Category: Criminal law

‘You Have This Superpower”: Jury Nullification Becomes the Latest Attack on the Court System

Below is my column on campaigns on the left to enlist citizens in jury nullification. It is the latest assault on the integrity of our courts. Long supported by far-left law professors and pundits, it encourages potential jurors to disregard the evidence and the law in rendering a form of social justice.

Here is the column: Continue reading “‘You Have This Superpower”: Jury Nullification Becomes the Latest Attack on the Court System” →

“I am Trying to Figure Out the Way to Do This”: MS NOW, Omar, and the Art of the Evasion

Below is my column in Fox.com on the recent MS NOW interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar. The most impressive aspect of the segment with Chris Hayes was how he could conduct an extended interview without actually asking long-standing, unanswered questions. When it comes to the art of evasion, it was a masterpiece. In case you are curious, here are the questions not asked of Rep. Omar.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““I am Trying to Figure Out the Way to Do This”: MS NOW, Omar, and the Art of the Evasion” →

French Police Identify Antifa as the “Ideologically Distinct Group” Behind the Riots Despite Democratic Denials

Years ago, I called Antifa the Keyser Söze of the left, after the character in “The Usual Suspects.” In the film, the character Virgil explains how Söze stayed in the shadows: he became “a myth, a spook story that criminals tell their kids at night.” The strategy was too simple: “the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”

Democratic leaders have long fostered the myth around Antifa, the largest and most violent group on the political left. For years, they have denied the existence of the group even as members were charged with crimes (including terrorism). Now, the French authorities have found that the nonexistent group is the largest of three “ideologically distinct groups” responsible for the violence in France. It appears that either the entire French security system is delusional or the trick is up for the American left.

Continue reading “French Police Identify Antifa as the “Ideologically Distinct Group” Behind the Riots Despite Democratic Denials” →

“I Want that Deterrence Message”: Did Michigan Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin Just Go Full Kurtz?

This election, Democrats have careened to the far left with calls to pack the Supreme Court, unleash a flurry of impeachments, and investigate Republicans. Few, however, have been as honest as Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D., Mich.) about the purpose of such threats. Slotkin recently said the quiet part out loud in an interview at my alma mater, the University of Chicago, admitting she wants to deter young people from even considering supporting the Administration… if they know what is good for them. Slotkin seemed to go full Col. Walter Kurtz in the middle of the interview.

Continue reading ““I Want that Deterrence Message”: Did Michigan Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin Just Go Full Kurtz?” →

The Coming Out of Jack Smith: A Former Special Counsel Joins the “No Kings” Movement

Below is my column in The Hill on the appearance of Jack Smith in a “No Kings” T-Shirt just days after his testimony on Capitol Hill, claiming to have had no bias or agenda against Trump. Smith must have known that his presence and dress at the “Power to the People” concert would be widely circulated on the Internet. His message was clear, but entirely unnecessary given his record as Special Counsel.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Coming Out of Jack Smith: A Former Special Counsel Joins the “No Kings” Movement” →

Letitia James Appointed Special Counsel Despite Suggesting the Guilt of the Accused

Below is my column in the New York Post on the Cornell rape case and the appointment of Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the allegations. With Democratic politicians and pundits already pronouncing guilt before any charges, let alone a trial, the appointment of James follows an all-too-familiar pattern in high-profile criminal cases. James previously pronounced the guilt of the students before she was appointed by New York Gov. Hochul as the special prosecutor. James publicly denounced what the accuser had “been forced to endure” and called her case “horrific and unacceptable.” She added that, with “all survivors,” that “we stand with you.” It is a signature of James’s notorious approach to prosecutorial ethics.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Letitia James Appointed Special Counsel Despite Suggesting the Guilt of the Accused” →

“Free Luigi”: Rutgers Professor Calls for the Liberation of Accused Murderer Mangione

Roxane Gay is the Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture, and Feminist Studies at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. She currently serves as the artist-in-residence at Harvard Medical School and called this week for the “liberation” of accused assassin Luigi Mangione. Gay (the cousin of former Harvard University President Claudine Gay) is the latest example of the radical chic of higher education.

The October Term: A Preview of the Coming Cases for Another “Big Year” on the Court

Below is my column in The Hill with a preview of the coming October Term at the Supreme Court. It already has the making of another “big year” on the Court.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The October Term: A Preview of the Coming Cases for Another “Big Year” on the Court” →

From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington appears to be moving from zealous advocacy to virtual stalking in the Lindsay Clancy case. Reddington is seeking phone records, surveillance, and criminal records of Michael Desronvil, the now-identified juror who held out in the 11-1 hung jury decision. Reddington’s demand follows his unprofessional attack on the juror on the courthouse steps after the trial. Continue reading “From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror” →

Palestinian Activist Defaces Churchill Statue and Boasts About it in Court…British Jury Finds Him Not Guilty

Winston Churchill, an avid painter, always said that “audacity” is the key to every artist. If so, Caspar San Giorgi, 39, has a good start on an artistic career in Great Britain. The Palestinian activist, who is reportedly Dutch and also goes by the name of Olax Outis, took a ladder and a box of spray paint in February to deface the famous statue of Churchill in Parliament Square. Despite his admitting to the crime and rejoicing in it, a British jury just found him not guilty in a blatant act of jury nullification. Continue reading “Palestinian Activist Defaces Churchill Statue and Boasts About it in Court…British Jury Finds Him Not Guilty” →

F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation

Below is my column in the New York Post on the referral of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for possible criminal prosecution by a federal judge. Judge Paul Diamond is only the latest jurist to reach the breaking point with Krasner, who has used a mix of rage and race politics to stay in office.

Here is the column: Continue reading “F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation” →

Self-Defense or Reckless Homicide? Indiana Homeowner Arrested After Shooting Alleged Felon

In my torts class, we just discussed the privilege of self-defense, the Castle Doctrine, and statutory Stand Your Ground laws. There is a new case out of Indiana where Martell Pickens, 30, is facing reckless homicide charges for the shooting of Khadolphee Taylor, 25, outside his Fort Wayne home. The case shows the conflicts that arise in the application of both common law and statutory privileges in the use of lethal force.
Continue reading “Self-Defense or Reckless Homicide? Indiana Homeowner Arrested After Shooting Alleged Felon” →

The Abolitionist Movement: Professor Argues for “Care and Accountability Circles” as an Alternative to Prisons

The prison abolitionist movement has been gaining steam across the country with the rise of radical left candidates such as New York’s Darializa Avila Chevalier, who will soon be a member of Congress. Many have asked what will replace prisons in the post-carceral society. Seattle University law professor Dean Spade has the answer: care and accountability circles.  If you are having that My Cousin Vinny moment of “you were serious about Dat?,” the answer is, yes, they are indeed very serious about that. Continue reading “The Abolitionist Movement: Professor Argues for “Care and Accountability Circles” as an Alternative to Prisons” →

The Clancy Trial: When “Twelve Angry Men” Becomes One Angry Man

Below is my column on the attack unleashed by defense counsel Kevin Reddington on the holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy case. As I said immediately during the coverage, I considered the attack utterly reprehensible and worthy of intervention by Judge William Sullivan. Reddington went out of his way to fuel the anger against this one juror, a dangerous and unprofessional play to the mob.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Clancy Trial: When “Twelve Angry Men” Becomes One Angry Man” →