probably in confidential treatment. Continue reading “An Estimated 15 Percent of Doctors Have Substance Abuse Problems”
The extensive media coverage of the pregnancy of Jamie Lynn Spears — sister of Britney Spears and television star in her own right — has focused on the sensational while ignoring the legal story: the articles describe a technical case of statutory rape. If Aldridge was having sex with Spears at age 15 or 16, he would be subject to a variety of criminal charges. The case should bring some attention to the inconsistent prosecution of statutory rape claims around the country and a reexamination of what we should be trying to achieve in these cases. Continue reading “Can Casey Aldridge Be Criminally Charged with Statutory Rape and other Offenses of Jamie Lynn Spears?”
In what could be an interesting torts case, the respected Mayo Clinic is facing a lawsuit over the bizarre act of Dr. Adam Hansen, chief resident of general surgery, who took a picture of a patient’s penis during surgery. Strip club owner Sean Dubowik has a tattoo at that stop that reads: “Hot Rod.” Continue reading “Respected Mayo Clinic Doctor Facing Lawsuit for Photographing Patient’s Private Parts”
Recently, a viewer asked if I was not a bit too critical of tasers and asked if they were not better than having to resort to guns. The most obvious answer is that tasers are now used by some officers as a first response, though most officers use them appropriately. The choice is not between a taser and a gun. However, the case below shows this perils of such a choice and confusion with Madera officer Marcy Noriega. Continue reading “California Cop Mistakes Gun for Taser and Kills Handcuffed Suspect”
Below is a column on the follies and fears of Christmas — and the five stages of parental holiday survival. Continue reading “A Parental Guide on Surviving Christmas”
The tabloid media are filled with reports that the sister of Britney Spears, Jamie Lynn Spears, is pregnant. What is missing from this coverage, however, is the disconnect with statutory rape cases where this pregnancy would be evidence of a criminal — albeit consensual — act. Jamie’s boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, is reportedly 19. Continue reading “Jamie Lee Spears Pregnancy Raises Questions Over Fairness of Statutory Rape Prosecutions”
Saudi King Abdullah has also pardoned the man who was abducted with a rape victim in the infamous case in Saudi Arabia. A religious court had sentenced the rape victim to 200 lashes and six months in prison. The status of her male companion has been unclear and it has been reported that he was also raped by the attackers and also ordered to be flogged for violating Islamic rules about relationships with unmarried women. What is most remarkable, however, is the defense of the original laws under which they were both sentenced –citing their “torture” as sufficient punishment to teach them “a lesson.” In the meantime, the seven gang rapists received only two to seven years for their crime. Continue reading “Saudi King Pardons Male Companion with Victim in Infamous Rape Case; Says Their “Torture” Taught Them a Lesson”
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern has awarded dancer Michael Flatley (of Rvierdance fame) more than $11 million in his lawsuit against Tyna Marie Robertson, a real estate agent who accused him of rape. Flatley showed that the sex was consensual in the case. In the meantime, Robertson’s former lawyer, D. Dean Mauro has been found to have extorted Flatley and also made a substantial settlement over the case. Continue reading “Riverdance Star Michael Flatley Wins $11 Million Against Woman Who Falsely Accused Him of Sexual Assault”
One of the more interesting constitutional cases is developing in Austin Texas where strip clubs are contesting a $5 fee placed on their customers by the state. State sponsors insist that they are only trying to raise money to help women who are victims of crimes and that the clubs employ many women. However, it is unclear why other businesses with high percentage of women employees are not also singled out for the tax. Continue reading “Strip Clubs Challenge Special Tax on Customers in Texas”
Archbishop Earl Paulk, co-founder of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester Church now faces an allegation from his adult granddaughter, Penielle “Penie” White, that he touched her inappropriately when she was about eight years old. This allegations will be thrown on the top of a growing pile of sexual misconduct allegations against the head of the megachurch. Continue reading “Archbishop Earl Paulk Faces New Allegation of Sexual Misconduct — From His Own Granddaughter”
Fort Thomas, Ky. has a deer problem that may soon be a human problem. The city council is allowing hunting (with bow and arrow) within city limits. Given the number of hunting accidents each year, it seems an invitation for accidents. Continue reading “Kentucky City Allows Deer Hunting Within City Limits”