A lesbian couple has been denied the right to divorce in Rhode Island — seeking to dissolve a license from Massachusetts. While some could claim that anti-gay marriage advocates are now preserving such a union, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled that there is no marriage to dissolve since in that state only men and women can marry. Continue reading “Lesbian Couple Loses Effort to Divorce in Rhode Island”
Category: Constitutional Law
Teenager, Erik Crespo, used his MP3 player to secretly recorded an abusive interrogation by a New York Detective, Christopher Perino, that may not land the detective in jail for perjury. Continue reading “New York Detective Nailed on Perjury Charge By Teen MP3 Recording”
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down an interesting decision that rejects a defense of innocent possession of ammunition by a felon. James Baker of Wichita claims that he was in possession of a speed loader with bullets because he found it on the ground outside of a party and was in the process of turning it in. Continue reading “Court of Appeals Rejects Necessity and Innocence Defenses to Unlawful Possession of Ammunition”
Two leading Democrats, Jane Harman and Jay Rockefeller admitted that they knew that the CIA intended to destroy the tapes of interrogations of a leading al-Qaida figure, but never knew for sure that the destruction was carried out. The startling news raises serious questions of acts of malfeasance by the Bush Administration and nonfeasance by Democratic members. Continue reading “Democrats Admit Knowledge of the CIA’s Plan to Destroy Tapes”
As the Supreme Court deliberates on the most recent Guantanamo Bay cases and whether detainees can be denied of access to a real court, the Washington Post is reporting that American officials held a teenager for years despite their knowledge that he was innocent. Indeed, only months area the U.S. seized Murat Kurnaz in Pakistan, it concluded that he was not guilty. However, he sat for four more years in Cuba. Continue reading “U.S. Held on to Teenager at Guantanamo for Years After U.S. Concluded that He Was Innocent”
There is an extremely interesting case developing in California over the release of graphic photos ofNicole “Nikki” Catsouras, 18, who was decapitated in a two-car crash on a toll road near Lake Forest, California. Continue reading “California Parents Suing Police for Release of Decapitated Daughter Found on Internet and MySpace”
The Bush Administration is proceeding with its plan to train firefighters to help identify terror suspects in a move that could threaten not just civil liberties but the firefighters themselves. Continue reading “Homeland Security to Train Firefighters to Help Identify Terror Suspects”
The season for fights over holiday displays on government property has begun. In addition to the usual constitutional problems of separating church and state, there are more practical problems like the one in Long Beach, New York: avoiding a race to build the biggest or brightest symbol for one faith. Continue reading “New York Residents Demand Equality in Christmas Tree to Menorah Ratio”
Frank Rusek, 69, is accused of killing his wife Erna Sue Rusek, 68, with a shotgun on Feb. 28 and gave two incriminating statements to police. His attorney is now seeking to have the statements suppressed due to the fact that his client was drunk when he waived his rights under Miranda. Continue reading “Pa. Murder Case: Drinking and Confessing Do Not Mix”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has put a criminal contempt vote on the schedule for Thursday in a move that could ultimately call for the prosecution of White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, former White House political director Sara M. Taylor, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and White House Deputy Political Director J. Scott Jennings in their failure to appear or turn over material on the U.S. attorney firings. Continue reading “Senate Judiciary Vote on Criminal Contempt for Rove and Others Set for This Week”
The Bush Administration has switched the government’s position on an important product liability question in a case that could have profound effects for all Americans. At issue in Riegel v. Medtronic Inc., No. 06-179, is whether citizens are preempted or barred from suing a company for a product that was approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration. Continue reading “Supreme Court Hears Important Product Liability Case”
Germany has long investigated Scientology as a cult and a criminal organization. It may now formally ban the organization under a proposal out of Hamburg. Continue reading “Germany Moves to Ban Scientology As a Threat to Human Rights”
Talk show host Michael Savage has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Council on American-Islamic Relations in an action that threatens journalistis and bloggers and advocacy groups that use material from broadcast and radio programs. The filing seems calculated more to allow Savage to defame an organization than to seek real legal relief. Continue reading “Michael Savage Sues Muslim Group and Attacks Islam”
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that an evangelical program at Iowa’s Newton Newton Correctional Facility violates the First Amendment by using state funds to support a particular religion. Continue reading “Iowa Prison Program that Saves Prisoner “Pagans” is Ruled Unconstitutional”
Talk show host Michael Savage has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Council on American-Islamic Relations in an action that threatens journalistis and bloggers and advocacy groups that use material from broadcast and radio programs. Continue reading “Talk Show Host Michael Savage Sues Muslim Advocacy Group CAIR for Copyright Infringement”