Category: Criminal law

Bizarre, Criminal law, Uncategorized

Car-Hop Spotted in Chicago: Three Charged By Cops

Peter Crotty has some peculiar ideas about his job responsibilities. Crotty, a waiter at Buffalo Wild Wings, in suburban Skokie, Illinois, takes waiting tables and the “Wild” in “Wild Wings” very seriously. When three area teens decided to skip out on their $51.00 bill, Crotty did his best Olivia Newton John (no, not ‘Let’s Get Physical,” it’s “Grease,” silly) and leaped aboard the roof rack of the teens’ SUV. Our earnest garçon rode the vehicle for eight blocks until the vehicle went behind a building and Crotty jumped off. Dutiful as ever, Crotty ran back to the restaurant and finished his shift. Cops were called and made arrests. And you wonder why there are no car-hops around anymore.

Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Source: UPI

Courts, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering, Uncategorized

Does Convicted Cop Equal Reasonable Doubt?

Norfolk, Virginia, Police Detective Robert Glenn Ford had a reputation as a hard-nosed cop who handled most of the City’s high profile criminal cases. Now he’s got another one but it’s his name “across the v” from the Government. Ford was convicted in federal court in Norfolk of extortion and lying to federal investigators. Specifically, the Government alleged that Ford took money from criminal defendants in exchange for helping them get lighter sentences. Ford maintains his innocence and vows to appeal.

Ford handled 200 homicide cases including the infamous “Norfolk 4” case which resulted in four convictions for the rape and murder of  an 18-year-old wife of a Norfolk sailor. Ford was accused by lawyers for the “Norfolk 4” of planting jailhouse snitches near in the men’s cell blocks to solicit confessions.

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Animals, Bizarre, Criminal law, Justice, Society

Let My Poodle Go!: Okie Rides Deere To Pound To Free Pet
Run, Buddy Tough, Run!

Edwin Fry, 73, is quite the dog lover. When his pet poodle, aptly named “Buddy Tough,” was nabbed by local police for running “at large,” Fry decided to pull his best Steve McQueen. Refusing to pay the enhanced fine of $100.00  due to Buddy’s repeat offense,  Fry leaped aboard his riding mower and headed straight for the canine hoosegaw where the chain link was no match for the bolt-cutter wielding pet owner. Sadly, the police took a dim view of animal rescue– Fry-style– and arrested him on complaints of second-degree burglary, trespassing, and destruction of city property. He is also facing a misdemeanor charge for (insert drum roll)…. allowing an animal to run at large. Sadder still, Fry got his own pen and Buddy was euthanized.

On a happier note, this “Born Free” attitude is not limited to our shores. Australians love it too as we see here.

Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Source: WPOC 93.1 Website

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

The Annual Halloween Special of Spooky Torts and Crimes

Since I am off to Paris in a few hours, I am posting this list a day early.  Happy Halloween to everyone and good luck to our guest bloggers — Elaine, David, and Mark — who will be blogging from today until the 6th (and possibly the 7th if they have any material left!)

While some cities may be banning teenagers from trick or treating, Halloween remains the favorite holiday of not just of Christine O’Donnell but for all torts professors and personal injury lawyers. Few people know it was invented by Slipitus Fallus, an ancient Roman personal injury lawyer. Common carrier hay rides, lighting vegetables on fire, handing out foodstuffs without a permit . . . It’s the most wonderful day of the year. So, with no further ado, here is this year’s annual Spooky Torts list of actual cases from Halloween (with our past winners).

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Justice, Uncategorized

Does The UCC Cover This: PA Man Complains to Cops About Bad Pot

A consumer-conscious Uniontown, Pennsylvania man called local police to complain about the quality of the marijuana he just purchased. When police arrived, the 21-year-old complained that the pot was “nasty.” A field test by the officers revealed the stash was not marijuana at all, but our boy-genius is not off the hook. He could still be charged with possession of a counterfeit controlled substance. No word yet on whether  the seller takes returns.

I’ve often wondered why possession of  a “counterfeit” controlled substance is a crime at all. Certainly, attempting to sell or selling the counterfeit substance could be punished as criminal fraud, but what is the public policy reason to prevent possession of , say, oregano?  Do we want really want to criminalize even more conduct as we fight the Drug War?

— Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Source: AP

Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering

Former Bar Treasurer and Prominent Lawyer Aaron Biber Sentenced to 18 Years For Sexual Assault of Teenage Boy

Prominent Twin Cities lawyer and former State Bar Treasurer Aaron Biber was sentenced this week to 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. The court reached the sentence by taking an upward departure to increase the jail time. Minnesota law required only 12 years.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Environment, Politics, Society

Do The Lard, Pull Your Card: Baltimore Issues First Ticket Under Trans Fat Ban

The Baltimore City Health Department issued its first citation for a fat recidivist violator: The Healthy Choice. The ironically named business is in fact (according to officials) a shameless pusher of trans fat — found twice with “high trans fat level in their ingredients.” Conversely, the city appears undisturbed that if trans fats are outlawed, only outlaws will have trans fats.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, International

Tattoo Artists Make News With Crimes on Two Continents

James “Jacob” Thompson, 22, was arrested in Texas on a bizarre mix of charges, including the allegation that he agreed to cut out a teenage girl’s birth control device in her arm before giving her a tattoo. What is amazing is that this may not be the worst tattooing crime recorded this week. Australia may have topped Texas this week in the most bizarre felonious tattoo.
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Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Media, Politics, Religion

Wilders Trial Thrown Into Disarray After Judges Found To Be Biased

The trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders for his anti-Islamic views has been thrown into disarray after his judges were found to be themselves biased — against Wilder. A verdict from the panel of three judges at the Amsterdam district court was due next week. A re-trial will be scheduled with new judges.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Viva Il Talibano: Italian Town To Pass Anti-Blasphemy Law and Ban Both Sunbathing and Miniskirts

Castellammare di Stabia appears eager to join the forces in the West cracking down on free speech and expression. The city is moving toward the passage of a blasphemy law — the subject of prior columns and blog entries on a trend against free speech in the West. The city is also planning to ban miniskirts, sunbathing, and playing football in public places. If nothing else, the move will finally give the Taliban a seaside vacation spot to get away from it all.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, International

Randy Quaid and Wife Seek Canadian Asylum To Evade “Hollywood Star-Whackers”

Oscar-nominee Randy Quaid, 60, and his wife Evi, 47, have appeared in Canada with a novel claim for refugee protection — claiming that someone is killing off Quaid’s friends and that the couple needs protection from “Hollywood star-whackers.” Evi has a much better sense of taking a good mugshot.

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