We recently discussed the arrest warrant issued for Wyndham Lathem and Oxford University Andrew Warren for the murder of Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, 26. They have now been arrested. Lathem, 42, who reportedly left a video of apology for his “big mistake” to his family back in Chicago, reportedly turned himself in in Oakland, California after fleeing with Warren, 56. Warren surrendered in San Francisco.
Continue reading “Northwestern Professor Arrested For Murder With Alleged Accomplice”
Today Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to discuss a new leak crackdown, but he will have to deal with questions raised by one of the most massive leaks in recent memory. Someone has leaked the entire transcripts of two heated January phone calls with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The conversations are deeply embarrassing for the Administration because they directly contradict statements made by Trump to the public. These transcripts would also be likely classified, making their release a federal offense.
One would think that with President Donald Trump at record low polling in the 30s (and Congress with even lower polling around 10 percent favorability), the Administration would not be struggling to find a cause further irritate the American public. However, Attorney General Jeff Sessions appears on the brink of doing just that. Despite many states either legalizing or moving to legalize marijuana, Sessions is expected to announce a new crackdown on the multi-billion industry. Not only will the crackdown threaten billions in taxes now collected by these states, but it will contravene the wishes of roughly half of the population. Indeed, according to the latest Harvard-Harris survey 86 percent of Americans now support either legalizing pot for either recreational or medicinal use or both. Indeed, 49 percent want pot legalized outright for recreational use. The Administration however is about to go on a direct collision course with many states — including red states — that has legalized marijuana.
In Great Britain,Wayne Esmonde, 35, is a bit put out. The fugitive is beside himself over the mugshot being posted in the search. The picture is distinctly “unflattering” in his view and he has asked that it be discarded by police.
Continue reading “Fugitive Contacts Police To Object To “Unflattering” Mugshot On Wanted Posters”
Below is my column in The Hill Newspaper on the most recent allegation of criminal conduct by President Donald Trump or his family. Added to the ever-lengthening list of clear crimes is now witness tampering despite the fact that it does not come close to any prior definition of that crime. Both Professor Lawrence Tribe and CNN Legal Analyst Norm Eisen (Eisen previously said that Trump’s conversations with James Comey could constitute witness tampering) have claimed that Trump’s dictating or contributing to the statement of his son, Donald Jr., on the Russian meeting establishes the basis for such a charge. I obviously disagree.
Here is the column.
Continue reading “Gambino-Lite: Accusing Trump Of A Half-Truth Does Not Constitute A Whole Crime”
An arrest warrant was issued Monday for Northwestern Prof. Wyndham Lathem, 42, in connection with the stabbing death of Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, 26, a cosmetologist from Michigan. Police are also seeking University of Oxford employee Andrew Warren, 56. The stabbing occurred at Lathem’s address and Cornell-Duranleau’s body showed lacerations.
Continue reading “Chicago Police Issue Warrant To Arrest Northwestern Professor For Murder”
In a remarkable departure from his own Chief Executive, the acting head of the Drug Enforcement Agency Chuck Rosenberg has repudiated the remarks of President Donald Trump that encouraged law enforcement officers to abuse criminal suspects. We previously discussed those irresponsible remarks. While the White House dismissed questions from reporters by saying that the President was just joking, it did not explain why the President would think it was funny to harm suspects or what message such a joke sends to law enforcement after assuring them that “we have your back.” Rosenberg told DEA officers that the President was condoning police misconduct and that he would not.
Continue reading “DEA Head Repudiates Trump’s Comments Encouraging The Abuse Of Suspects”
The Washington Post is reporting that President Donald Trump personally dictated the misleading statement issued by Donald Trump Jr. about his meeting with a Russian leader — a meeting that was expressly set up to received damaging information from the Russian government on Hillary Clinton. The report that the President became personally involved in the statement — which inaccurately portrayed the meeting — is yet another example of an operation that has stumbled through scandal after scandal. Where most Administrations would have actively insulated the President from any role in the statement, Trump directed events and dictated the four-line statement that would be issued by his son.
Controversial statements by President Donald Trump in the past have often been treated by his supporters as hyperbole or not to be taken strictly or even seriously. However, a speech last Friday had some particularly chilling elements for anyone who believes in the rule of the law. Trump was speaking to law enforcement officers and urged them not to be “too nice” to suspected criminals and gang members. He further seemed to encourage intentional acts of harm and abuse in the handling of prisoners. The comments were irresponsible and should be be corrected by the White House. We recently discussed Trump’s praise for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has bragged about extrajudicial killings and encouraged police abuse. This is obviously not that extreme but it is still highly disturbing in a speech where the President has pledged that “We have your backs 100 percent” while encouraging them to be rough in handling of suspects. His comments have led to police organizations publicly rejecting the comments and assuring the public that they will not engage in such conduct.
There is an interesting case out of Michigan where the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that a man can be charged with driving while intoxicated on his own private driveway. The case against Gino Rea of Northville was reinstated in this decision (PDF) after the court found that the law encompasses any area accessible to motor vehicles, even if it is on private property.
The case of Sergio Jose Martinez, 31, in Portland, Oregon is likely to magnify the current debate over sanctuary cities. Martinez broke into the home of a 65-year-old woman and sexual assaulted her. He then stole her car and proceeded to assault another woman. He was finally arrested after a chase by police. It was discovered that Martinez was previously arrested and, despite a long criminal history and an immigration detainer, was released by authorities. He has been deported 20 previous times and has at least five probation violations.
Continue reading “Oregon Case Renews Debate Over Sanctuary Laws”
I am in Chicago, my hometown, to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday. I always love coming home to his city, but which is beautiful in the summer. I took the kids swimming in Lake Michigan with huge waves and a perfect day. However, the city is reeling from an ever-rising murder rate. Just four years ago, the city passed 400 homicides around Thanksgiving. We just passed that mark in July in what could be a record bloody year in the Windy City.
Continue reading “Chicago On Pace For Record Year Of Homicides With 400 Murders”
Below is my column in USA Today on the possibility of a “Doomsday scenario” where President Donald Trump first fired (or forces the resignation) of Jeff Sessions and then moves to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. That scenario was reinforced yesterday with reports that Trump has discussed firing Sessions and giving a recess appointment to his successor — the very scenario laid out earlier in this column. In addition, Trump blasted Sessions again yesterday — this time criticizing him for not replacing Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, whose wife ran for office in Virginia in 2015 and received large contributions from the Democratic Party.
Trump’s unrelenting criticism of Sessions is occurring at the same time as new leaks about his discussing not just a replacement but a recess appointment — something the Democrats have vowed to prevent. The question is whether some Republicans might join in that effort to prevent the type of Doomsday scenario laid out in this earlier column.
Defense counsel often discuss demeanor in court with our clients. One thing that we all agree on is that it is a uniquely bad idea to smirk during victim statements, particularly in a murder case. That is one lesson Danta Wright, 17, did not learn and it almost cost him the plea bargain negotiated with prosecutors.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), the former Democratic National Committee chairwoman, has been under intense criticism over her retention of Imran Awan as a technology aide. While other members severed connections to Awan after he was accused of wrongdoing months ago, Wasserman Schultz retained him. He has now been arrested at Dulles International Airport in an alleged attempt to flee the country.