Category: Criminal law

Going Full Spartacus: Democrats Hold Chest-Thumping Press Conferences to Fuel Anti-ICE Rage

Below is my column on Fox.com on Democratic leaders rushing to outdo each other to ride the rage in the aftermath of the shooting of Renee Good. They are promising everything from arresting ICE officers to defunding the entire agency to stripping officers of their immunity. They are the latest “I am Spartacus” moments and it is playing well to their political base.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Going Full Spartacus: Democrats Hold Chest-Thumping Press Conferences to Fuel Anti-ICE Rage”

Stanford Students Defiant As They Stand Trial for Anti-Israel Property Damage

The five Stanford students accused of vandalism in the 2024 anti-Israel protests are finally being tried for the property damage. No comment more summed up the mentality on many of our campuses than that of German Gonzalez, who declared, “It is ridiculous for me or for any of us co-defendants to be accused of property damage.” There remains a sense of license to commit crimes. Continue reading “Stanford Students Defiant As They Stand Trial for Anti-Israel Property Damage”

“It Saddens Me”: Portland Police Chief Cries in Press Conference After Confirming ICE Account

In Portland, protests have raged after the shooting of two suspects being pursued by ICE officers. Media accounts immediately portrayed the shooting as excessive force on a Hispanic couple in their car. Later, Portland Police Chief Bob Day admitted that they withheld the suspected gang associations of the couple despite the early misleading accounts. Wiping away tears, Day said that he did not want to contribute to the “injustice.” Continue reading ““It Saddens Me”: Portland Police Chief Cries in Press Conference After Confirming ICE Account”

“It was an Outright Murder.” Democratic Politicians Pander to the Mob on ICE Shooting

Below is my column on Fox.com on Democratic politicians and pundits immediately declaring that the ICE officer in Minneapolis is a murderer. There is a method to this madness for politicians such as Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) who are facing primary challenges from the far left. He and others sit like Madam Defarge, simply knitting the names of expendable officers to fuel the mob.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““It was an Outright Murder.” Democratic Politicians Pander to the Mob on ICE Shooting”

The United States Captures Nicolás Maduro and his Wife

In an extraordinary military operation, the United States launched a large-scale military operation in Caracas, Venezuela with special forces seizing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. There is a pending 2020 indictment of Maduro in the Southern District of New York where he is expected to be taken to face prosecution. Continue reading “The United States Captures Nicolás Maduro and his Wife”

“Second or Even Third Hand” Evidence: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Debunks Key J6 Committee Witness

We previously discussed how the J6 Committee and many in the media played up the “bombshell” testimony of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson despite glaring contradictions that were hidden from the public. The J6 Committee denied reports of those contradictions and then delayed the release of directly conflicting testimony as the press played up who Trump allegedly tried to seize control of the Presidential limo to go to Capitol Hill. In his deposition before Congress, former special counsel Jack Smith indicated that Hutchinson’s testimony as unreliable, unsupported, and unusable in any trial. Smith appears to have finally presented a conclusive indictment . . . of the J6 Committee.

Continue reading ““Second or Even Third Hand” Evidence: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Debunks Key J6 Committee Witness”

New York Times Rewrites History Again With Nikole Hannah-Jones

Former New York Times reporter and Howard University professor Nikole Hannah-Jones has long been controversial as a writer who expressly rejects objectivity and neutrality in journalism. That was most evident in her “1619 Project,” which was ridiculed by historians and law professors in claiming that slavery was the driving force behind American independence. Nevertheless, the project was awarded the Pulitzer Prize despite glaring historical errors. Yet, this month, Hannah-Jones is back on the pages of the New York Times again rewriting history. This time, she is praising cop-killer and 1960s revolutionary Assata Shakur (left).

Continue reading “New York Times Rewrites History Again With Nikole Hannah-Jones”

“You Know Who I am Right?” Identity Confusion Leaves Rhode Island Woman Under Fire After Viral Video

What is the next worst thing to being arrested for DUI just before Christmas with a viral video of you berating an officer? Being confused with that person by irate citizens because you share the same name, Maria Bucci. It is particularly unwelcome when you are a substance abuse counselor. Continue reading ““You Know Who I am Right?” Identity Confusion Leaves Rhode Island Woman Under Fire After Viral Video”

Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Found Guilty of Obstruction

A jury in Milwaukee this week proved that it takes more than a robe to act like a judge. On Thursday, Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of the most serious count brought against her in a case that captivated many in the nation. Dugan famously told a fellow judge to wear her robe in the hallway to confront federal officers seeking to arrest a suspect.

Continue reading “Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Found Guilty of Obstruction”

Fellow Judge Delivers Blow to the Defense of Hannah Dugan

The trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan began this week. Yesterday, the defense was delivered a blow from the testimony of the judge, who Dugan enlisted to confront ICE officers seeking to arrest an illegal alien in the courthouse. Judge Kristela Cervera testified that she was pulled into the dispute by Dugan, who she said admitted that she was trying to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz as he evaded officers. Continue reading “Fellow Judge Delivers Blow to the Defense of Hannah Dugan”

“Damn … the Optics”: Newly Released Documents Show Officials Brushed Aside Concerns Over Mar-A-Lago Raid

The Trump Administration has released disturbing emails from the FBI and Justice Department leading up to the unprecedented raid on Mar-a-Lago.  Internal communications confirm that some were expressing doubts about both the basis for probable cause and the need for a raid within the departments. The newly disclosed material also shows how some in the Biden Administration appeared hellbent on carrying out the search even as agents objected that it might not be necessary. Continue reading ““Damn … the Optics”: Newly Released Documents Show Officials Brushed Aside Concerns Over Mar-A-Lago Raid”

Epstein’s Last Casualty Could Be Grand Jury Secrecy

Below is my column in The Hill on the fallout from the release of the Epstein files from grand-jury and congressional investigations. As various figures are hounded over embarrassing emails, we need to ask about the implications of such a wholesale release. One can be in favor of transparency without dismissing the impact on third parties who are not accused of any criminal conduct.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Epstein’s Last Casualty Could Be Grand Jury Secrecy”

The Death of Michael Virgil: Royal Caribbean Faces Major Torts Case Over the Death of a Passenger

Michael Virgil kicks cruise ship door.

Last night, I gave my final in both of my torts classes at George Washington University. I teach dram shop litigation and a new case involving Royal Caribbean could well be part of next year’s lecture. The company is being sued by the family of a 35-year-old man who died aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise after allegedly being served 33 alcoholic drinks and then restrained (and drugged) when he allegedly became violent. Notably, the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. The family has filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Continue reading “The Death of Michael Virgil: Royal Caribbean Faces Major Torts Case Over the Death of a Passenger”

ChatGPT Accused of Encouraging Alleged Serial Stalker in Latest OpenAI Controversy

It is Time to End Our Sedition Addiction

Below is my column in USA Today on the revival of sedition as a speech crime in the United States. Despite my criticism of the Democratic members of Congress over their recent message to American military personnel, this is not a prosecutorial offense and would collapse quickly in court. More importantly, it is the return of a crime long ago criticized by James Madison as a “monster” that should not be prosecuted in the United States.

Here is the column: Continue reading “It is Time to End Our Sedition Addiction”