Category: Bizarre

Video: Huckabee Takes Hard Stand in Favor of Christmas in New Ads

We are all used to seeing cars with “Jesus is my co-pilot” and songs that say “Drop Kick Me Jesus through the Goal Post of Life,” but Mike Huckabee appears to be running with (or at least for) Jesus in an upcoming ad. The ad (to be shown in key states this month) is set in front of a Christmas tree and shows Huckabee saying that he wants to put politics aside — and just celebrate the birth of Jesus with voters. Continue reading “Video: Huckabee Takes Hard Stand in Favor of Christmas in New Ads”

Wealthy Couple Convicted in Slavery Case in New York

In a rare criminal case, a New York jury convicted a millionaire perfume makers Mahender Murlidhar Sabhnani, 51, and Varsha Mahender Sabhnani, 45, of enslaving two Indonesian housekeepers while using bizarre forms of punishments like forced eating of hot peppers and vomit. While the defense insists that the allegations are merely “histrionics,” the jury clearly found the two women credible and convicted the wealthy couple. Continue reading “Wealthy Couple Convicted in Slavery Case in New York”

Man Repeatedly Tasered for Leaving Courthouse Briefly with Court File

In the latest taser outrage, Edward Casey, who left a courthouse briefly to retrieve money to pay a fine, was tackled and repeatedly tasered by police. What is truly amazing is that U.S. District Judge Robert E. Blackburn did not feel that this was a viable claim of police abuse. Fortunately, the Tenth Circuit did not agree.   Continue reading “Man Repeatedly Tasered for Leaving Courthouse Briefly with Court File”

Witness: Government Contractor Called Rendition Transfers “Torture Flights”

In an extraordinary statement, an employee for the government contractor Jeppensen International Trip Planning ( a Boeing subsidiary) referred to flights taking individuals to other countries as part of the Bush Administration’s “extraordinary rendition” program as “torture flights.”  The company director, Bob Overby, reportedly told an August 2006 breakfast of new employees, that these were torture flights but that the flights paid well.  Continue reading “Witness: Government Contractor Called Rendition Transfers “Torture Flights””

Gonzales No Longer ABA Journal’s “Lawyer of the Year”

The American Bar Association Journal has received a torrent of irate messages over its announcement that disgraced former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would be named 2007 Lawyer of the Year. It has renamed its annual selection to be “Newsmaker of the Year” to try to quell the national riot among lawyers. Continue reading “Gonzales No Longer ABA Journal’s “Lawyer of the Year””

Judge Admits to Violating “Unwritten” Rules By Closing Clerk’s Office to Prevent Death Row Final Appeal; Complaints Filed Against Judge Sharon Keller in Texas

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller has been the source of well-earned national contempt since she ordered the doors of the court clerk’s office to prevent a last-minute appeal in a death row row — an appeal that should have been granted but was denied and Michael Richard executed. Now, she admits to violating court procedures and has announced written rules to prevent other judges from doing the same thing. Presumably, the written rules will prevent others from abandoning fundamental standards of due process and decency, Continue reading “Judge Admits to Violating “Unwritten” Rules By Closing Clerk’s Office to Prevent Death Row Final Appeal; Complaints Filed Against Judge Sharon Keller in Texas”

Was the Knoxville District Attorney Intentionally Trampled to Death?

Wives have historically used a great assortment of methods to kill their husbands from poison to guns to knives to cars. However, Raynella Dossett-Leath is under suspicion of murdering Knoxville District Attorney Ed Dossett by first drugging him and then trampling him to death with his own cattle. The allegations have come to light after prosecutors sought to exhume the body — and Dossett-Leath awaits trial for the murder of her second husband. Continue reading “Was the Knoxville District Attorney Intentionally Trampled to Death?”

Attackers Cut Off “Magic Leg” of Hindu Holy Man

Yanadi Kondaiah is an 80-year-old Hindu holy man who claimed , who that those who touched his leg would be cured of illness or have wishes granted.  It appears that the leg was too tempting a prize for some:  Two men lured the holy man into private — saying that they wanted to buy him a drink for having touched his magic leg.  They then cut off his leg with a sickle — presumably to use it for other magical cures. Yet, such beliefs are not confined to the Hindu faithful.  Continue reading “Attackers Cut Off “Magic Leg” of Hindu Holy Man”

Florida Lawyer May Be Disbarred for Criticizing Judge in Blog — While the Judge Stands Trial for Judicial Misconduct

There is a bizarre fight brewing in Florida between a lawyer and judge over their respective alleged misconduct.  Lawyer Sean Conway faces discipline for attacking Judge Cheryl Alemán is facing possible discipline before the Judicial Qualifications Commission.  At issue are not just standards of professional and judicial conduct, but the first amendment. Continue reading “Florida Lawyer May Be Disbarred for Criticizing Judge in Blog — While the Judge Stands Trial for Judicial Misconduct”